&w=3840&q=100)
Tech salaries: Python freshers get ₹11.5 LPA, backend leaders earn ₹49 LPA
At the same time, Tier-2 cities like Indore, Jaipur, and Chandigarh are emerging as serious talent pools, with nearly 35–40% of skilled candidates in key roles now based outside the metros.
Based on 54,000+ candidate profiles and 14,000 recruiter conversations, the report shows backend engineers continue to top the tech pay ladder.
Backend Roles Dominate Salary Growth
Freshers with Python skills now earn up to ₹11.5 lakh per annum, among the highest entry-level salaries in product tech.
Seasoned backend professionals (10+ years) command up to ₹49.4 LPA, especially with expertise in system architecture and scalable infrastructure.
Java and Node.js developers also show steady pay growth, driven by backend-heavy product ecosystems.
Frontend, Mobile Roles See Flat or Falling Early-Career Pay
Entry-level React.js and JavaScript developers have seen a drop of up to ₹1.5 LPA, due to an oversupply of talent.
Salaries rebound only beyond 6 years of experience, with senior frontend developers earning up to ₹36.3 LPA.
Mobile developers—especially Android-focused juniors—have taken a ₹3 LPA pay cut, though iOS and React Native talent is catching up, reflecting the evolution of mobile ecosystems.
DevOps, Cloud Skills Drive Big Paychecks
DevOps remains one of the hottest functions in 2025:
Kubernetes engineers start around ₹6.2 LPA.
AWS-focused team leads can earn up to ₹35.9 LPA, thanks to the growing reliance on secure and scalable cloud infrastructure.
Tier-2 Cities Step Into the Spotlight
While Bengaluru continues to lead in overall tech hiring—particularly in backend (40%), DevOps (30%), and data science (29%)—a geographic shift is underway:
42% of backend engineers and 37% of frontend and mobile app developers are now based outside the top 5 metros.
Tier-2 and RoI (Rest of India) cities are becoming cost-effective talent hubs, offering broader access and flexibility to recruiters.
Flat Early-Career Pay, Higher Stakes for Specialization
The report confirms a plateau in early-career compensation, especially for generalist roles.
Only high-demand niche skills (e.g., full-stack expertise, cybersecurity, or AI/ML) now enable fresher salaries to grow faster.
Companies are rewarding depth over breadth, with growing preference for engineers who can deliver high-impact features, not just code volume.
Gender Gaps Persist, But Some Roles Show Promise
Gender diversity remains a significant concern in India's tech hiring landscape. The report reveals that backend and network roles continue to be heavily male-dominated, with an 85:15 male-to-female ratio. DevOps, cybersecurity, and database roles show similar disparities.
However, functions such as testing and quality assurance, data science, and certain frontend roles demonstrate relatively better inclusion, with a 70:30 male-female ratio in some pockets. Despite the industry's stated focus on DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion), companies are now prioritizing deep tech capability and specialization over diversity quotas in high-demand tech roles like AI, cloud, and data engineering.
Top Skills for 2025: Java, Python, AWS, and Android
The report identifies Java, Python, and Node.js as the most preferred backend skills. Java remains a staple, showing fivefold salary growth from entry-level to senior roles. In the data science arena, Python leads with 25% candidate preference, followed by Java and machine learning.
For DevOps, AWS and Jenkins dominate in terms of compensation and popularity. Monitoring and CI/CD skills are seeing high adoption, with cost-optimization becoming a key hiring criterion.
Mobile development continues to favor Android, though iOS and React Native are slowly gaining ground. Android holds 52% candidate preference, but the share has dropped slightly, indicating diversification in the mobile development stack.
Testing and QA roles see Selenium as the preferred specialization, while in networks, CCNA and network security command the most attention. In IT security, information security and app security are ahead of cloud security, though the latter still holds strategic importance in multi-cloud deployments.
Where the Talent Lives: Hottest Locations by Function
Bangalore accounts for the highest share of experienced tech professionals across backend, DevOps, and data science. Hyderabad is a close second for backend and cybersecurity, while Pune is making inroads in testing, QA, and database management.
RoI dominates early-career talent distribution in nearly every function. For example:
42% of backend talent is based in RoI.
37% of frontend and mobile app talent is in RoI.
35% of data science, IT security, and network professionals are also located outside the top metros.
As Sarbojit Mallick, Co-founder of Instahyre, noted, 'The future of hiring lies in identifying deep tech talent early, investing in skill development, and being agile in workforce planning. Those who upskill and adapt will lead the pack.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
AI talent gap: Savvy freshers bag 4x more pay
Representational Image BENGALURU: Technology companies are facing a significant shortfall in AI-specialised talent, with just 15-20% of the workforce trained in artificial intelligence. This has prompted a shift in hiring strategies across the sector. From major IT services firms like HCLTech to digital engineering players like Publicis Sapient and emerging AI startups such as StaqU, the message is consistent: the available talent pool is struggling to match the rapidly growing demand. "There just aren't that many people in the market with AI skills," said Shefali Sharma Garg, chief people officer at Publicis Sapient. "Our approach is to hire agile talent who can evolve as AI matures. It's moving fast, and adaptability is key." The most sought-after roles include engineers skilled in building, training, and deploying AI models, as well as professionals capable of working alongside intelligent systems to drive business outcomes. As a result, compensation for individuals with specialised AI expertise has spiked. HCLTech reports offering up to four times the standard entry-level salary for freshers with niche AI competencies. "We focus on quality over quantity," said Ramachandran Sundararajan, chief people officer at HCLTech. "Roughly 15-20% of our campus intake this year will be specialised hires, and we're happy to expand that if more candidates meet our benchmark." AI skilled freshers At Gurugram-based AI startup StaqU, the recruitment model revolves around hiring young, self-taught engineers - even before they graduate. "We don't hire based on years of experience," said Atul Rai, CEO and co-founder. "We evaluate GitHub contributions, community feedback, and research output. Someone with two years of hands-on GitHub work in AI is more valuable to us than someone with two decades in Java." Yet, sourcing such talent remains a challenge. Rai highlights a broader issue: India's limited research infrastructure and funding prevent it from building foundational AI models on par with countries like the US and China. "We're not building LLMs. We're building applications on top of them - and for that, we need adaptable AI engineers, not just coders," he added. The shortage is also evident at E2E Networks, a cloud-native company empanelled by MeitY. "AI has no fixed curriculum. What's in demand today didn't exist two years ago," said Mohammed Imran, CTO of E2E. "Only two out of 10 candidates clear our AI hiring process." This gap is mirrored in broader industry data. According to a recent Bain & Company report, AI-related job postings have grown at an annual rate of 21% since 2019, with salaries rising by 11%. Still, the supply of skilled professionals hasn't kept pace. Bain projects that India's AI industry will generate 2.3 million jobs by 2027. However, the talent pool is estimated to reach just 1.2 million-leaving over a million positions to be filled through upskilling and training initiatives. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now


Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Govt plans minimum import price for key pharma inputs
Representational Image NEW DELHI: As geopolitics disrupts global trade, govt is planning to impose a minimum import price (MIP) on key pharmaceutical raw materials to protect the domestic industry and secure supply chains. This step is meant to shield the domestic pharma industry from a surge of cheap Chinese imports that local manufacturers claim are hurting them. MIP is a tool in addition to customs duty, often used to make imports expensive. For instance, in case of apples, govt imposes MIP and then levies customs duty on it. The move could cover around 10 key raw materials (drug intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients), including those for antibiotics and anti-cholesterol therapies, imported from China, sources told TOI. Significantly, the raw materials selected for this exercise are part of the 41 critical components identified under the govt's Product-linked Incentive (PLI) scheme introduced to boost domestic manufacturing capabilities and reduce import dependence. Move may cover 10 raw materials Even in case of mobile handsets, covered under PLI, govt had offered protection to let domestic manufacturing stabilise. Discussions between the pharmaceutical industry and govt have been underway and a final decision is expected soon, sources added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo Industry experts point out that "since the announcement of the PLI scheme, China has further slashed prices of key raw materials, particularly over the last couple of years. Hence, due to predatory pricing, certain imports are significantly lower than initially expected. This is creating significant competitive pressure on domestic companies. Govt should assess on a case-by-case basis and decide where the MIP should be imposed. " The proposed MIP, however, has led to a debate among the manufacturers of finished formulations. "If we have to pay more for buying raw materials and intermediates, our production costs will rise," said a leading pharmaceutical player, expressing concern over potential cost pressures. Last year, govt had imposed an MIP on soda ash, among the first such moves in several years. Soda ash is the basic raw material in soaps and detergents, glass manufacturing, and certain chemicals. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now


Time of India
20 hours ago
- Time of India
Data Science vs. Economics: Which degree is better suited for a data-driven future?
Once neatly categorized into separate silos, the worlds of data and economic theory are now converging at the core of global decision-making. In an era where algorithms forecast stock crashes before brokers blink and central banks model inflation using machine learning, both Data Science and Economics have emerged as powerful degrees commanding influence across sectors. Yet as students weigh their options in an increasingly digitized economy, a fundamental question arises: Which degree holds more power in shaping the future—Data Science or Economics? The shifting terrain of influence The traditional stronghold of Economics as the discipline that governs policy, finance, and business strategy is now being challenged—not displaced, but redefined—by the rise of Data Science. While economists are trained to understand causality, model behavior, and interpret systemic shifts, data scientists wield code and statistics to uncover hidden patterns, forecast outcomes, and automate decision-making. Today, every industry—from healthcare and logistics to marketing and governance—relies on large-scale data analytics. Data Science, with its computational muscle and agile toolkits (Python, R, SQL, machine learning), has evolved into the go-to degree for roles demanding immediacy, precision, and automation. However, this efficiency has not rendered Economics obsolete. Rather, it has placed economic reasoning at a premium—especially when interpreting data responsibly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo In many ways, the two fields are no longer rivals but reluctant collaborators, often intersecting at boardrooms, policy desks, and startup whiteboards. Skills that shape the future A degree in Economics offers a lens to decode macro-level shifts—interest rates, unemployment, GDP volatility—but it also cultivates strategic thinking, critical evaluation, and long-term modeling. Economists are trained to ask "why" before acting on the "what." On the other hand, Data Science excels in answering the "how" and "what" with dizzying speed. It offers proficiency in programming, statistical inference, and advanced modeling—skills prized in automation, fintech, AI, and high-frequency trading. While the field initially leaned heavily on computer science, it is now deeply embedded in business, policy, and even climate change research. In effect, data scientists generate answers; economists know which questions matter. The combination is ideal—but for students pursuing a single degree, the choice depends on the direction of inquiry they're drawn to. Career trajectories and industry demand According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report (2025), roles like data analysts, AI specialists, and machine learning engineers dominate the hiring landscape. Salaries for data scientists consistently top industry benchmarks, with tech firms, investment banks, and consultancies battling for talent. Yet, Economics graduates still dominate leadership pipelines. Central banks, global think tanks, international agencies like the IMF and World Bank, and policy cells within government and academia overwhelmingly favor candidates with strong economic foundations—especially when roles demand foresight, trade analysis, or systemic modeling. Notably, hybrid roles—such as economic data analysts, quantitative researchers, and data-informed policy advisors—are now flourishing. These positions require a foundation in both domains, hinting at a future where interdisciplinary expertise becomes the real currency of power. Education in transition Universities have started to recognize this merging demand. New-age programmes now offer dual majors or interdisciplinary concentrations—blending econometrics with machine learning, or economic modeling with big data frameworks. Institutions like MIT, LSE, and NUS are reshaping curricula to produce graduates who are not just analysts or theorists, but decision scientists—able to derive insights from data and embed them within a broader economic context. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!