Minimum wages by state for security, housekeeping and construction

Which states have verified minimum wages here?

We only publish a rate after reading it in the state's official notification. States marked "Not yet verified" link to a short page with the official labour department, so you can check the current rate there.

How are minimum wages set?

Since 21 November 2025, minimum wages are fixed under the Code on Wages, 2019, which replaced the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. The "appropriate government" fixes them: the central government for its own establishments (including many central PSUs), and the state government for almost everything else. That is why a security agency with sites in two states works with two sets of rates.

A state's table usually varies by:

• Type of work: security services, shops and establishments, construction, and so on.
• Skill level: unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled.
• Zone: cities usually pay more than towns and villages.

For establishments under the central government, the Ministry of Labour and Employment (through the Labour Bureau and the Chief Labour Commissioner) publishes the rates, including those for watch and ward, sweeping and cleaning, and building construction, by area A, B and C. The current order is the Labour Bureau VDA order payable from 1 October 2026; earlier orders are listed on the Chief Labour Commissioner's minimum wages page. Under rule 4 of the Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2026, the central VDA is recomputed before 1 April and before 1 October each year, so always use the order in force for the month you are paying.

Each state page follows that state's own notification: it shows the rates in the basis the state notifies them, monthly or daily. Where we show the other figure for convenience, we convert at 26 days a month, the factor rule 3(2) of the Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2026 uses for the central sphere; your state's notification may convert differently.

What is VDA, and why does it change?

VDA (variable dearness allowance) is the part of the minimum wage that follows prices. The government sets a fixed basic rate and then revises the VDA from the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers. For the central sphere, rule 4 of the Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2026 has the VDA recomputed before 1 April and before 1 October every year; states set their own revision dates. A VDA rise applies from its effective date, whether or not your client has agreed a new rate yet, so watch for the notification and update your salary sheet the same month. Our guide explains how VDA is worked out, where to find your state's latest revision, and how to read a VDA notification next to the basic-rate table.

Read the guide to VDA in minimum wages →

What is the national floor wage?

Section 9 of the Code on Wages, 2019 lets the central government fix a national floor wage, which may differ by geographical area. No state may set its minimum wage below it. The floor wage does not replace your state's rate: you still pay at least what the state notifies for the type of work, skill and zone. When we last checked, we did not find a floor wage notified under the Code, so we do not quote a figure. The guide explains how the floor wage works, how it relates to state rates, and why it rarely changes what a contractor pays in practice.

Read the guide to the national floor wage →

What does a wage revision do to your client rate?

A revision raises your cost per post by more than the wage itself, because PF, ESI, bonus, the reliever and your service charge are all worked out on the wage. You must pay the new wage from its effective date. To recover it, recalculate the rate per post, send your client a short revision letter with the notification attached, and bill the new rate from the same date. This only works smoothly if your contract has a revision clause. The guide has a worked example and a sample letter outline.

Read how to update client rates after a revision →

How do you turn a minimum wage into a rate per post?

Every state page has a "what this means for your rate per post" link that opens the manpower rate calculator with that state's basic and VDA already filled in. The calculator adds the reliever, PF, ESI, bonus, uniform, your service charge and GST. The rate per post guide explains each line.