How Odisha sets its minimum wages
Odisha fixes a single statewide minimum wage by skill category (unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and highly-skilled), with no zones. Each wage is a basic rate plus a Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), currently ₹10 per day, and the monthly figure is the daily rate multiplied by 26. The schedule covers Shops and Commercial Establishments and more than 90 scheduled employments.
These figures apply for 1 April to 30 September 2026 and will be revised on 1 October 2026.
Odisha revises the VDA twice a year, effective 1 April and 1 October, based on the cost-of-living index.
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 Odisha, 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 Odisha wage with our free tools: the in-hand salary calculator, the PF calculator and the ESI calculator. Confirm the official rates on the Odisha Labour Directorate.
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 Odisha in 2026?
For 1 April to 30 September 2026, an un-skilled worker earns at least ₹472 per day, about ₹12,272 per month. Semi-skilled is ₹522, skilled ₹572 and highly-skilled ₹622 per day. Odisha uses one statewide rate with no zones.
Does Odisha have wage zones?
No. Odisha sets a single statewide minimum wage by skill category, with no zone-wise variation.
How often does Odisha revise minimum wages?
Twice a year, effective 1 April and 1 October, through a Variable Dearness Allowance. The current figures apply until 30 September 2026.
What is the minimum wage for a security guard in Odisha?
Under the general schedule a security guard is usually paid the semi-skilled rate of about ₹522 per day, or the skilled rate for a supervisor. Confirm the classification for the role.