This page shows the current applicable minimum wage for workers in Warehousing and Logistics in Karnataka. It lists the notified rates by skill category so employers and workers can confirm the correct pay for warehouse, storage, handling, and dispatch roles across Karnataka.
Minimum wage rates for Warehousing and Logistics 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 Warehousing and Logistics
Warehousing and Logistics covers the receiving, storage, handling, inventory control, order picking, packing, and dispatch of goods, together with the loading, unloading, and internal movement of consignments across warehouses, distribution centres, and freight facilities. It includes general as well as specialised storage operations such as cold chain, bonded, and bulk material handling.
- Warehouses and godowns
- Distribution and fulfilment centres
- Cold storage and refrigerated warehouses
- Container freight stations and inland container depots
- Third-party logistics (3PL) and courier or parcel hubs
- Bonded warehouses and customs storage yards
- Cargo consolidation and transport depots
Typical roles and skill categories
- Warehouse helper and loader-unloader
- Forklift and reach truck operator
- Order picker and packer
- Stores and inventory clerk
- Material handling equipment operator
- Cold storage operator
- Dispatch and documentation clerk
- Warehouse supervisor
- Logistics coordinator
In this employment, the unskilled category usually covers loaders, unloaders, and general warehouse helpers, while semi-skilled covers packers, order pickers, and basic material handling roles. The skilled category typically includes forklift and reach truck operators, stores or inventory clerks, and cold storage operators, and highly-skilled covers warehouse supervisors and logistics coordinators who plan operations and manage teams.
Who fixes this wage
Warehousing and Logistics is a notified scheduled employment for which the Karnataka government fixes minimum wages by skill category, and in many cases by zone or area classification. Employers must pay at least the applicable rate for each worker according to their skill level and place of work.
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 Warehousing and Logistics in Karnataka?
In Karnataka, the minimum wage for Warehousing and Logistics 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.
Which warehouse workers are covered by minimum wages in Karnataka?
All workers engaged in receiving, storing, handling, picking, packing, loading, unloading, and dispatching goods in a warehouse or logistics facility are covered, whether employed directly or through a contractor. The rate that applies depends on the worker's skill category and, where notified, the zone in Karnataka.
How is a forklift operator classified for minimum wage purposes?
Classification follows the nature of the work and the skill it requires: operating powered material handling equipment such as forklifts or reach trucks is generally treated as skilled work, while manual handling and basic packing fall under lower categories. Employers should map each role in their facility to the skill category defined in the Karnataka notification for Warehousing and Logistics.
Do cold storage and bonded warehouse jobs follow the same minimum wage schedule?
Yes, the scheduled employment covers specialised storage such as cold chain and bonded warehousing, and the applicable rate is set by skill category and zone under the Karnataka notification. Some low-temperature or hazardous roles may be classified at a higher skill level, so check the category assigned to the specific job in your facility.
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.
Book a demo