GCCs in India Set for 9.8% Salary Increase This Year, Surpassing Traditional IT Sector: Report

Synopsis

GCCs in India are set to see a 9.8% salary increase over the next year, as per a recent report. The growth in this sector is expected to continue through 2030, with significant salary hikes for specialized roles in AI, ML, and cybersecurity.

Key Takeaways

GCCs in India anticipate a 9.8% salary growth this year.
Projected CAGR of 9-12% through 2030.
Salaries for AI/ML engineers expected to rise significantly.
Regional hubs like Bengaluru and Hyderabad forecasted to lead in salary offerings.
Focus on specialized skills commanding higher premiums.

New Delhi, March 19 (NationPress) Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India are on track for an impressive 9.8% salary increase over the next year, as revealed in a recent report.

Looking forward, India's GCC industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9-12% through 2030, with salaries anticipated to rise significantly.

As per the report by prominent digital talent solutions provider NLB Services, salaries for AI/ML engineers are expected to soar from Rs 18–Rs 60 lakh per annum (LPA) in 2025 to a staggering Rs 40 lakh–Rs 1.5 crore by 2030.

Leadership roles in cybersecurity are forecasted to increase from Rs 25–90 lakh per annum to Rs 55 lakh–Rs 2.2 crore and beyond.

Geographical differences will also be crucial, with Tier-1 cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad likely to witness specialized AI and cybersecurity roles exceeding Rs 2 crore annually.

Notably, 61% of India's GCCs report higher salaries within the ecosystem.

With India hosting over 55% of the world’s GCCs and projected to reach a market size of $110 billion by 2030, these centres have evolved into essential hubs for organizations seeking agility, cost-effectiveness, and access to a vast talent pool.

“This growth trajectory is translating into substantial salary increases for employees, particularly for specialized skills which are now commanding higher premiums than ever,” stated Sachin Alug, CEO of NLB Services.

The report indicated that GCCs are recognized as top payers in Hyderabad (19%) and Mumbai (19%), especially within IT software and consulting (22%) and banking/financial services (18%).

Meanwhile, Delhi/NCR (21%) and Bengaluru (24%) showcase strong salary competitiveness, with notable parity in telecom and internet services (12%), the report highlighted.

This robust salary growth is evident across junior and mid-level positions, driven by demand in sectors like AI, ML, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.

Conversely, senior roles are expected to see modest increases as firms focus on cost efficiency at the leadership level.

Interestingly, GCCs are also emphasizing skills, which is reflected in the pay parity trends within the ecosystem.

Professionals in AI/ML and Data Science are commanding a premium of 30-50% over traditional IT roles, while Cloud Architects and Product Designers are experiencing elevated salaries, driven by generative AI and hybrid cloud adoption.

Foundational digital and automation engineers, particularly in Industry 4.0 sectors, are seeing premiums of nearly 20-50%, according to the report.

The report further emphasizes the expanding GCC penetration beyond IT services, with financial services leading the way.