Data Scientist Salary in India in 2024 [For Freshers & Experienced]

Today, data has emerged as the new oil, powering decisions, innovations, and growth across industries. Data science, at the core of this transformation, is becoming indispensable for businesses aiming to harness the power of their data. 

But what exactly is data science, and who are these professionals driving the shift?

Data science is all about blending statistics, machine learning, and data processing to find insights from massive amounts of data. Think of data scientists as experts—they dig through data, clean it up, analyze it, and then make sense of it. Their goal? To help businesses make smarter decisions and stay ahead of the competition. 

Whether it’s recommending personalized products on your favorite shopping site or predicting the next big market trend, data scientists are the ones making it happen behind the scenes.

In this blog, we will take a closer look at the data scientist salary trends for data scientists in India in 2024, exploring what freshers can expect and how compensation grows as professionals gain experience. 

Data Scientist Salary for Freshers

In 2024, the demand for data scientists continues to soar, driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and big data analytics. 

This demand comes with impressive data scientist salary packages and strong job security, making this one of the most lucrative career options in the current job market.

Entering the field of data science as a fresher offers an exciting career path with strong earning potential right from the start. 

With companies increasingly focusing on data-driven strategies, freshers who have the right mix of skills can land well-paying roles. While experience does play a role in data scientist salary growth over time, fresh graduates with a solid understanding of data analysis, machine learning, and programming are already in high demand.

Here’s a breakdown of approximate data scientist salaries for freshers across various entry-level roles within data science:

Source: Glassdoor

The numbers reflect the strong starting data scientist salary freshers can expect, especially in metro cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Hyderabad and with companies actively investing in data science.

Career Growth for Freshers

For freshers, the real growth happens within the first few years. As they gain hands-on experience and work on diverse data projects, their skills evolve, making them eligible for higher-paying roles. 

Many freshers quickly advance to roles like Senior Data Scientist, Machine Learning Specialist, or Data Science Manager. With 2-4 years of experience, salaries can see a significant jump, often reaching up to INR 12,00,000 or more, depending on the role and industry.

A word from upGrad: We believe that the key to maximizing career growth is continuously upgrading skills and staying updated with the latest tools, programming languages, and industry trends in data science. For motivated freshers, the sky is the limit!

Excited by the earning potential of data science? Wait, we’ve got something for you! If you're dreaming of breaking into this high-paying field, why not equip yourself with the skills that top employers are looking for? 

Check out upGrad's Data Science program, designed to help you land that dream role. Ready to start your journey? Let’s make it happen!

Also read: Data Analyst Salary in India in 2024 [For Freshers & Experienced]

Data Scientist Salary for Experienced Professionals

For experienced data scientists, 2024 continues to offer impressive earning potential, especially as the demand for seasoned professionals who can handle complex data challenges keeps growing. 

With several years of hands-on experience in handling large datasets, developing advanced machine learning models, and deriving strategic insights for businesses, mid-level and senior-level data scientists are highly valued across industries. 

The experience you bring to the table can significantly elevate your salary, along with your ability to drive data-driven decision-making at a higher level.

Below is a snapshot of approximate salary ranges for mid-level and senior-level data science roles:

Source: Glassdoor

These data scientist salary in India ranges vary based on factors like company size, industry, and geographical location, but they reflect the strong financial rewards that come with experience in the field.

Also read: Top 13 Highest Paying Data Science Jobs in India [A Complete Report]

Career Growth for Experienced Professionals

As experienced data scientists move further along in their careers, opportunities for leadership and specialized roles become more accessible. 

Professionals often move into roles such as:

• Lead Data Scientist
• Data Science Manager, or even 
• Chief Data Officer (CDO)

Their responsibilities span across teams and departments. Additionally, many experienced data scientists find growth in niche areas like deep learning, AI strategy, or big data architecture, which are highly valued and compensated accordingly.

In 2024, staying ahead in this field means continuously developing your expertise, learning new tools and techniques, and being adaptable to the rapidly evolving technology landscape. 

With the right approach, experienced professionals can continue climbing the career ladder while enjoying a steady rise in salary and responsibilities.

Salary Comparison: Data Scientist vs. Other Tech Roles

Data scientists typically earn more than many other tech professionals, and this salary difference is largely due to the specialized nature of their work. 

Unlike traditional software developers or IT professionals, data scientists need expertise in a blend of fields—mathematics, statistics, machine learning, and business acumen—making them highly versatile problem solvers. 

Their ability to extract actionable insights from large datasets gives businesses a competitive edge, especially in today's data-driven world.

Moreover, the growing adoption of AI, big data analytics, and machine learning further boost the demand for data scientists. 

Here’s a comparison of average salaries for various tech roles in 2024:

Source: Glassdoor

While roles like AI Engineers and DevOps Engineers also offer competitive salaries, data scientists often enjoy a slight edge due to their multidisciplinary expertise and direct impact on business outcomes. 

This trend is expected to continue as industries increasingly rely on data science to drive innovation and efficiency.

Future Salary Trends for Data Scientists in India in 2025

The future for data scientists in India looks bright, with salaries expected to see significant growth over the next 5-10 years. As industries continue to embrace AI, big data, and automation, the demand for data scientists is forecasted to rise steadily.

This increase in demand will naturally drive up salaries, particularly for those with specialized skills in machine learning, AI, and big data analytics.

The graph above shows data scientists' projected salary growth trend from 2024 to 2030.

As companies across sectors—such as finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing—continue to invest heavily in data-driven strategies, average data scientist salary in india are expected to grow from INR 12 L per annum in 2024 to around INR 22 L per annum by 2030 for mid-level professionals.

Emerging Roles That Will Command High Salaries in 2025

1. AI Specialists: With AI evolving rapidly, specialized roles such as AI Architects, AI Strategists, and AI Research Scientists will continue to command high salaries. These professionals will be responsible for developing and scaling AI solutions across industries.
2. Robotics and Automation Experts: As industries integrate robotics into their operations, the need for professionals skilled in robotics process automation (RPA) will rise. These roles will involve automating complex workflows, further driving salary hikes.
3. Data Ethics and Privacy Specialists: With the growing importance of data privacy and ethical AI use, roles focusing on data governance, ethics, and compliance will see strong demand. As data ethics becomes a central issue for organizations, specialists in this field will be highly compensated.

Now we know that data science continues to be a high-growth, high-reward career path, and as new technologies emerge, professionals in the field will enjoy even more lucrative opportunities. ​​

Also read: Career in Data Science: Different Job Roles, Salary, Skills, Steps to Become Data Scientist

Highest Paying Industries for Data Scientists

Data science is rapidly becoming one of the most crucial fields in today’s economy, and it’s poised to be the next big thing across industries. As businesses race to harness data for smarter decision-making, the demand for skilled data scientists continues to grow. 

Here’s a look at the top industries offering the highest salaries to data scientists:

#5. Finance

• Why? Financial institutions rely heavily on data science for risk management, fraud detection, and investment forecasting.
• Salary Range: INR 10,00,000 - INR 25,00,000 per annum
• Top Roles: Risk Analyst, Quantitative Analyst, Data Scientist for Financial Services

#4. E-commerce

• Why? E-commerce platforms depend on data scientists for personalized recommendations, customer behavior analysis, and pricing strategies.
• Salary Range: INR 12,00,000 - INR 28,00,000 per annum
• Top Roles: E-commerce Data Scientist, Consumer Insights Analyst

Also read: Amazon Data Scientist Salary in India 2024 – Freshers to Experienced

#3. Retail & Consumer Goods

• Why? Retail companies use data to optimize supply chains, predict demand, and enhance customer experiences, leading to a high demand for skilled professionals.
• Salary Range: INR 15,00,000 - INR 30,00,000 per annum
• Top Roles: Supply Chain Data Analyst, Retail Data Scientist

#2. Healthcare

• Why? With the healthcare sector embracing AI and big data for predictive analytics, disease management, and operational efficiency, data scientists are in high demand.
• Salary Range: INR 18,00,000 - INR 35,00,000 per annum
• Top Roles: Health Data Scientist, Biomedical Data Analyst

#1. Technology & IT

• Why? Tech and IT companies lead the charge in AI and machine learning innovation, making data scientists a critical part of product development and business intelligence.
• Salary Range: INR 20,00,000 - INR 45,00,000 per annum
• Top Roles: AI Specialist, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Architect

Salary Comparison Table

Key Insight: Technology and IT remain the top-paying industries for data scientists, offering roles that focus on cutting-edge innovations in AI and machine learning. 

However, fields like healthcare and e-commerce are quickly catching up, providing competitive salaries for professionals with the right skill set.

Source: Glassdoor

How can upGrad help you?

Whether you're a complete beginner or a professional looking to upskill, upGrad offers a range of flexible and industry-relevant courses that fit right into your schedule.

One of the most exciting parts? There are free courses! Yes, you heard that right—free. A great starting point is their free data science course. It covers all the essentials: from statistics and data visualization to machine learning, giving you a solid foundation to build on.

Here’s how upGrad can make your learning journey easier and more impactful:

• Learn at Your Own Pace: Busy schedule? upGrad’s courses are designed to fit around your time, allowing you to study whenever it suits you.
• Hands-on Learning with Real-World Projects: upGrad isn’t just about theory—you’ll dive into real-world data projects, giving you practical experience that you can showcase in your portfolio.
• Free and Accessible: The free data science course lets you explore the field without any cost, helping you gain confidence before committing to more advanced programs.
• Job-Ready Skills: upGrad’s courses are curated by industry experts, ensuring you’re learning the latest skills that employers are looking for.
• Career Support: Whether it’s mentoring, resume building, or job placement assistance, upGrad is with you every step of the way to help you land that dream role.

Whether you're starting fresh or leveling up your current skills, upGrad’s offerings are perfect for those ready to dive into the booming world of data science!

Dive into our popular Data Science online courses, designed to provide you with practical skills and expert knowledge to excel in data analysis, machine learning, and more.

Develop key Data Science skills, from data manipulation and visualization to machine learning and statistical analysis, and prepare yourself for a successful career in data-driven industries.

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