India has emerged as the third-largest cross-border hiring pool in the world and accounts for 7.2 percent of global AI trainers, reflecting the country’s growing importance in the global digital workforce, according to a new report released on Thursday.
The analysis by Deel shows that India has become one of the most significant contributors to the international talent market.
India Second-Largest Talent Base After the US
According to the report, India is now the second-largest global talent base after the United States, surpassing countries such as the Philippines and Canada in the international hiring ecosystem.
The findings highlight India’s expanding role in remote work, cross-border employment, and technology-driven professions.
AI Training Emerging as a New Profession
The report noted that AI training has rapidly emerged as a new global profession, driven by the increasing demand for artificial intelligence development.
More than 70,000 workers across over 600 organisations worldwide are currently involved in training AI systems. Their work ranges from basic data annotation to advanced expert-level feedback in fields such as medicine, economics, and translation.
India contributes 7.2 percent of these AI trainers, reflecting the country’s growing participation in the global AI economy.
Rising Demand for India-Based Professionals
Demand for professionals based in India is increasing across several major hiring corridors.
According to the report, inbound hiring into India through the Employee of Record (EOR) model has grown significantly:
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24 percent increase in hiring from the United States
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64 percent increase from the United Kingdom
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61.5 percent increase from Australia
The most common roles being hired include:
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Software development
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Software testing
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User interface and design roles
India Among Top Locations for International Employees
The report also places India among the top four residential locations globally for Employees of Record (EOR), which refers to full-time international hires employed through global compliance platforms.
India ranks behind Canada, the United Kingdom, and Spain in this category.
AI Trainer Salaries Vary by Skill Level
Compensation for AI trainers varies widely depending on the complexity of the work.
Globally:
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Basic data annotation tasks typically pay $15–$20 per hour
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Subject-matter experts can earn $50–$100 per hour or more
In India, the median hourly pay for AI trainers is around $12, reflecting variations in labour markets across countries.
Shifts in the Global Labour Market
The report highlights several broader trends shaping the global workforce, including:
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The rise of AI training as a specialized profession
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Increasing international hiring by startups for niche skills
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A gradual return of remote workers to major cities
These trends indicate that digital talent from countries like India will continue to play a key role in the evolving global technology ecosystem.
