Minimum Wages in Odisha

1. Minimum Wages
2. Minimum Wages in Odisha

Download Minimum Wages in Odisha Official Notification PDF

Odisha is one of the most economically flourishing states in India. The major industries that contribute to the growth are the metal and mineral industries. This also gives a way for the service sector to boom, leading to more job opportunities for the people in Odisha.

While there have been a few major leaps of advancement in Odisha, the state still faces challenges like lower agricultural productivity and direly needs better infrastructure. Keeping all this in mind, it is necessary to ensure that the workers in Odisha are paid fairly, and that is where the minimum wages in Odisha come into play. The wage policies are significant for improving the workers’ living standards and the state’s overall economic growth.

What is the Minimum Wages in Odisha

Minimum Wages in Odisha mandates employers to pay their workers fairly, corresponding to their skillsets and labor. The Minimum Wages Act of 1948 led each state in India to have different criteria and minimum wage rates. Specifically focusing on Odisha, the minimum wage rate is set based on a standard salary that covers all the basic necessities of an individual.

The Odisha government categorizes and revises minimum wages through the worker assessment, employee type, and the average sum required to sustain in a specific region. Like the majority of the minimum wage structure, Odisha divides the types of labor into four categories: highly-skilled workers, skilled workers, semi skilled workers, and unskilled workers.

Classification of Minimum Wages in Odisha

Highly Skilled Workers

Workers considered highly skilled are professionals with expertise achieved through advanced education or several years of experience. These individuals can be trusted to make critical judgments related to work, along with ensuring their decisions are followed through. They help the organization grow and succeed.

Skilled Workers

Workers who possess skills achieved through education or training belong to this category. Individuals in this position are qualified to perform different tasks requiring specific professional expertise. Typical examples of this category include technicians alongside operators and craftspersons who greatly enhance different industrial sectors.

Semi Skilled Workers

These workers have a moderate level of skills, though it is higher than that of unskilled workers. They can perform tasks after they have been thoroughly trained and supervised, but even then, they are incapable of performing complex tasks independently.

Unskilled Workers

As the word suggests, unskilled workers possess no skills and are able to perform tasks related to repetitive manual labor and basic physical work. They do not need professional qualifications or supervised training to acquire such jobs. These roles include cleaning services, transporting objects, and general labor duties. They are the backbone of the Indian labor market but are often the most unfairly paid class of workers.

Current Minimum Wages in Odisha 2025

Below is the current minimum wage structure for various categories of employment in Odisha as of 2025:

Date of Notification: 30th September, 2024

Date of Applicability: 1st October, 2024

Conclusion

Establishing minimum wages in Odisha reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding workers from exploitation. The recent Odisha Minimum Wages Notification update ensures that all workers, from highly skilled professionals to unskilled laborers, receive fair recognition for their contributions. This move is a positive step toward enhancing the welfare of workers throughout the state.

Companies need to be compliant with minimum wage in Odisha to avoid legal complications and maintain the employee morale and trust. To accomplish that, it is recommended that they examine the latest minimum wages in Odisha and other states in India.