…by Balasubramanian A, Senior Vice President, TeamLease Services
The Manufacturing, Engineering, and Infrastructure (MEI) industry in India is geared up for a strong year, with an expected salary growth of 7.9% in FY 2025–26, according to TeamLease’s latest report. From IT engineers to blue-collar electricians, the numbers reflect both a digital-first push and steady demand for traditional technical skills. The MEI sector is recalibrating for efficiency-driven growth. This reflects India’s broader focus on Industry 4.0 adoption, EV clusters, infrastructure corridors, and smart manufacturing setups.
Engineering Salaries Climb Steadily (8.4% Growth)
- Engineering roles remain crucial, with Project Engineers (8.8%) and Mechanical Design Engineers (8.1%) driving demand.
- Site Engineers (7.7%) and EHS Officers (7.3%) show moderate but steady growth.
This highlights the balance between design-led innovation and field-level execution.
Blue-Collar Jobs Are Still Critical (8.1% Growth)
On-ground technical skills remain indispensable.
- Electricians (9.3%) top the charts, even ahead of IT roles in some cases.
- Welders (8.2%) and Riggers (7.9%) show strong increments.
This reinforces India’s need for core technical expertise in manufacturing and heavy industry.
Finance Roles Hold Steady (7.3%): Accounts and Finance Executives (7.5%) remain stable. This shows that while finance remains essential, it is not the top priority sector for big hikes.
Sales & Marketing See Modest Growth (7.2%)
Customer-facing roles are not rising as fast as tech or engineering.
- Project Relationship Officers (7.6%) fare better than Field Sales Officers (6.4%) and Territory Sales Officers (6.2%).
This indicates businesses are investing more in product and process innovation than in front-end selling.
HR & Admin Lag Behind (6.3%)
- HR Executives (7.1%) earn slightly better increments.
- Recruiters (5.5%) are the lowest across all functions. This reflects the shift toward automation in hiring and admin processes, reducing salary growth in these roles.
Customer Service & Back-Office at the Bottom (6.2%)
Support functions see the lowest increments. Back Office Associates (6.3%) and MIS Executives (6.1%) highlight the trend of process outsourcing and automation slowing salary growth.
Top 5 Cities for Salary Growth
Location continues to matter:
- Bengaluru (8.5%) – leading in design, automation, EV clusters.
- Pune (8.2%) – strong in Industry 4.0 and precision manufacturing.
- Ahmedabad (8.2%) – gains from Make in India corridor expansion.
- Chennai (8.1%) – driven by heavy engineering exports.
- Hyderabad (8.1%) – benefits from smart factories and electronics parks.
These cities are India’s salary growth hotspots for FY 2025–26.
Reflecting on the findings,Balasubramanian A, Senior Vice President, TeamLease Services, said, “With an overall projected salary growth of 7.9% in FY 2025–26, the MEI sector is at the heart of India’s industrial transformation. What is striking is how growth hotspots like Bengaluru (8.5%) and Pune (8.2%) are driving momentum through EV clusters, automation, and advanced manufacturing, while cities like Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Hyderabad are powering exports and smart factory adoption.”
