Labour Rates India 2026: ₹450–₹1,200/Day | State-wise + Free Calculator

Introduction

Construction labour rates (also spelled labor rates in American English) in India vary by state, skill level, and project type. This guide covers typical daily wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers in 2026, plus overtime rules and how to estimate labour cost for your project.

Quick estimate: Use our Labour Cost Estimator to get state-wise labour costs instantly.

Skill Categories and Typical Daily Rates (2026)

Skill Level	Roles	Daily Rate Range (₹)
Unskilled	Helper, mazdoor, bhisti	450 – 650
Semi-skilled	Mason, carpenter, painter, plumber, electrician	600 – 900
Skilled	Supervisor, fitter, experienced specialist	800 – 1,200+

Rates are approximate. Metro cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore) tend to be 15–25% higher than tier-2 cities.

State-Wise Variation

Labour rates are set by state governments under the Minimum Wages Act. Key factors:

• Cost of living – Metro vs small town
• Demand – High-activity states (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat) often pay more
• Skill availability – Shortage of skilled workers increases rates

Sample State Ranges (Unskilled Construction Worker)

State	Approx Daily (₹)	Semi-Skilled (₹)
Maharashtra	550 – 700	700 – 900
Delhi	550 – 680	680 – 850
Karnataka	500 – 650	650 – 850
Tamil Nadu	480 – 620	620 – 800
Gujarat	500 – 640	640 – 820
Uttar Pradesh	450 – 580	580 – 750
Bihar / Jharkhand	420 – 550	550 – 700
Rajasthan	450 – 600	600 – 780
West Bengal	480 – 620	620 – 800
Kerala	550 – 700	700 – 900
Telangana / Andhra Pradesh	500 – 650	650 – 850
Madhya Pradesh	450 – 580	580 – 750
Punjab / Haryana	500 – 650	650 – 850

Check your state labour department for notified minimum wages. Our minimum wage calculator helps with state-wise lookups.

Metro vs Tier-2: Practical Rate Comparison

Metro cities (Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune): Expect rates 15–25% higher than the state average. Skilled workers in commercial projects may command ₹1,000–₹1,400/day.

Tier-2 cities (Jaipur, Lucknow, Indore, Bhubaneswar): Typically 10–15% below metro rates. House construction cost by city helps you factor labour into total project cost.

Rural / village projects: Rates can be 20–30% lower, but availability of skilled workers may require bringing labour from nearby towns.

Overtime Rules

• Standard: 1.5× (time and a half) the hourly rate for overtime
• Some states: 2× for hours beyond the first 2 hours of OT
• Hourly rate: Daily wage ÷ 8 hours (standard working day)

Example: ₹600/day base → ₹75/hour → OT = ₹112.50/hour (1.5×)

For exact calculation, use our overtime calculator and daily wage with overtime and advance deduction calculator.

How to Estimate Labour Cost for Your Project

1. List activities – Masonry, carpentry, plastering, plumbing, etc.
2. Estimate man-days – Workers × days per activity
3. Apply state-wise rates – Use Labour Cost Estimator
4. Add overtime – If work exceeds 8 hours/day
5. Add supervisory cost – Site engineer, mukadam (10–15% of labour)

Tip: Track actual labour and wages with Yojo contractor app to compare estimate vs actual and control cost.

Compliance: Muster Roll and Wage Records

Under the BOCW Act, contractors must maintain:

• Muster roll – Daily attendance
• Wage register – Payment records
• Overtime records

Use our muster roll generator to create BOCW-compliant records. Digital attendance tracking reduces errors and wage disputes.

Tips to Manage Labour Cost

1. Get multiple quotes – Compare local labour rates before finalising
2. Use piece-rate where suitable – Can be more efficient than daily wage for measurable work
3. Track attendance properly – Prevent fake attendance and labour leakage
4. Plan overtime – Budget for OT; avoid surprise costs
5. Maintain records – Muster roll, advances, deductions for smooth payments

Quick Action: Estimate Your Project Labour Cost Now

1. Open the Labour Cost Estimator – Select your state, skill mix, and worker count.
2. Add overtime – Use the overtime calculator if your site runs beyond 8 hours.
3. Compare with house construction cost – For residential projects, cross-check with house construction cost by city or use the house construction cost calculator to ensure labour fits your total budget.
4. Track actual vs estimated – Use Yojo contractor app to log daily attendance and wages, so you can compare estimate vs actual and catch cost overruns early.

City-wise Labour Rates

Labour rates by city: Indore, Jaipur, Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata.

Related Tools

• Labour Cost Estimator – State-wise labour cost for projects
• Daily Wage Calculator – Per-day wage with OT and deductions
• Overtime Calculator – OT pay calculation
• Minimum Wage Lookup – State-wise minimum wages
• Muster Roll Generator – BOCW-compliant attendance records

City-Tier Adjustment (Metro vs Tier-2 vs District HQ)

When you open a city-wise labour rates page, indicative bands may be slightly higher in major metros (roughly +10–15% vs the same state’s rural notified minimums) because on-site demand, travel time, and commercial project intensity push market rates above paper minimums. Tier-2 industrial cities often sit in the middle (~+5–8%). District headquarters from our expanded city list track closer to the state baseline—always confirm with local mukadam / contractor quotes before locking BOQ.

This tier logic is a planning aid, not a legal wage notification. For compliance, rely on your state labour department’s scheduled rates and your muster/wage registers.

Conclusion

Construction labour rates in India (2026) range from ₹450–₹650/day (unskilled) to ₹800–₹1,200+/day (skilled), varying by state. Use our Labour Cost Estimator for project budgeting. Track actual wages and attendance with Yojo contractor app to stay on budget and maintain compliance.