Decoding the Top 10 highest paying jobs in India 2021

The job market in India has undergone a radical change. Gone are the days where the only stable professions that were considered to be ‘highest paying’ were that of a doctor, engineer, or working for the government. While these choices are still relevant and respected today, there are a lot more options that have come up and revolutionized the job market in India.

Most students are confused regarding their career and to be honest, money is a great motivator and can aid them in their decision. Knowing the top highest-paying jobs in India will definitely help them decide their career path with confidence.

List of Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in India – 2021

1. Data Scientist
2. Digital Marketing
3. Medical Professionals
4. Machine Learning Experts
5. Blockchain Developers
6. Software Engineers
7. Chartered Accountant (CA)
8. Lawers
9. Investment Banker
10. Management Consultant

Take a look at the top 10 highest paying jobs in India (in no particular order) as of 2021.

1. Data Science

If there is one term that has gained significant popularity in the past few months, it is data science. Data scientists are essentially analytical experts who use social science and technology to find trends as well as manage data. This is basically done to analyze raw data and find solutions to various business problems.

Data scientists also help in creating customized statistical models as well as algorithms based on end-user behaviors.

Educational Qualification

While there is no predefined qualification necessary, engineers (BE/BTech) or graduates having a degree or certification in data science will definitely have an added advantage. Additionally, having a rudimentary knowledge of basic programming languages such as Python, SQL is helpful. Over the years, with experience, data scientists can move on to larger roles such as that of chief data scientists, big data engineers, etc.

Pay Scale

Certified data scientists are offered salaries between Rs. 4 lakhs to Rs. 12 lakhs per annum as their base even without much experience. Higher the experience, higher is the salary and can range from Rs. 60 lakhs to Rs. 70 lakhs per annum making this one of the highest paying IT jobs in India.

Industry and Growth

Data science is a relatively new field that offers lucrative pay scales and opportunities. This field is currently seeing tremendous growth and a 40% rise in demand since January 2019 and is only expected to grow further.

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2. Digital Marketing

With the rise of social media and alternate forms of marketing and advertising, digital marketing is here to stay and is changing the way of communication today. Digital marketing simply refers to any type of marketing effort that uses the internet and other means of digital communication such as email, social media, text, and web-based advertising.

Because of the diversity and creative freedom offered by this field, people from various backgrounds are becoming marketing professionals. There are multiple roles available for those looking for jobs within the digital marketing field such as content writers, SEO analysts, social media managers, brand marketing managers, etc.

Educational Qualification

While a specific digital marketing degree is not necessary, having certifications, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Marketing, PR, or Mass Communication will be an advantage. There are also multiple online courses available to help individuals upgrade their skills even further.

Pay Scale

Entry-level professionals can earn anywhere between Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs. 6 lakhs per annum whereas those with more experience can command between Rs. 10 lakhs to 12 lakhs per annum. Additionally, those with over 10-12 years of experience can enjoy earnings of Rs. 15 lakhs to Rs. 22 lakhs per annum & making this one of the highest paying digital marketing jobs in India.

Industry and Growth

The digital marketing industry is expected to continue growing. Thanks to the increased reliance on the internet, the way people communicate and consume information has changed therefore highlighting the need for online marketing tools and techniques.

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3. Medical Professionals

Having a doctor in the family is seen as something to be proud of as medical professionals command immense respect and are a necessity. While becoming a doctor, surgeon or any other medical professional is not easy, the rewards are worth the hard work. They are also one of the backbones of society as evidenced during the current pandemic that we are in.

Educational Qualification

Becoming a good medical professional requires a lot of dedication and study. An MBBS is the entry-level qualification required and further specialized training is also required such as an MD or MS (Master of Surgery). Apart from this having good interpersonal and communication skills, compassion, and attention to detail is important.

Pay Scale

Medical professionals with higher qualifications or specialized degrees tend to earn more.

The average starting salary for those with an MD is around Rs. 5 lakhs – Rs.10 lakhs per annum and can go up to Rs. 25 lakhs per annum or more & making this one of the highest paying medical professional jobs in India.

Industry and Growth

It is safe to say that the healthcare industry will only continue to grow as medical professionals are necessary for a healthy society to thrive. These individuals usually start their career as an intern and then move on to other opportunities. Higher degrees may help them specialize in niche fields such as neurology, cardiology, neonatal care, etc.

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4. Machine Learning Experts

A few years ago, the words AI(Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) would have confused everyone but today these technologies are taking over the world with their impact. Today, machine learning and artificial intelligence experts help companies make data-driven decisions and set them up for greater success and are very much in demand today and will be for the foreseeable future.

Educational Qualification

A Bachelor’s degree in computer science, artificial intelligence, or other related fields is essential. There are also a plethora of specialized courses available today for those interested in pursuing a career in this field. These certifications will give an edge over those without them.

Pay Scale

For entrants, the annual salary starts at Rs. 5 lakhs and can go up to Rs. 7 – 8 lakhs. For those with experience of a decade or more, salaries can go up to Rs. 20 lakhs per annum. If having a lucrative job is what you dream of, a career in machine learning is definitely one to consider and making this one of the highest paying AI jobs in India.

Industry and Growth

While the adoption of machine learning technology is still in a relatively nascent stage in India, the growth is expected to be exponential. This technology is also being used across various retail, healthcare, transportation, and education sectors. Certain statistics also suggest that the Indian machine learning and artificial intelligence sector will have a compound annual growth rate of 33.49% between 2018 and 2023.

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5. Blockchain Developers

Continuing with our list of jobs in the IT sector, blockchain technology is another field that is gaining increasing popularity. While the term may sound complicated, a simple way of understanding blockchain is that it is a digital record of transactions and is used to record transactions made with cryptocurrencies. This technology has other applications as well. Digital payments have gained tremendous momentum in India especially with lockdowns and the pandemic and therefore blockchains are a key innovator in the fintech space.  As the field is relatively new in India, there is a high demand for blockchain technology specialists.

Educational Qualification

Applicants with degrees in B.E/B.Tech in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics or other fields specializing in programming, or applicants with knowledge of Ripple, R3, bitcoin, and Etherium technologies are given preference. Having an in-depth knowledge of security protocol stacks, consensus methodologies, and crypto libraries are also necessary.

While there are not many specialized degrees for blockchain technology, there are many certifications available.

Pay Scale

The starting salary for an entrant can range between Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs. 6 lakhs per annum and can grow exponentially with experience. While the average salary currently for blockchain technology experts is around Rs. 8 lakhs, it can go up to Rs. 45 lakh per annum with time and experience makes this one of the highest paying developer jobs in India.

Industry and Growth

Did you know that blockchain technology makes up a large part of the Indian government’s Niti Aayog strategy? There is a lot of investment in this sector and is only expected to grow exponentially to reach over USD 4 million by the year 2025.

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6. Software Engineers

Once upon a time in India, most parents would aspire for their children to be either engineers or doctors. While there are many more lucrative options available today, the lure, as well as demand for software engineers, has not waned. One of the most in-demand and highest-paid sectors today thanks to digitization, software engineering is here to stay.

Educational Qualification

There are many universities in the country offering Bachelor’s as well as Master’s degrees in Software Engineering. Those with specialized certifications will have an added advantage considering the competition for this sector is also quite high.

Pay Scale

The lucrative pay scale offered is another lure for those interested in this field. Freshers can expect a salary package ranging from Rs. 4 lakhs to Rs. 6 lakhs per annum while seasoned engineers can expect anywhere between Rs. 10 lakhs per annum to Rs. 30 lakhs per annum depending on seniority and experience that makes this one of the highest paying engineers jobs in India.

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7. Chartered Accountant

Another highly in-demand profession, Chartered Accountants (CA) are members of the ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) which is the only national accounting body in the country. There is a high demand for CAs in the country but also a huge shortage making this profession highly lucrative. From small firms to large corporations, the need for a CA is everywhere.

Educational Qualification

Commerce graduates and postgraduates with a minimum percentage of 55% or students of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and Institute of Cost Accountants of India who have passed the intermediate level can apply. These exams are known to be notoriously hard to crack and require discipline and dedication.

Pay Scale

The current average salary offered to CAs is around Rs. 7 lakhs per annum and can go up to Rs. 30 lakhs per annum depending on the experience. Certain international salaries can also go up to Rs. 75 lakhs per annum makes this one of the highest-paying CA jobs in India.

Industry and Growth

As long as there are taxpayers and a need to maintain accounts, there will be chartered accountants. The demand is only increasing with the rise in the number of companies and individuals who pay tax. Additionally, this is also considered to be a job with high job security and will always be in demand. Companies such as Standard Chartered, BHEL, Citibank are some of the top recruiters for CAs in the country.

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8. Lawers

We’ve seen lawyers being depicted as having a high-flying lifestyle while fighting for justice at the same time. While most of these depictions may be overdramatic, there is no denying the fact that lawyers today are some of the highest-paid professionals in not just India but also the world.

A lawyer advises and represents their clients – both private and public and are categorized into tax lawyers, criminal lawyers, securities lawyers, etc.

Educational Qualification

A Bachelor’s degree in law, liberal arts, or political science is recommended. Additionally, clearing admission tests like LSAT is also necessary. A Master’s degree in their chosen specialized field can also help in their career. To become lawyers, however, applicants must also clear the bar examination.

Pay Scale

Independent lawyers may charge per case or appearance in court whereas those working in corporate companies may receive a monthly salary with additional bonuses as applicable. Salary can start at Rs. 3 lakhs per annum and can go up to Rs. 12 lakhs to even Rs. 25 lakhs per annum depending on experience and success rate which makes this one of the highest paying jobs in India.

Industry and Growth

Law is one field where the demand for professionals will never cease. Individuals can also explore multiple areas under their chosen branch. One can also become an attorney and if they have over 2 decades of experience, can also become a judge.

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9. Investment Banker

The primary role of investment bankers is to take care of their client’s financial assets. They are also brokers and advisors and help their clients invest their money in a potentially lucrative market at the right time to maximize returns. In addition to this, investment bankers also help with mergers and acquisitions, conduct research, and act as financial advisors to corporate organizations as well.

Educational Qualification

A Bachelor’s degree or Postgraduate degree in finance, accounting, or economics is highly recommended. Many aspirants today also go for specialized advanced certifications or an MBA. Having strong research and analytical skill along with expertise in statistics and calculations and good verbal skills are also essential

Pay Scale

With one of the highest average salaries in the market, investment banking is one of the most lucrative professions in the country today. Entrants can expect a salary ranging from Rs. 4 lakhs to Rs. 12 lakhs per annum and with experience, this number can go up to Rs. 40 lakhs per annum.

Industry and Growth

There has been tremendous growth in digital banking and financial services in the country today and is only expected to grow in the coming years. With new financial companies entering the market, the demand for skilled investment bankers is on the rise and is expected to grow exponentially.

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10. Management Consultant

If you are somebody who loves to help improve your company’s performance, solve problems while maximizing growth, then management consultancy is the right career for you. These experts help their clients grow and eliminate their problems while also dealing with operations of the company and are concerned with management, structure, and strategy.

Educational Qualification

A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in any business discipline is essential. While there are specialized courses available for graduates, those specializing in Economics, Finance, or Accounting can also become management consultants.

Pay Scale

The average salary for management consultants is just over a whopping Rs. 11 lakhs per annum. While freshers can enjoy a yearly pay scale of Rs. 6 lakhs to Rs. 7 lakhs per annum, those with more experience can earn anywhere between Rs. 11 lakhs to Rs. 23 lakhs per annum makes this one of the highest paying management consultant jobs in India.

Industry and Growth

The Current Annual Growth Rate for the Management Consulting industry is around 30% and there is a 4.1% growth seen in the industry globally. The Indian Management Consulting Industry is also estimated to generate Rs. 27,000 crore in revenues by the end of 2020. There is a constant demand for excellent management consultants in the market today and this is only expected to grow in the future.

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In Conclusion

The above are just some of the highest-paying jobs in India today. The good news is that these are not the only ones available. Commercial pilots, executive chefs, architects, civil servants, full-stack developers, product managers, aeronautical engineers, and web developers all enjoy highly lucrative salaries as well. Hard as well as smart work, passion, and attention to detail are factors that can help one rise to the top of their profession.

What is your opinion on our list? Do you want a Part II for this article where we delve into a few more highest paying jobs in India? Let us know in the comments below.

Disclaimer: Several professions in India are highly paid. This blog aims to showcase a few of the most lucrative jobs available in the country today and the list is curated in no particular order based on current trends as of 2021 and professions that are stable in terms of entry and structure.