Entry level talent at GCCs get 30 percent more than other sectors

Entry level talent across global capability centres (GCCs) in India are attracting up to 30% higher pay packets than entry level salaries on an average across all sectors, according to tech hiring insights shared by TeamLease Digital, a tech staffing and solutions provider.

This surge is expected to continue, with GCCs projected to increase fresher hiring by 40% compared to the previous year, according to TeamLease Digital. "The IT services sector, while cautiously optimistic, is also anticipating a 20-25% growth in the recruitment of freshers, underscoring the demand for skills in software development, data engineering, and cloud technologies," according to the report.

“To stay ahead, companies must align their talent strategies with technological advancements, particularly in AI and cloud computing. Investing in upskilling programs is not just an option but a necessity, enabling professionals to remain competitive in this dynamic environment,” said Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Digital.

TeamLease shared latest insights on hiring trends and the tech landscape for the upcoming fiscal year 2025 in a press release, according to which mid-level tech roles demonstrate stability, with consistent demand for project managers, data scientists, and cybersecurity experts. Salaries in these roles have seen an increase of 7.89% to 10.2% compared to FY 2024, reflecting the market’s need for professionals.

"Senior management roles are experiencing a remarkable 21% rise in demand since last year, attributed to the strategic importance of expertise in data engineering, product management, and DevOps, with salary increases ranging between 6.54% and 10.8%," according to TeamLease.

The rise in AI, machine learning (ML), and automation skills have significantly increased the demand for data-related roles. "This trend is particularly evident in the surge of job postings for data scientists, where almost 69% mentioned ML skills in 2024," stated the release. Skills in natural language processing (NLP) have also grown in prominence, with demand jumping from 5% in 2024 to 19% in 2025. This indicates a broad industry shift toward AI-driven solutions, according to TeamLease.

"There is a growing need for skills such as Python programming, ethical hacking and penetration testing, Agile Scrum Master, AWS security, and JavaScript, further reflecting the evolving landscape of tech hiring," the release said.

The rapid migration to cloud infrastructures has further fueled hiring in roles related to cloud engineering, development, and architecture. Organisations continue to prioritise platform-specific certifications, particularly in AWS and Microsoft Azure, as these credentials are increasingly seen as critical for tech professionals, the company stated.

"By FY 2025, India is expected to require over two million cloud professionals to support the accelerated adoption of cloud technologies across various sectors," according to TeamLease.

TeamLease Digital’s outlook also reveals upskilling and professional development remain priorities as companies seek to bridge the talent gap. About 63% of tech employees did not upskill last year, which highlights the urgent need to address this skills gap. "Among those, 73% reported a lack of time, and 42% cited a lack of support from managers as barriers to their development," according to the insights.

Further, the tech workforce solutions provider’s outlook shows that state-wise salary differences continue to shape the tech job market, driven by cost of living, concentration of tech companies, and local policies.

Senior-level roles are experiencing a notable salary increase of 6.79% to 10.7% compared to FY24 due to the diverse skill set required for these positions, according to TeamLease. This skill set includes advanced data manipulation, statistical analysis, machine learning, cloud computing, and expertise in big data tools such as Hadoop and Spark. "The tech industry is currently facing a skills shortage in these areas, leading to a mismatch between demand and supply," stated the company release.