Which sectors in India may offer the highest salary hikes in india 2027? Employees planning their next career move may want to pay attention to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), energy, real estate and infrastructure, funds and asset management, and life sciences. These industries are among those expected to offer above-average salary increases, according to Aon's Annual Salary Increase and Turnover Survey for India 2026–27.
The survey, reported in October 2026, projects an average salary increase of 9.1% across India in 2027, compared with an actual average increase of 9% in 2026. However, salary budgets differ by industry, job role, skills, performance and employer.
India Salary Hike Forecast 2027: Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Forecast Year | 2027 |
| Projected Average Salary Increase | 9.1% |
| Actual Average Increase in 2026 | 9.0% |
| Sector Forecast to Lead | Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) |
| Projected NBFC Increase | 10.1% |
| Other Leading Sectors | Energy; real estate and infrastructure; funds and asset management; life sciences |
| Survey Organisation | Aon |
| Survey Coverage | More than 1,200 organisations across 45 industries |
Top Sectors in India Expected to Give the Highest Salary Hikes in 2027
The following figures are based on Aon's reported salary-increase projections for 2027. The percentages indicate expected salary increases at the sector level, not the highest possible hike an individual employee might receive.
| Rank | Sector | Projected Salary Increase in 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) | 10.1% |
| 2 | Energy | 9.9% |
| 3 | Real estate and infrastructure | 9.8% |
| 4 | Automotive and vehicle manufacturing | 9.5% |
| 5 | Funds and asset management | 9.6% |
| 6 | Life sciences | 9.6% |
| 7 | Global capability centres (GCCs) | 9.4% |
| 8 | Banking | 8.5% |
| 9 | Chemicals | 8.0% |
| 10 | Technology consulting and services | 6.6% |
Source: Aon's Annual Salary Increase and Turnover Survey for India 2026–27, as reported by Business Standard and Mint. Ranks are ordered by percentage; sectors with equal projected figures share the same level of forecast.
1. NBFC Sector: 10.1% Projected Salary Increase
Non-banking financial companies are projected to record the highest average salary increase among the sectors listed in Aon's 2027 forecast. NBFCs provide financial services such as consumer lending, business loans, vehicle finance and other credit products.
Demand for employees who can assess risk, manage credit portfolios, understand customer behaviour and use financial data may create opportunities for specialised professionals.
Skills that may improve career opportunities
- Credit analysis and risk assessment.
- Financial modelling and advanced Excel.
- Data analytics and reporting.
- Fraud prevention and compliance awareness.
- Customer relationship management and responsible lending practices.
Possible roles include credit analyst, risk analyst, financial analyst, compliance executive and data analyst. Actual salary increases depend on the employer, role, experience and individual performance.
2. Energy Sector: 9.9% Projected Salary Increase
The energy sector is projected to offer a 9.9% salary increase in 2027. It includes conventional power and energy businesses as well as areas connected with renewable energy, electricity infrastructure and energy management.
Professionals with technical expertise and practical project experience may be well positioned for opportunities as employers invest in operations, reliability, infrastructure and energy-transition projects.
Skills to consider
- Electrical and mechanical engineering fundamentals.
- Renewable energy systems and energy efficiency.
- Project management and cost control.
- Industrial safety and quality processes.
- Data analysis for maintenance and operations.
Relevant career paths may include electrical engineer, project engineer, maintenance specialist, energy analyst and safety professional. Some technical jobs require an engineering qualification, licence or other recognised credential.
3. Real Estate and Infrastructure: 9.8% Projected Salary Increase
Real estate and infrastructure are projected to see a 9.8% salary increase in 2027. This sector includes construction projects, property development, infrastructure delivery, engineering services and project operations.
Employers may value professionals who can deliver projects on schedule, manage budgets, maintain quality and coordinate contractors or technical teams.
Useful skills
- Project planning and scheduling.
- Quantity surveying and cost estimation.
- AutoCAD, BIM or other relevant design tools.
- Contract management and procurement.
- Construction safety and quality assurance.
Possible roles include civil engineer, site engineer, quantity surveyor, project coordinator and planning engineer. Practical project experience and specialised technical skills can be important when employers assess candidates for higher-responsibility positions.
4. Funds and Asset Management: 9.6% Projected Salary Increase
Funds and asset management are projected to record a 9.6% salary increase in 2027. These businesses manage investments and portfolios for individuals, institutions or other clients.
Professionals who combine financial knowledge, analytical ability, risk awareness and strong communication skills may find opportunities in investment operations, research, portfolio support and compliance.
Skills to build
- Financial statement analysis.
- Excel, financial modelling and data visualisation.
- Investment research and portfolio concepts.
- Risk management and regulatory awareness.
- Clear report writing and presentation skills.
Possible roles include investment operations analyst, research analyst, portfolio reporting analyst and risk analyst. Some roles have specific educational, regulatory or professional qualification requirements.
5. Life Sciences: 9.6% Projected Salary Increase
Life sciences are also projected to record a 9.6% salary increase in 2027. The field includes areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, laboratory services, research and development, and related healthcare industries.
Employers may place value on scientific knowledge, quality standards, regulatory compliance, research skills and experience working with specialised processes or equipment.
Relevant skills
- Laboratory techniques and research methods.
- Quality assurance and quality control.
- Good documentation and data integrity practices.
- Regulatory affairs and compliance knowledge.
- Biotechnology, clinical research or pharmaceutical manufacturing skills, where relevant.
Potential roles include quality analyst, laboratory professional, research associate and regulatory affairs associate. Requirements vary significantly by job, so candidates should check individual vacancies before choosing a course or qualification.
6. Automotive and Vehicle Manufacturing: 9.5% Projected Salary Increase
Automotive and vehicle manufacturing are projected to see a 9.5% salary increase in 2027. Technical changes in vehicle design, manufacturing processes, automation and electric mobility may create opportunities for people with relevant engineering and production skills.
Skills that may help
- Manufacturing processes and quality control.
- Electrical and mechanical systems.
- Automation, robotics and industrial maintenance.
- Supply chain and production planning.
- Data analysis and continuous improvement.
Potential roles include production engineer, quality engineer, maintenance engineer and supply chain analyst. The value of a skill depends on the specific employer and role rather than the sector alone.
7. Global Capability Centres (GCCs): 9.4% Projected Salary Increase
Global capability centres are operations in India that support multinational companies in functions such as technology, finance, analytics, research, operations and business services. Aon projects a 9.4% salary increase for GCCs in 2027.
GCC opportunities can span technical and non-technical careers. Employers may look for employees who can solve complex problems, communicate effectively and work with international teams.
Skills worth developing
- Data analytics and business intelligence.
- Cloud computing and software development, where relevant.
- Cybersecurity and technology risk.
- Finance operations and business analysis.
- Communication, documentation and stakeholder management.
Possible roles include business analyst, data analyst, software engineer, finance analyst and cybersecurity analyst. Job requirements vary by centre and team.
What About Banking and IT Services?
Not every popular industry is expected to deliver the highest average salary increase in 2027. Aon projects an 8.5% increase for banking and 6.6% for technology consulting and services in its reported sector breakdown.
These figures do not mean that every banking or IT employee will receive a smaller raise than every employee in another sector. A specialised professional with strong performance, scarce skills or a promotion opportunity may receive a different increase from the sector average.
Technology skills can also be relevant outside traditional IT services. For example, financial services, energy businesses and GCCs may recruit professionals in analytics, cybersecurity, cloud platforms and automation.
Why Are Salary Hikes Different Across Sectors?
Salary budgets depend on several business and workforce factors. Some industries need specialised employees, while others face tighter budgets or have a larger supply of candidates for particular roles.
- Business growth: Expanding businesses may have more scope to invest in talent.
- Skill shortages: Employers may pay more to recruit or retain employees with hard-to-find expertise.
- Productivity: Skills that improve efficiency, quality or revenue may become more valuable.
- Competition for employees: Employers may adjust compensation to retain important talent.
- Company performance: A sector-wide forecast does not guarantee that an individual company will meet its targets.
- Employee performance: Ratings, promotions, role changes and individual contributions can affect pay decisions.
How to Prepare for a Better Salary Hike in 2027
Changing industries solely because of a forecast percentage is not always a good career decision. A better approach is to identify skills that match your experience and the jobs you want to pursue.
1. Review Your Current Salary and Role
Compare your responsibilities, experience and skills with similar job openings. Look at the full compensation package, including fixed pay, variable pay, benefits and working conditions.
2. Choose One Relevant Skill to Improve
Select a skill that employers actually request in your target roles. This could be financial analysis, project planning, data visualisation, quality control or a relevant technical skill. Avoid buying a course simply because it promises a high salary.
3. Create Evidence of Your Skills
Build a practical project, portfolio, case study or work sample where appropriate. A clear example of what you can do may be more useful than a long list of courses without practical application.
4. Prepare for a Salary Discussion
Record measurable contributions such as cost savings, process improvements, revenue support, project completion or quality improvements. Use this evidence when discussing compensation with your manager.
5. Compare External Opportunities Carefully
If you consider changing jobs, assess the responsibilities, career prospects, work culture, location, stability and total compensation. A higher advertised package does not always translate into a better long-term outcome.
Will Every Employee Receive a 9.1% Salary Hike in 2027?
No. The projected 9.1% figure is an average across participating employers and industries. Some companies may offer higher increases, while others may offer lower increases or no general increment, depending on business conditions and their compensation policies.
Individual outcomes can depend on performance, promotion, job changes, scarce skills, location, company profitability and the difference between fixed and variable pay. Employees should treat the forecast as a broad indication of the market rather than a promise about their next payslip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which sector may give the highest salary hike in India in 2027?
According to Aon's reported 2026–27 survey, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are projected to lead with a 10.1% salary increase in 2027.
2. What is the average salary hike forecast for India in 2027?
The reported forecast is 9.1%, compared with an actual average salary increase of 9% in 2026.
3. Which other sectors may offer high salary increases?
Energy is projected at 9.9%, real estate and infrastructure at 9.8%, funds and asset management at 9.6%, life sciences at 9.6%, automotive and vehicle manufacturing at 9.5%, and GCCs at 9.4%.
4. Are these salary hikes guaranteed?
No. They are survey-based projections for sector-level salary increases. Actual increments depend on the employer, employee, job role and business performance.
5. Will IT professionals get high salary hikes in 2027?
The reported forecast for technology consulting and services is 6.6%. Individual technology professionals may experience different outcomes depending on their skills, role, performance and employer.
6. Which skills can help improve salary prospects?
Skills should match the target industry. Examples include credit and risk analysis in finance, project management in infrastructure, quality control in life sciences, and data analytics or cybersecurity across several industries.
7. Should I change my career because of the 2027 salary forecast?
Not on the forecast alone. Consider your existing qualifications, interests, financial situation, training requirements and realistic job opportunities before making a career change.
Disclaimer: This article is for general career and financial information only. Salary figures are survey-based forecasts reported in October 2026 and may change. Actual salary increases vary by employer, job role, performance and economic conditions. BharatDisha is an independent information website and is not affiliated with Aon or the companies discussed. Verify the original survey and relevant employer information before making career or financial decisions.