Salary numbers for "AI jobs in India" circulating online are often either outdated, unrealistically high, or averaged across such a wide range of roles that they're not useful for any individual decision.
Entry-level range is wide
Fresher AI/ML roles at product companies typically command a premium over generic software roles, but the gap has narrowed as more graduates enter the field with relevant skills.
Company type matters more than title
A well-funded startup, an established tech company, and a traditional company building an internal AI team can pay meaningfully different amounts for similar-sounding roles — company type is often a bigger factor than the job title.
Specialization commands a premium, eventually
Early-career compensation differences between AI and general software roles are often smaller than expected. The gap tends to widen with experience and specialization, not immediately.
Location still matters, but less than it used to
Remote and hybrid AI roles have somewhat reduced the historical premium for being based in specific tech hubs, though it hasn't disappeared entirely.
Treat any single number you read online as a rough anchor, not a precise expectation — the range for "AI role" is simply too wide for one figure to be meaningful.