New Delhi: Indian employers are increasingly offering salary premiums to attract professionals with artificial intelligence (AI) skills, but most employees already working with AI say they have not experienced corresponding pay hikes, according to a new report by job platform Indeed.

The report found that while 66 per cent of employers claim to offer significant salary premiums for AI-skilled roles, 54 per cent of AI-exposed workers said their salaries have either remained unchanged or declined.

According to the findings, more than 40 per cent of organisations said AI-related jobs command 11-30 per cent higher salaries than comparable non-AI roles, while 26 per cent reported offering premiums ranging from 31-50 per cent.

Despite these hiring incentives, the benefits are not reaching many existing employees. Among professionals who work with AI on a daily basis, 36 per cent reported no change in their compensation, while 18 per cent said their overall earnings had decreased. Only a small proportion received the higher salary increases being offered in the external job market.

The report suggests that while companies are paying more to recruit AI talent, internal salary structures have failed to keep pace, particularly for mid-career and senior professionals who have upgraded their AI skills within their organisations.

Commenting on the findings, Sashi Kumar, Managing Director, Indeed India, said retaining existing talent is just as important as hiring new AI professionals.

"Acquisition of AI talent is only one half of the equation and retaining and motivating the workforce that upskills internally is equally important."

"This disconnect creates a dual vulnerability for organisations, sparking job insecurity while accelerating the attrition of senior institutional talent. Winning the AI transition requires organisations to align their internal appraisal models with the real-world value their upskilled employees are generating," Kumar added.

The report also found that AI is changing workplace roles gradually rather than dramatically. Only 11 per cent of respondents said AI had completely transformed their jobs, while 65 per cent reported moderate or incremental changes. Another 24 per cent said AI had not yet altered the way they work.

AI is also reshaping career choices. More than 51 per cent of professionals said AI has influenced the jobs they apply for or aspire to, reflecting a growing effort to align careers with the evolving technology landscape.

The report further highlighted a shift in hiring practices, with nearly 40 per cent of employers now prioritising practical AI skills and certifications over traditional university degrees. Only 9 per cent said they still consider academic qualifications alone when hiring for AI-related roles.