Salary Guide · India 2026
Perplexity AI is an AI-native search engine that answers questions with real-time cited sources, backed by Jeff Bezos, NVIDIA, and Sequoia. It challenges Google Search with a conversational, reference-cited format. The figures below reflect total CTC — base, variable, and equity combined — at the 25th–90th percentile of reported Perplexity offers in India, cross-checked against AmbitionBox and Glassdoor.
AI Engineer / Researcher · Senior / 6–9 yrs
₹140L – ₹240Ltotal CTC
Working at Perplexity
~400 employees globally. Revenue ~$100M+ ARR. Valuation $14B (2025). Backed by NVIDIA, Jeff Bezos, Sequoia, Andreessen Horowitz. India remote hires in AI research and backend infra.
What the interview actually tests
SF-anchored RSU at a $14B valuation: credible equity. India remote hires are extremely selective, mostly in AI research and backend systems. Interview: research-grade ML background + RAG system design + information retrieval fundamentals. Search ranking, crawling, and real-time indexing knowledge valued.
Role
Total CTC ranges for AI Engineer / Researchers at Perplexity India, from fresher to senior level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹80L – ₹140L | RSU₹25L – ₹60L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹140L – ₹240L | RSU₹60L – ₹140L/yr |
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