Upskilling in AI, data science doubles leadership roles, boosts salaries by 65%: Report

A recent career progression report highlights that upskilling in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning has significantly impacted career advancement, with the number of employees advancing to leadership positions doubling. Additionally, team management roles have seen an 80% increase. On average, salaries have surged by 65%, reflecting the value of upskilling for both fresher and experienced professionals.

The report by Great Learning, an edtech firm, reveals that upskilling in tech-related fields has resulted in the highest salary increases for early-career professionals, with their earnings nearly tripling. Mid-career professionals saw their salaries double, rising from ₹10.48 lakh to ₹20.12 lakh. For professionals with 8-12 years of experience, the average salary hike was around 50%, while senior professionals with over 12 years of experience saw an average increase of 41%.

In a two-year period following upskilling, 74% of professionals received promotions or transitioned to new roles. Of those, 69% successfully moved into new positions within their current organisation or with a new employer, while 31% reported significant improvements in their existing roles.

“Upskilling has enabled professionals to switch careers, get into managerial and leadership roles, and reap financial gains from their career growth. While short-term gains are important, the real benefit of upskilling compounds over time, turning professionals into experts and sought-after industry leaders,” said Hari Krishnan Nair, Co-Founder of Great Learning in a statement.

A key reason why AI-upskilled individuals are experiencing faster growth in the industry is the growing investment by businesses in AI, which is driving up the demand for talent with specialised skills in this area.

The study further highlights that investing in upskilling, particularly in high-growth fields like Data Science, AI, and Machine Learning, delivers immediate, practical benefits. Among alumni surveyed, 72% are actively applying their new skills in their current roles. Beyond technical expertise, 82% of professionals reported greater confidence in navigating the evolving job market after completing their programs.

These findings are based on a survey of 1,000 randomly selected alumni from Great Learning’s AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning programs, spanning professionals at various career stages, from early career to senior leadership.