How Andhra Pradesh sets its minimum wages
Andhra Pradesh still fixes minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, with a separate schedule for each scheduled employment. For Shops and Commercial Establishments, wages are set by job designation (from peon and helper up to manager), not by simple unskilled or skilled bands, and are split across two zones as a basic wage plus a Variable Dearness Allowance.
Because published sources differ on how the intermediate designations map to skill bands, this page shows only the verified floor and ceiling; confirm the exact rate for a specific designation and zone against the official schedule. These figures apply for 1 April to 30 September 2026.
Andhra Pradesh revises the Variable Dearness Allowance twice a year, effective 1 April and 1 October, based on the cost-of-living index. The current figures apply until 30 September 2026.
Zones in Andhra Pradesh
- Zone I covers all Municipal Corporations and Selection-Grade and Special-Grade Municipalities.
- Zone II covers the rest of the state.
What employers must do
- Pay every worker at least the notified minimum for their skill category and zone. Paying below it is an offence.
- Pay overtime at twice the ordinary rate for work beyond normal hours.
- Maintain a wage register, muster roll and wage slips, and pay within the wage period.
- Update payroll at each revision so no worker slips below the new minimum.
For contractors and staffing firms deploying workers across Andhra Pradesh, keeping every worker on the right skill and zone rate by hand is error-prone. ZeniaHR payroll checks each worker's wage against the applicable state minimum automatically and handles the registers and PF/ESI returns.
Related calculators
Work out the deductions on a Andhra Pradesh wage with our free tools: the in-hand salary calculator, the PF calculator and the ESI calculator. Confirm the official rates on the Andhra Pradesh Labour Department.
Keep every worker on the right wage, automatically
ZeniaHR flags any worker paid below the applicable minimum wage and updates rates at each revision. Built only for manpower and staffing companies.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Andhra Pradesh in 2026?
For shops and commercial establishments, an un-skilled worker (peon, helper, watchman or security guard) earns at least ₹12,647 per month in Zone I and ₹12,317 in Zone II, rising to about ₹14,504 for a manager grade, effective 1 April to 30 September 2026.
What is the minimum wage for a security guard in Andhra Pradesh?
A security guard falls under the unskilled designation for shops, so at least ₹12,647 per month in Zone I and ₹12,317 in Zone II, effective 1 April to 30 September 2026. A security officer is paid the higher grade.
Has Andhra Pradesh moved to the Code on Wages?
Not for wage-fixing. Andhra Pradesh has framed its Code on Wages rules, but minimum wages are still fixed under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, through these half-yearly VDA notifications.
What are the wage zones in Andhra Pradesh?
Zone I covers all Municipal Corporations and Selection-Grade and Special-Grade Municipalities. Zone II is the rest of the state. Zone I rates are higher.