This page shows the current applicable minimum wage for workers in Construction and Building Works in Karnataka, set out by skill category and, where notified, by zone. Whether you run a site or work on one, you can read the latest applicable rates for Karnataka below.
Minimum wage rates for Construction and Building Works in Karnataka
| Category of worker | Zone I | Zone II | Zone III | Zone IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Un-skilled | ₹620.66 | ₹599.43 | ₹579.22 | ₹559.97 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹665.22 | ₹641.88 | ₹619.65 | ₹598.47 |
| Skilled | ₹714.25 | ₹688.57 | ₹664.11 | ₹640.82 |
| Highly-skilled | ₹768.18 | ₹739.93 | ₹713.03 | ₹687.41 |
Rates effective 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
What counts as Construction and Building Works
Construction and Building Works covers labour engaged in the construction, alteration, repair, maintenance or demolition of buildings, roads, bridges, dams, canals and other civil structures, including tasks such as excavation, masonry, concreting, bar bending, shuttering, plastering, tiling and finishing. It also extends to allied site activities like scaffolding, waterproofing, centering and general site preparation.
- Residential and commercial building construction sites
- Road, highway, flyover and bridge construction projects
- Infrastructure works such as dams, canals and irrigation projects
- Real estate and township development sites
- Government public works and municipal construction sites
- Industrial plant, warehouse and factory construction sites
- Contractor and sub-contractor field operations at project locations
Typical roles and skill categories
- Unskilled helper or beldar (mazdoor)
- Mason (raj mistri)
- Bar bender and steel fixer
- Shuttering and centering carpenter
- Plumber and pipe fitter
- Site electrician
- Painter and plasterer
- Crane and heavy equipment operator
- Site supervisor or foreman
In Construction and Building Works, unskilled generally covers helpers, beldars and load carriers, semi-skilled covers those assisting tradesmen such as mason helpers and bar bending helpers, while skilled covers masons, carpenters, bar benders, plumbers and electricians. Highly skilled typically covers specialised operators and technicians such as crane operators, surveyors and workers handling complex structural or finishing work.
Who fixes this wage
Construction and Building Works is a notified scheduled employment under minimum wage law, for which the Karnataka government fixes minimum wages by skill category: unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled. Rates are commonly notified separately by geographical zone or area class, so the applicable figure depends on both the worker's skill grade and the location of the site.
How Karnataka sets minimum wages
Karnataka fixes minimum wages under its Shops and Commercial Establishments schedule, dividing the state into four zones numbered I to IV. Rates are set for four categories of worker and are kept current through a variable dearness allowance rather than a fresh base notification each period. The dearness-allowance revision applies from 1 April 2026 and runs through to 31 March 2027.
Common questions
What is the current minimum wage for Construction and Building Works in Karnataka?
In Karnataka, the minimum wage for Construction and Building Works currently runs from about ₹559.97 to ₹768.18 per day, depending on skill category and zone, effective 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. The exact figure by category is in the table below. Confirm the exact rate for your worker's skill category and zone in the table above, and against the latest official notification.
Does the minimum wage for Construction and Building Works apply to workers hired through a labour contractor in Karnataka?
Yes. The notified minimum wage applies to construction workers whether they are engaged directly or through a contractor or sub-contractor. The principal employer remains responsible for ensuring that contract labour on the site is paid at least the rate fixed for their skill category in Karnataka.
How do I decide which skill category a construction worker falls into?
Classification depends on the work actually performed, not the job title alone. A worker doing masonry, carpentry, bar bending, plumbing or electrical work is usually treated as skilled, a worker assisting those trades as semi-skilled, and a general labourer or load carrier as unskilled; specialised operator or technician duties attract the highly skilled rate.
Do zone or area differences affect the construction minimum wage in Karnataka?
Yes. Karnataka commonly fixes construction rates by geographical zone or area class, so the same skill category can carry a different rate depending on whether the site lies in a metropolitan, urban or rural area. Employers should apply the rate notified for the zone in which the construction site is located.
Never underpay in Karnataka
ZeniaHR maps every worker to the correct minimum-wage notification by state, skill and zone, and flags anyone paid below it.
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