Minimum Wages in Karnataka Minimum Wages in Karnataka 2025-26 PDF Download
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The state government has recently revised minimum wage rates in Karnataka. This is important for three reasons. First, the recent revisions would benefit skilled employees in the services and manufacturing sectors. Second, employers need to update the payroll processes to account for recent revisions. Lastly, failing to comply with recent revisions might result in penalties Under The Minimum Wages Act 1948.
The new wage rates are effective from the First of April 2025, and you need to know the basics of minimum wages to better understand these recent revisions.
What is the Minimum Wages in Karnataka
The minimum wages in Karnataka are the lowest legally mandated wages that an employer needs to pay to employees. In Karnataka, these wage rates are determined under two regulations: The minimum Wages act 1948, and The Karnataka Minimum Wages Rules 1958,
The Minimum Wages Act 1948 provides for minimum wage rates in India. Also, it empowers states to frame their own rules. Subsequently, Karnataka passed The Karnataka Minimum Wages Rules in 1958, to fix labor rates in the state.
Under these rules, the state government revised the new wage rates on March 13 2025, effective From First Aprill 2025 to 31st March 2026. The state government specifies different minimum wage rates based on two categories: zonetime classification, and skill-based classification.
Zone Type Classification
The state government classifies Karnataka into four zones on the bases of population density, and urbanization.
- Zone I: It includes all the areas that are explicitly notified by the labor department under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The wage rates would be higher in zone I, due to higher cost of living.
- Zone II: This zone consists of all the other areas under (BBMP) The salary rates in zone II are moderate.
- Zone III: Zone III covers all the areas/districts that are outside Zone I and zone II. The labor rates are relatively lower in zone III.
- Zone IV: It comprises of all the areas outside Zone I, II, and III. This zone largely consists of rural areas, and the salary rates are teh lowest due to lower cost of living.
Skills-Based Classification
The Karnataka government defines five skill levels for fixing minimum wages:
- Highly Skilled Workers: These workers are highly proficient in their work and can supervise others. Supervisors, technical professionals, and pharmacists are some examples of highly skilled workers.
- Skilled Workers: Skilled workers are those who have some experience in their field and can work independently. For example, sales persons, mechanics, and technicians, among others.
- Semiskilled Workers: These workers include professionals who possess basic operational skills. For example, shop assistants and clerks.
- Unskilled Workers: This category comprises workers who perform manual work. For example, messengers and bicycle fitters.
- Office and Managerial Staff: This category consists of professionals such as senior clerical staff and receptionists.
Current Minimum Wages in Karnataka
The state government has revised wage rates for highly skilled, skilled, semiskilled, unskilled, and other employees in Karnataka. These wage rates would cover employees under zones I, II, III, and IV. The latest revisions are applicable from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026. Here are some tables covering the latest minimum wage rates in Karnataka. are
Applicability: 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026
Highly Skilled Minimum Wages in Karnataka
| Designation | Zone | Basic Per Day | Basic Per Month | VDA | Total Per Day | Total Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist & Chemist, Technical Supervisor, Other High Skilled | Zone I | ₹593.21 | ₹15,423.40 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹751.43 | ₹19,537 |
| Zone II | ₹564.96 | ₹14,688.95 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹723.18 | ₹18,802.55 | |
| Zone III | ₹538.06 | ₹13,989.48 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹696.28 | ₹18,103.08 | |
| Zone IV | ₹512.44 | ₹13,323.31 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹670.66 | ₹17,436.91 |
Skilled Minimum Wages in Karnataka
| Designation | Zone | Basic Per Day | Basic Per Month | VDA | Total Per Day | Total Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salesmen/Sales Girl, Compounder,Photo-Artist, Photographer, Watch Mechanic/Repairer, Radio Mechanic/Repairer, TV Mechanic/Repairer, Optical Mechanic/Repairer, Skilled Labour in Lift Fixing, Installing Establishment,Technician/Mechanical, Instrument Shop Carpenter(Furniture Shop), Polisher(Furniture Shop),Refractionarian(Optical Shop), Hair Dresser(In Hair Dressing Saloon) Air Condition Plant Operator, Umbrella/Suitcase Maker | Zone I | ₹539.28 | ₹14,021.27 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹697.50 | ₹18,134.87 |
| Zone II | ₹513.60 | ₹13,353.59 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹671.82 | ₹17,467.19 | |
| Zone III | ₹489.14 | ₹12,717.71 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹647.36 | ₹16,831.31 | |
| Zone IV | ₹465.85 | ₹12,112.10 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹624.07 | ₹16,225.70 |
Semi Skilled Minimum Wages in Karnataka
| Designation | Zone | Basic Per Day | Basic Per Month | VDA | Total Per Day | Total Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Collector,Bill Clerk, Godown Keeper, Booking Clerk, Assistant Sales Man/Sales Girl, Assistant Photo Artist, Shop Assistant, Packer, Gas Supplier, Stove Repairer, Painter, Fruit Juice or Lassi Maker in the Shops | Zone I | ₹490.25 | ₹12,746.61 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹648.47 | ₹16,860.21 |
| Zone II | ₹466.91 | ₹12,139.63 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹625.13 | ₹16,253.23 | |
| Zone III | ₹444.68 | ₹11,561.55 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹602.90 | ₹15,675.15 | |
| Zone IV | ₹423.50 | ₹11,011 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹581.72 | ₹15,124.60 |
Unskilled Minimum Wages in Karnataka
| Designation | Zone | Basic Per Day | Basic Per Month | VDA | Total Per Day | Total Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Messenger, Weighing Man, Bicycle Fitter/Repairer, Workers Engaged In Drying, Storing, Washing, Ironing(In Laundry), Measuring, Loading And Unloading In Warehousing Godowns, Storerooms General Workers And Clerical Cadre, Gunny Stitcher | Zone I | ₹445.69 | ₹11,587.83 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹603.91 | ₹15,701.43 |
| Zone II | ₹424.46 | ₹11,036.03 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹582.68 | ₹15,149.63 | |
| Zone III | ₹404.25 | ₹10,510.50 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹562.47 | ₹14,624.10 | |
| Zone IV | ₹385 | ₹10,010 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹543.22 | ₹14,123.60 |
Office Staff Unskilled Minimum Wages in Karnataka
| Designation | Zone | Basic Per Day | Basic Per Month | VDA | Total Per Day | Total Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager/ Personal Officer, Marketing Manager, Office Supervisor Or Any Other equivalent position | Zone I | ₹631 | ₹16,423 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹789.22 | ₹20,536.60 |
| Zone II | ₹603.38 | ₹15,688 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹761.60 | ₹19,801.60 | |
| Zone III | ₹576.50 | ₹14,989 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹734.72 | ₹19,102.60 | |
| Zone IV | ₹550.88 | ₹14,323 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹709.10 | ₹18,436.60 | |
| Assistant Manager/ Assistant Personal Manager, Senior Accountant And Any Other Equivalent Position | Zone I | ₹593.21 | ₹15,423.40 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹751.43 | ₹19,537 |
| Zone II | ₹564.96 | ₹14,688.95 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹723.18 | ₹18,802.55 | |
| Zone III | ₹538.06 | ₹13,989.48 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹696.28 | ₹18,103.08 | |
| Zone IV | ₹512.44 | ₹13,323.31 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹670.66 | ₹17,436.91 | |
| Senior Clerk, Cashier, Judgement Writer, Stenographer, Storekeeper, Receptionist, Any Other Equivalent Position | Zone I | ₹539.28 | ₹14,021.27 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹697.50 | ₹18,134.87 |
| Zone II | ₹513.60 | ₹13,353.59 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹671.82 | ₹17,467.19 | |
| Zone III | ₹489.14 | ₹12,717.71 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹647.36 | ₹16,831.31 | |
| Zone IV | ₹465.85 | ₹12,112.10 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹624.07 | ₹16,225.70 | |
| Junior Clerk, Booking Clerk, Computer Operator, Typist, Telephone Operator, Data Entry Operator and Any Equivalent Position | Zone I | ₹490.25 | ₹12,746.61 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹648.47 | ₹16,860.21 |
| Zone II | ₹466.91 | ₹12,139.63 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹625.13 | ₹16,253.23 | |
| Zone III | ₹444.68 | ₹11,561.55 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹602.90 | ₹15,675.15 | |
| Zone IV | ₹423.50 | ₹11,011 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹581.72 | ₹15,124.60 | |
| Peon, Watchman, Lift Operator, Office Boy, Attender, Helper, Dalayath Mazdoor, Sweeper and Any Equivalent Position | Zone I | ₹445.69 | ₹11,587.83 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹603.91 | ₹15,701.43 |
| Zone II | ₹424.46 | ₹11,036.03 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹582.68 | ₹15,149.63 | |
| Zone III | ₹404.25 | ₹10,510.50 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹562.47 | ₹14,624.10 | |
| Zone IV | ₹385 | ₹10,010 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹543.22 | ₹14,123.60 |
Driver Minimum Wages in Karnataka
| Designation | Zone | Basic Per Day | Basic Per Month | VDA | Total Per Day | Total Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Vehicle Drivers, Tractor Drivers, Multi Axel and Heavy Vehicle Drivers, Earth Movers Drivers, Assembled Crane Drivers, Road Roller and Road Constructing Vehicle Drivers | Zone I | ₹539.28 | ₹14,021.27 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹697.50 | ₹18,134.87 |
| Zone II | ₹513.60 | ₹13,353.59 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹671.82 | ₹17,467.19 | |
| Zone III | ₹489.14 | ₹12,717.71 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹647.36 | ₹16,831.31 | |
| Zone IV | ₹465.85 | ₹12,112.10 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹624.07 | ₹16,225.70 | |
| Car Driver, Jeep Driver, Light Vehicle Drivers | Zone I | ₹490.25 | ₹12,746.61 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹648.47 | ₹16,860.21 |
| Zone II | ₹466.91 | ₹12,139.63 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹625.13 | ₹16,253.23 | |
| Zone III | ₹444.68 | ₹11,561.55 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹602.90 | ₹15,675.15 | |
| Zone IV | ₹423.50 | ₹11,011 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹581.72 | ₹15,124.60 | |
| Tum Tum Three Wheel Vehicle Drivers | Zone I | ₹445.69 | ₹11,587.83 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹603.91 | ₹15,701.43 |
| Zone II | ₹424.46 | ₹11,036.03 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹582.68 | ₹15,149.63 | |
| Zone III | ₹404.25 | ₹10,510.50 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹562.47 | ₹14,624.10 | |
| Zone VI | ₹385 | ₹10,010 | ₹4,113.60 | ₹543.22 | ₹14,123.60 |
Highly Skilled Workers Minimum Wages in Karnataka
| Designation | Zone | Basic Per Day | Basic Per Month | VDA | Total Per Day | Total Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security Officer, Field Officer | Zone I | ₹668.68 | ₹17,385.63 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹754 | ₹19,609.23 |
| Zone II | ₹636.84 | ₹16,557.74 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹722 | ₹18,781.34 | |
| Zone III | ₹606.51 | ₹15,769.28 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹692 | ₹17,992.88 | |
| Zone IV | ₹577.63 | ₹15,018.36 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹663 | ₹17,241.96 |
Skilled Workers Minimum Wages in Karnataka
| Designation | Zone | Basic Per Day | Basic Per Month | VDA | Total Per Day | Total Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security Supervisor, Security Inspector, Weapons Assistant, Assistant to Security Officer, Intelligence Personnel, Firefighting Personnel, Other Skilled Workers | Zone I | ₹617.63 | ₹16,058.3 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹703 | ₹18,281.9 |
| Zone II | ₹588.22 | ₹15,293.62 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹674 | ₹17,517.22 | |
| Zone III | ₹560.21 | ₹14,565.35 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹646 | ₹16,788.95 | |
| Zone IV | ₹533.53 | ₹13,871.76 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹619 | ₹16,095.36 |
Semi Skilled Workers Minimum Wages in Karnataka
| Designation | Zone | Basic Per Day | Basic Per Month | VDA | Total Per Day | Total Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security Guard without Arms, Head Guard, Security Searcher, Lift Operator, Other Semi-Skilled Workers | Zone I | ₹605.47 | ₹15,742.26 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹691 | ₹17,965.86 |
| Zone II | ₹576.64 | ₹14,992.63 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹662 | ₹17,216.23 | |
| Zone III | ₹599.18 | ₹14,278.7 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹635 | ₹16,502.3 | |
| Zone IV | ₹523.03 | ₹13,598.76 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹609 | ₹15,822.36 |
Unskilled Workers Minimum Wages in Karnataka
| Designation | Zone | Basic Per Day | Basic Per Month | VDA | Total Per Day | Total Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peon, Office Boy, Attender, Helper / Assistant, Dalayat, Majdur, Sweeper, Cleaner, Other Unskilled Workers | Zone I | ₹571.06 | ₹14,847.65 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹657 | ₹17,071.25 |
| Zone II | ₹543.87 | ₹14,140.62 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹629 | ₹16,364.22 | |
| Zone III | ₹517.97 | ₹13,467.26 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹603 | ₹15,690.86 | |
| Zone IV | ₹493.31 | ₹12,825.96 | ₹2,223.6 | ₹579 | ₹15,049.56 |
One can calculate the salary based on the above minimum wage in Karnataka depending upon the employee category.
Conclusion
The Karnataka wage revision guarantees that workers in the state are fairly compensated. Employers are expected to appropriately compute employee wages using state-mandated wage rates per Karnataka labor laws.
The minimum salary in Karnataka from 2025 to 2026 varies by zone since the state government has classified distinct regions according to their level of economic development. Areas considered more developed (such as big cities) have higher minimum wages than less developed rural areas. This ensures a more equitable distribution of income throughout the state.
Adhering to minimum labour wages in Karnataka is critical for protecting workers from exploitation. This is accomplished by ensuring all employees get a basic income. In return, it helps promote social justice and contributes to economic stability. Thus, it helps prevent poverty and promotes employment fairness. Any employer failing to adhere to the Karnataka salary structure may be liable to legal action.
Check out Minimum Wages in India for Different States to compare wage rates across the country:
Disclaimer
The table above shows the minimum wage rates in Karnataka as approved by the Labour Commissioner. While this information is valuable, it may not cover all relevant laws. We encourage everyone to stay informed. Neither the author nor factoHR can be held liable for any legal issues arising from this policy.
