GCCs fuel salary surge in India

By Staff Report March 20, 2025 4:02 am IST

India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are leading the charge in pay parity and growth, with a research report by NLB Services indicating a 9.8% salary growth over the next 12 months. This trend is driven by a deliberate shift in compensation strategies as organisations adapt to evolving talent demands and navigate macroeconomic challenges.

As India solidifies its position as a global powerhouse for innovation and digital transformation, Global Capability Centres (GCCs) lead the charge, outpacing traditional IT services in pay parity and growth. A research report by leading digital talent solutions provider NLB Services highlights that GCCs in India are poised for a notable 9.8% salary growth over the next 12 months. This trend underscores a deliberate shift in compensation strategies as organisations adapt to evolving talent demands and navigate macroeconomic challenges. Incidentally, 61% of India Inc. GCCs acknowledge higher salaries in the ecosystem.

The ‘India’s Talent Takeoff – The GCC 4.0 Story’ report indicates that GCCs are seen as top payers in Hyderabad (19%) and Mumbai (19%), especially in IT Software & Consulting (22%) and Banking/Financial Services (18%). Meanwhile, Delhi/NCR (21%) and Bengaluru (24%) show strong salary competitiveness, with notable parity in Telecom & Internet Services (12%). The strong salary growth spans across junior and mid-level roles, fuelled by demand in fields like AI, ML, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. On the contrary, senior roles are set for modest increases as organisations prioritise cost efficiency in leadership.

Interestingly, GCCs are also prioritising skills, and it is reflected in the pay parity trends in the ecosystem. AI/ML and data science professionals are commanding a premium of 30–50% above traditional IT roles, while cloud architects and product designers are seeing elevated salaries, fuelled by generative AI and hybrid cloud adoption. Foundational digital and automation engineers, particularly in Industry 4.0 sectors, are experiencing close to 20–50% premiums. Cybersecurity experts are also anticipating double-digit increments as compliance and threat mitigation become even more critical.

Sachin Alug, CEO, NLB Services, said, “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 become critical nodes for organisations seeking agility, cost efficiency, and access to a vast talent pool. This growth trajectory is now translating into significant salary increases for employees, especially for specialised skills which are commanding higher premiums than ever before. However, despite this strong momentum, gender-based disparities still require attention, with women earning approximately 75–85% of male salaries on average, a gap which further widens at senior positions, reflecting the limited representation in leadership roles.”

“In Financial Services, we’re witnessing a transitional shift, with roles like Risk Analysts, Compliance Associates, Senior Risk Managers, FRM Leads, Heads of Compliance, and Global Finance Directors commanding salaries in the range of ₹6–90+ LPA. Specialised skills in risk and FRM are also yielding a 25–40% salary premium over traditional roles, underscoring the sector’s focus on talent retention and leadership. Demand for finance domain expertise is also expanding beyond core sectors, creating new opportunities,” he further added.

The report further highlights evolving GCC penetration beyond IT services, with financial services leading the way. Entry-level salaries range from ₹6 to 12 LPA, mid-level from ₹18 to 35 LPA, and senior roles up to ₹45 to 90+ LPA, reflecting a strong focus on talent retention and leadership development.

The report further highlights evolving GCC penetration beyond IT services, with financial services leading the way. Entry-level salaries range from ₹6 to 12 LPA, mid-level from ₹18 to 35 LPA, and senior roles up to ₹45 to 90+ LPA, reflecting a strong focus on talent retention and leadership development.

Furthermore, marketing & digital advertising follows a similar trajectory, offering entry-level salaries of ₹5–10 LPA, mid-level ₹15–30 LPA, and senior roles ₹40–70+ LPA, underscoring the importance of digital expertise in driving business growth. The consumer analytics function, on the contrary, is attracting a 15-30% salary premium over other roles.

Engineering & Manufacturing salaries range from ₹8 to 15 LPA at entry-level to ₹60–1.2 Cr+ for senior roles, reflecting the premium placed on technical skills and innovation. Meanwhile, HR & Talent Management roles start at ₹4–9 LPA (entry), rise to ₹12–25 LPA (mid), and reach ₹35–70+ LPA (senior), with analytics-focused roles earning 10–25% premiums, emphasising the strategic role HR plays in talent acquisition and retention within GCCs.

Looking ahead, India’s GCC sector is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9–12% through 2030, and salaries are set to grow exponentially. According to the report findings, AI/ML engineer salaries are set to jump from ₹18–60 LPA in 2025 to ₹40 L–1.5 Cr+ by 2030. Cybersecurity leadership roles will rise from ₹25–90 LPA to ₹55 L–2.2 Cr+, Industry 4.0 specialists from ₹15–45 LPA to ₹35 L–1.2 Cr+, and strategic HR leaders from ₹12–50 LPA to ₹25 L–1 Cr+. Strategic HR initiatives and niche tech certifications could drive 35–55% salary hikes. Regional variations will also play a significant role, with Tier-1 hubs like Bengaluru and Hyderabad potentially seeing niche AI and cybersecurity roles surpassing ₹2 Cr annually.

As GCCs continue to expand their footprint across India’s metropolitan hubs and Tier-2 cities alike, they are not only transforming global business strategies but also reshaping the country’s economic landscape by creating high-quality employment opportunities and fostering innovation at scale.