This page shows the current applicable minimum wage for Domestic Workers in Karnataka, as notified by the Karnataka government. Use the rate table below to find the wage that applies to the role and skill category you employ or work in.
Minimum wage rates for Domestic Workers 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 Domestic Workers
Domestic Workers covers persons employed in private households to carry out domestic tasks such as cleaning, cooking, washing, childcare, care of the elderly or sick, and general upkeep of the home. It includes workers engaged full-time, part-time, live-in, or across several households on a visiting basis.
- Private residences and independent houses
- Apartments and flats in residential societies
- Bungalows and gated community homes
- Households engaging live-in domestic staff
- Households engaging part-time or visiting help
- Residential staff quarters and accommodation provided by the employer
- Placement and recruitment agencies that supply domestic workers
Typical roles and skill categories
- House cleaner or maid
- Cook
- Nanny or child caregiver
- Elderly or patient attendant
- Housekeeper or house manager
- Household driver
- Gardener or mali
- Utensil and dish washer
- Residential watchman or caretaker
In domestic work, general helpers, sweepers, and utensil washers usually fall under the unskilled category, while part-time maids handling varied chores, cooks of routine meals, and gardeners are commonly treated as semi-skilled. Trained cooks, experienced nannies, and dedicated patient or elderly attendants often map to the skilled category, and specialised staff such as household managers or professional chefs may be classed as highly skilled.
Who fixes this wage
Domestic Workers is a notified scheduled employment for which the Karnataka government fixes minimum wages by skill category, and in many cases by geographic zone or area classification. The applicable rate depends on the category the worker's duties fall under and, where notified, the zone in which the household is located.
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 Domestic Workers in Karnataka?
In Karnataka, the minimum wage for Domestic Workers 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 differ for live-in and part-time domestic workers in Karnataka?
The notified minimum wage is set by skill category and, where applicable, by zone, so the rate turns on the nature of the duties and their classification rather than only on whether the worker is live-in or part-time. Part-time or multi-household arrangements are usually paid on a proportionate basis for the hours or tasks agreed, using the category that matches the work actually performed.
How do I decide which skill category applies to a cook or a caregiver?
Match the worker's duties and level of training to the categories notified by the Karnataka government: a general helper differs from a trained cook, and a routine attendant differs from an experienced patient or elderly caregiver. When one person handles duties spanning more than one role, classify by the predominant skilled task they perform.
Besides wages, what should an employer and worker record for domestic work in Karnataka?
The table on this page reflects the notified minimum wage, while conditions such as weekly rest, leave, and any welfare board provisions follow the applicable rules in Karnataka. Both sides should keep a simple written record of the duties agreed, the days and hours worked, and the skill category applied, so the correct wage can be checked and disputes avoided.
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