Highest paying jobs in India: Top 10 for 2025

India’s employment landscape is marked by robust growth and transformation in 2025, with increased opportunities in financial services, manufacturing, and technology. Global investors have significantly expanded their Indian footprint, with more than 12 major international funds establishing new offices and a high demand for returning professionals with international expertise.

The rapid expansion of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and government-backed initiatives in renewable energy, electric vehicles and semiconductors are further propelling the manufacturing sector.

“Salary growth remains healthy, with promotion increases up to 40% for emerging and leadership roles, while annual hikes vary between 6-15% depending on role criticality and niche skills. Companies are also increasingly offering ESOPs and long-term incentive plans to retain senior talent,” shares Nilay Khandelwal, Senior Managing Director at Michael Page Singapore and India.

The focus on diversity and inclusion has intensified, with many organisations striving for gender parity by targeting a workforce comprising of 50% women through attractive remuneration packages and flexible working arrangements.

Looking ahead, sectors such as financial services, healthcare, infrastructure, and manufacturing are expected to thrive, alongside evolving technology roles in AI/ML, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data privacy.  

Degrees in computer science and data science are becoming increasingly important for high-paying roles such as data scientists, software engineers, and blockchain developers. Agile hiring strategies, decisive leadership and attractive employee value propositions will be essential for securing and retaining top talent in this dynamic market. 

Related: 13 questions to ask hiring managers during a job interview

10 highest paying jobs in India in 2025

To help you make informed decisions on your next job search, we have compiled a list of the highest paying jobs in India, derived from Michael Page’s proprietary 2025 Salary Guide data. This list includes various high paying job opportunities in industries such as technology, healthcare and finance.

While the list features a selection of senior roles from our salary guide, it will help job seekers at any point in their careers, even fresh graduates, identify the sectors that can offer competitive salary packages. The growing number of lucrative career paths in technology, healthcare and finance highlights the diverse opportunities available for professionals equipped with relevant skills.

In India, some of the highest paying roles include cloud architects, data scientists and investment bankers, reflecting the high demand for specialized skills in these fields. 

Related: 5 emerging tech roles revolutionising industries

1. C-suite roles

It is not surprising that executive positions are among the highest paid jobs in India. The annual average salary of a chief financial officer, chief operating officer, chief technical officer and chief scientific officer in India can range from Rs 80 lakhs to Rs 800 lakhs a year.

C-suite roles bring immense value to organisations through strategic leadership, vision and innovation, financial management, operational excellence, talent development, stakeholder management, risk management, governance and change management.

These executives play a critical role in driving the organisation’s success, business growth and long-term sustainability by implementing effective business strategies. 

2. Project Director

A project director in India’s property and construction sector commands an average annual salary of Rs 150 lakhs to Rs 400 lakhs, making this role one of the high paying jobs in the country.

This role leads large-scale projects by setting strategic direction and managing multiple portfolios. They ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget, engage with key stakeholders (clients, government and subcontractors) through effective client relationship management, maintain strict compliance and risk controls and drive innovation by integrating new technologies.

Additionally, they mentor cross-functional teams and spearhead business development to expand regional market presence, ultimately boosting the organisation’s competitive edge and profitability.

(Browse property roles and construction roles here)

3. Private Equity Legal Head in Investment Banking

One of the top paying roles in India’s job market is a Private Equity Legal Head. They draw an average salary of Rs 175 lakhs annually, especially in the financial services sector. This role often involves collaboration with investment bankers to ensure seamless financial operations and successful investment outcomes.

Some roles and responsibilities include:

• Conducting legal due diligence and risk assessments
• Structuring and negotiating complex transaction documents
• Advising on deal structuring and regulatory compliance (including cross-border issues)
• Managing legal matters for portfolio companies
• Leading a specialised legal team and collaborating with external counsel and stakeholders

Compensation packages for this role are highly competitive—often commanding a premium due to the critical nature of the work in mitigating legal risks and driving successful investment outcomes.

(Browse legal roles here) 

4.  Sales Director

A sales director in India earns an average salary of Rs 120 lakhs to Rs 300 lakhs annually.  

A sales director is responsible for setting sales targets, leading teams, fostering client relationships, exploring new opportunities, and adjusting strategies based on market research.  

This role is key to driving revenue growth and aligning cross-functional teams. Their agile approach to market trends is crucial for competitive performance in a competitive market.  

(Browse sales roles and marketing roles here)

5. Business Director

A business director can typically earn an annual average salary of Rs 100 lakhs to Rs 300 lakhs. This senior executive role is responsible for driving a business unit’s growth and operational excellence. In summary, their role involves:

• Developing and executing strategic plans aligned with corporate objectives and overarching business strategies.  
• Overseeing P&L management to ensure revenue growth and cost efficiency.
• Leading market development initiatives and expanding into new segments.
• Managing key stakeholder relationships, including clients, partners and regulators in a diverse market environment.
• Guiding cross-functional teams to meet business targets while fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.
• Ensuring compliance and managing risks in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

This role is pivotal in translating high-level strategies into tangible business outcomes in India’s dynamic economic context.

(Browse healthcare roles and life sciences roles here) 

6. Head of Research & Development (R&D)

A Head of R&D with over 15 years of experience in India’s job market can command an average salary of Rs 100 lakhs to Rs 225 lakhs making this a sought-after career path for many.

This seasoned leader is responsible for driving innovation and technical excellence within an organisation. Their key roles and responsibilities include:

• Defining and implementing a long-term R&D roadmap aligned with company goals.
• Driving new product and process innovations to maintain competitive advantage.
• Collaborating across departments to transition research into market-ready products.
• Building and mentoring high-performing, cross-functional R&D teams.
• Managing budgets, resources and project risks while safeguarding intellectual property.
• Forging external partnerships with academia and industry to accelerate innovation.
• Utilizing data analysis and data science to derive actionable insights and make informed, data-driven decisions.

(Browse engineering roles and manufacturing roles here) 

7. Head of Supply Chain

A head of supply chain in procurement and supply chain typically brings in an attractive average salary of about Rs 80 lakhs to Rs 200 lakhs a year in India.  

This role drives operational excellence by overseeing end-to-end supply chain operations. They lead strategic planning, procurement, logistics and inventory management while managing teams, mitigating risks and ensuring regulatory and sustainability compliance to maintain a competitive market edge.  

(Browse procurement roles and supply chain roles here)

8. Compensation and Benefits Head

A compensation and benefits head in India can expect an annual remuneration of Rs 80 lakhs to Rs 150 lakhs.  

A bachelor's or master's degree in business administration provides essential skills and knowledge for candidates aspiring to succeed in this competitive position. This senior HR executive is responsible for designing and managing the organisation’s reward systems. Key responsibilities include:

• Developing competitive salary structures and benefits packages that align with both business objectives and prevailing market trends.
• Benchmarking compensation practices against industry standards to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness.
• Overseeing payroll management, budgeting, and cost control while ensuring compliance with Indian labor laws and taxation regulations.
• Implementing performance management systems that link pay to results, thereby driving employee engagement and retention.
• Collaborating closely with HR and finance teams to analyse compensation data and optimise reward strategies.
• Leading communication efforts to clearly convey the value of the compensation package to employees, fostering transparency and trust.

This role is critical in attracting and retaining top talent, ensuring organisational competitiveness and driving employee satisfaction in India’s rapidly evolving market.

(Browse human resources roles here) 

9. Head of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)

Based on market research, a head of M&A is one of the India’s highest paying jobs and earns an average annual salary of Rs 75 lakhs to Rs 200 lakhs. Experience as an investment banker is highly relevant for this role, given its focus on financial expertise, financial modeling, and transaction execution.

In India’s dynamic financial landscape, professionals in this role must not only be adept at financial modeling and transaction execution but also have a deep understanding of the regulatory framework and market trends. They need to balance short-term deal execution with long-term strategic planning, ensuring that every transaction contributes to sustainable business growth.

This blend of responsibilities—ranging from analytical rigor in M&A to strategic communication in investor relations (IR) and proactive capital sourcing in fund raising—makes the role both challenging and critical for companies aiming to thrive in a competitive, fast-evolving market.

(Browse finance roles and accounting roles here.) 

10. Head of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)

A FP&A head in the banking and financial services industry in India can command an average annual salary of Rs 60 lakhs to Rs 150 lakhs.

Collaborating closely with data scientists, this FP&A position plays a crucial role in driving the financial strategy and performance of an organisation. This senior position combines leadership, analytical rigor, and strategic insight to support decision-making and long-term growth. Some key responsibilities include:

• Crafting financial strategies and allocating capital to support long-term business goals.
• Leading the annual budgeting process and creating both short- and long-term financial forecasts.
• Analysing data to provide insights, establishing KPIs, and preparing detailed reports for management.
• Identifying and mitigating financial risks while ensuring adherence to local regulations.
• Monitoring local market trends and optimising financial systems and processes to enhance efficiency.

(Browse banking roles and financial services roles here.) 

Explore more salary insights

To get a comprehensive view of salaries and market benchmarks across various industries and roles in India, download the full Michael Page Salary Guide, which features the average salary of roles in India’s dynamic job market, or use our Salary Comparison Tool to see how your compensation compares to industry standards.

Disclaimer: Salaries can differ from one company to another, depending on your skills, knowledge, and experience. 

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