Offshore centers, or famously known as global capability centers today, were once established due to their nature that was widely synonymous with back-office operations.
With the deeper proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and growing maturity over certain functions, these centers are now building products from the ground up, leading projects that are innovative, and taking a step ahead of ‘following instructions’ from the headquarters.
While global giants are experimenting with their talent strategy, they are also making a major tweak in their pay philosophy, all while they try to scout for the perfect talent mix.
Some of the most attractive sets of hires in the industry are the mid-senior talent, which has risen sharply from 63 per cent in 2023 to 77 percent in 2025, shows a recent analysis by CIEL Works, a recruitment and staffing company.
For similar experience levels, GCC wage offers are generally greater than those of typical IT services companies, especially for such positions.
“The nature of work in the GCCs drives a 10-25 per cent compensation premium, which is not just due to a lack of skill. Positions with greater effect, such as product engineering, global platforms, and enterprise AI, are being filled by GCC companies,” Daniele Merlerati, Chief Regional Officer–APAC, Baltics & Benelux, GI Group Holding told ETGCCWorld.
Large IT services companies, at the same time, have purposefully slowed salary increases in recent cycles due to their lengthier transaction cycles and tighter margins, Merlerati added.
Premium for AI, cybersecurity skills
Recruiters and industry leaders say this is most visible in high-skill digital roles, where GCCs are paying a premium for specialised expertise as mandates expand.
GCCs are also prioritising skill density, by investing in fewer, mid-level specialised professionals rather than following the old pyramid model.
Nizar Ali Hamid, Chief Growth Officer, Taggd, sees a narrower but consistent premium in such compensation structures.
“Compensation patterns between GCCs and IT services are increasingly diverging. From what we see in the market, GCC compensation typically sits at 8-15 per cent above IT services for comparable experience. This is largely driven by the nature of work, global mandates, product ownership, and strategic accountability,” says Nizar Ali Hamid, Chief Growth Officer, Taggd.
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