India's average salaries set for a 9% boost by 2026
Good news if you're thinking about your future paycheck—India's average salaries are expected to jump by 9% by 2026, according to a new Mercer report.
These raises are tied to how well people perform and how competitive the market is, with companies now focusing more on what employees value overall—not just money—to attract and keep talent.
What's driving the change?
Companies are tweaking their reward systems, putting more emphasis on short-term incentives and clear, skills-based pay. This helps balance costs while rewarding performance, especially as companies respond to AI and productivity priorities.
Plus, new Labor Codes should mean better social security and healthcare for workers.
If you're eyeing tech or automotive jobs, there's even better news—those sectors could see salary hikes of up to 9.5%.