What a store keeper does, and why the rate moves by state
Store keepers receive, issue and account for material, keep the stock ledger and reconcile physical stock. Record-keeping and basic system skills place them around the semi-skilled or clerical grade.
A store keeper typically handles stock receipt, issue, ledger keeping and stock reconciliation, work generally classified as semi-skilled, and is deployed at factories, projects, hospitals and distribution centres. 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 store keeper 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 store keeper?
Among the verified states, Telangana has the highest at about ₹17,000 a month for a semi-skilled store keeper, and Rajasthan the lowest at about ₹7,722. Rates revise every six months, so confirm against the latest state notification.
Is a store keeper skilled or unskilled?
For minimum-wage purposes a store keeper doing stock receipt, issue, ledger keeping and stock reconciliation is generally classified as semi-skilled. The exact category can vary with duties and the scheduled employment, so confirm against the state notification.
Why does the store keeper 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.