With a vast population exceeding 1.3 billion, India stands out as a major hub for highly skilled professionals. The country excels in sectors like technology, engineering, and pharmaceuticals.
Notably, according to our talent trends tool, which leverages Multiplier data. 17.2% of overseas hires by US companies are based in India, making it the second most popular hiring destination after the Philippines. But why is that?
This article will explore why India is such a sought-after source of talent and how US companies can effectively tap into this valuable resource.
Why you should hire in India
Let’s start by understanding what US businesses need to know about Indian talent – beginning with the types of worker the country most commonly provides.
Talent niches
The following is a list of the roles US companies most frequently hire from India. We’ve ordered the list by the volume of hires on the Multiplier platform, with data based on contracts generated between 2020 and 2024.
Role | Median monthly salary |
Software engineer | $3,050 |
Senior software engineer | $3,650 |
Senior frontend engineer | $5,550 |
Senior backend engineer | $4,250 |
QA tester | $1,200 |
DevOps engineer | $2,100 |
Senior product manager | $6,900 |
Web developer | $1,900 |
Accountant | $1,300 |
Data analyst | $3,450 |
If there’s one thing that these roles highlight it’s India’s strength in the technology and engineering domains. That’s backed up by outside data: India has long been the go-to place to get software engineers.
But that may not be the case forever. As the domestic market continues to grow, demand pressures on key roles like developers mean other talent markets are becoming increasingly attractive to organizations looking for competitive hires. In other words, you might want to act now before the price of Indian talent skyrockets!
Speaking of price, Indian talent commands the second lowest average salary among the top five most popular countries for US firms to hire from (the other four being India, Canada, England, and Mexico). That makes it easier for US companies to pay the kinds of wages and offer the benefits that attract top talent.
Popular job boards
It’s all well and good knowing India has world beating technologists, but how do you actually find them?
To give you a headstart, we’ve collected data on the locations Indian candidates were most frequently sourced from. US companies looking for Indian talent should start with six key job boards:
What companies in the US hiring from India need to know
Still not convinced about making your next hire Indian? This might change your mind.
India has a massive workforce – approximately 523 million workers strong as of 2022 – making it the second largest talent pool after China.
Perhaps more importantly, India’s population is young, with a median age of 29 compared to 38 in China and the US. And, unlike the US and China, it’s forecast to continue growing over the coming decades.
Further swelling the workforce is increasing amounts of participation from women. That’s traditionally been low, making up only 25% of the total workforce, but it rose to just under 33% following the Covid pandemic.
How you should hire in India
If you’ve decided on hiring from India, actually employing the talent often presents challenges for US businesses. Establishing a local entity – the traditional method – demands substantial upfront investment, ongoing operational expenses, and closure fees. Moreover, it confines hiring to a single country, limiting access to a global pool of talent.
Manually managing compliance across different countries also increases the risk of legal issues and misclassification penalties. Not good.
Where an EOR shines
An Employer of Record (EOR) offers a solution by simplifying the process for companies in the US hiring from India. The EOR functions as the legal employer of the hired individuals, assuming responsibility for local compliance and risks.
This reduces risk, improves compliance, and increases efficiency, allowing companies in the US hiring from India to:
- Avoid the complexities of setting up a local entity
- Mitigate compliance challenges
- Streamline operations
- Focus on maximising the potential of their new Indian colleagues
Tech-driven EOR companies like Multiplier further simplify the process through self-onboarding tools and automation, reducing the cost of transaction and making it feasible for businesses of all sizes to hire global employees.
Making the most of Indian talent
India offers a vast and cost-effective talent pool, particularly when it comes to technology workers. Utilising an EOR empowers US companies to overcome the hurdles of hiring in India. This provides access to a wider range of talent, allowing for more efficient deployment of global talent.
Whether seeking employees or contractors, Multiplier facilitates international hiring for businesses of all sizes. Book a demo today.
