What a carpenter does, and why the rate moves by state
Carpenters make and fit furniture and wooden structures, then finish and repair them. Trade skill and an eye for finish place them in the skilled grade.
A carpenter typically handles furniture making, wood fitting, finishing and repairs, work generally classified as skilled, and is deployed at interior firms, construction sites and workshops. Because each state sets its own minimum wage under the Minimum Wages Act, with its own skill bands, zones and twice-yearly dearness-allowance revisions, the same carpenter can be owed very different pay in two neighbouring states. That is why staffing and manpower firms deploying across states cannot run one flat wage: each posting must be checked against the state schedule for the worker's category and zone.
Underpaying even by the difference between two zones is an offence under the Act and surfaces the moment a principal employer audits the wage register. The safe practice is to re-check every rate on 1 April and 1 October, when most states revise, and to keep the wage register, muster roll and wage slips current for each site.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the highest minimum wage for a carpenter?
Among the verified states, Jharkhand has the highest at about ≈ ₹18,512 a month for a skilled carpenter, and Rajasthan the lowest at about ₹8,034. Rates revise every six months, so confirm against the latest state notification.
Is a carpenter skilled or unskilled?
For minimum-wage purposes a carpenter doing furniture making, wood fitting, finishing and repairs is generally classified as skilled. The exact category can vary with duties and the scheduled employment, so confirm against the state notification.
Why does the carpenter minimum wage differ by state?
Minimum wages are set state by state under the Minimum Wages Act, each with its own skill bands, zones and dearness-allowance revisions. That is why the same role can pay very differently across states.