Over 50 pc AI-exposed workers see stagnant pay despite hiring premiums: Report
New Delhi, July 15
Employers in India are advertising substantial pay premiums for AI skills even as 54 per cent of workers report stagnant or falling pay, a report said on Wednesday.
The report from Indeed said 66 per cent of employers claim to offer significant salary premiums for AI‑skilled roles, but 54 per cent of AI‑exposed workers said they have not felt it yet.
The firm said over 40 per cent of organisations reported AI roles command an 11-30 per cent premium over non-AI roles. Further, 26 per cent of roles reported offering 31-50 per cent premiums.
Among professionals with direct day-to-day AI exposure, 36 per cent saw zero change in their compensation package, while 18 per cent reported a net decrease in their overall earnings. Only a small minority achieved the high-bracket increases advertised in the external job market.
The report indicated that while the external hiring market aggressively prices AI expertise to attract new talent, internal corporate compensation cycles are lagging significantly, leaving existing mid-career and senior professionals behind.
Sashi Kumar, Managing Director, Indeed India, said that acquisition of AI talent is only one half of the equation and retaining and motivating the workforce that upskills internally is equally important.
"This disconnect creates a dual vulnerability for organisations, sparking job insecurity while accelerating the attrition of senior institutional talent. Winning the AI transition requires organisations to align their internal appraisal models with the real-world value their upskilled employees are generating," Kumar added.
Only 11 per cent of respondents said AI has completely transformed their role, while a combined 65 per cent reported moderate or incremental changes. Around 24 per cent said AI has not yet changed the way they work.
AI is also influencing career decisions as over 51 per cent said AI has influenced the types of jobs they apply for or aspire to, suggesting professionals are proactively adapting their career choices as AI adoption grows.
Nearly 40 per cent of employers now explicitly prioritise demonstrable AI skills and certifications over formal university degrees. Only 9 per cent still prioritise an academic degree alone when evaluating candidates for AI roles.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The report hits the nail on the head. I work in analytics and my friend got a job offer with a 40% premium just because he has a certification in machine learning. Meanwhile, my manager says "we'll see" when I ask about a raise after completing an AI course. Companies need to value internal talent too.
It's a classic case of "new is better" in Indian corporate culture. They'll pay a premium for external hires but won't reward internal upskilling. I've seen this pattern in IT companies especially. The result? People leave, and then companies complain about talent shortage. 🤷♀️
Honestly, I think the hype around AI is a bit overblown. In my team, only 2 out of 20 people actually use AI tools regularly. The rest are just going about their usual work. Companies are creating a fear of missing out (FOMO) to drive down salaries for non-AI roles. Be careful, folks.
I'm a fresher and I'm so confused. Everyone says learn AI, but then I see posts about people with AI skills not getting paid more. Is it worth spending on these certifications? I don't want to invest time and money only to find out the grass isn't greener.
This is a classic case of employers wanting the best of both worlds. They want employees to upskill in AI to stay relevant, but they refuse to pay for it. If companies don't align their internal compensation with market rates, they'll lose senior talent to competitors who will.