A majority of Indian professionals expect double-digit salary hikes this year as demand for digital and deep-tech skills reshapes the country’s wage market, according to a survey, underscoring how technology-led roles continue to command a premium even amid cautious hiring.
About 58 per cent of professionals anticipate pay increases of more than 10 per cent, driven largely by demand for skills in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, electric vehicles and specialised technical roles, the Adecco India Salary Guide 2026 showed. Overall salary increments across industries are expected to stay in the 6–10 per cent range, signalling a more selective, skills-aligned compensation cycle.
The survey highlighted a complex labour market dynamic, with 42 per cent of professionals actively seeking new roles, while another 47 per cent said they were open to opportunities but not actively searching. That reflects cautious optimism, as workers weigh better pay and skill-led opportunities against economic uncertainty and selective recruitment.
Shortages remain acute in niche areas. Leadership and management skills emerged as the most critical over the next three to five years, cited by 22 per cent of respondents, followed by AI and machine learning at 16 per cent and project management at 15 per cent. High-skill job switches can deliver outsized gains: professionals in clinical research and regulatory affairs may see 20–35 per cent pay jumps, while niche roles in fintech and data finance can command increases of 30–40 per cent, the survey said.
In information technology, AI and machine learning engineers, data engineers and cybersecurity specialists typically see salary hikes of 10–12 per cent, while full-stack, cloud and DevOps engineers average 8–10 per cent. Senior strategic roles, such as chief financial and risk officers in banking and financial services, often attract more than double the typical finance salary. Metro cities including Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi continue to pay 10–20 per cent more than smaller cities.
Retention strategies are also shifting beyond pay. Work-life balance ranked as the top factor keeping employees at firms, followed by professional development and brand reputation. Hybrid work remains dominant, with 43 per cent in hybrid roles, 35 per cent fully remote and 22 per cent fully office-based.
While AI is increasingly viewed as a growth enabler, concerns persist. Around two-thirds of professionals worry that AI-led screening could unfairly exclude qualified candidates, while many fear automation could shrink job opportunities, highlighting the need for transparent adoption of AI in hiring.
Employers are responding with investments in upskilling, leadership development and personalised career plans, though only 30–40 per cent have formal pathways in place, pointing to a gap between intent and execution. As India’s workforce evolves, the report said, long-term advantage will hinge less on headline pay hikes and more on continuous learning and capability building.