What a lineman does, and how the wage is set
Linemen erect, maintain and repair electrical distribution lines, restore faults and make service connections, often at height and on live networks. The safety-critical, licensed nature of the work places them in the skilled grade, distinct from a premises electrician.
A lineman typically does overhead and underground line work, fault repair and connections, work generally classified as skilled for minimum-wage purposes, so use the skilled category in the table above for the base rate. A supervisor or a specialised lineman may sit a grade higher and must be paid more. Linemans are commonly deployed at power distribution utilities, contractors and industrial estates.
Tamil Nadu revises the VDA each year, effective 1 April, based on the Chennai City Consumer Price Index. The 2026-27 rates apply from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. For how Tamil Nadu structures and revises its rates in full, including every category and zone, see the Tamil Nadu minimum wages page.
What employers must do
- Pay every lineman at least the notified minimum for their 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 staffing firms deploying linemen across Tamil Nadu, keeping each worker on the right category and zone rate by hand is error-prone. ZeniaHR payroll checks every wage against the applicable state minimum automatically and handles the registers and PF/ESI returns. See also our statutory compliance software.
Related calculators
Work out the deductions on a Tamil Nadu wage with the in-hand salary calculator, the PF calculator and the ESI calculator.
Keep every worker on the right wage
ZeniaHR flags any worker paid below the applicable minimum and updates rates at each revision. Built for manpower and staffing firms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage for a lineman in Tamil Nadu?
A lineman is generally classified as skilled in Tamil Nadu, so use the skilled category in the state schedule. Confirm the exact rate for the zone and duties against the official notification.
Is a lineman skilled or unskilled in Tamil Nadu?
For minimum-wage purposes a lineman doing overhead and underground line work, fault repair and connections is normally treated as skilled. Classification can vary with the exact duties and the scheduled employment, so always confirm against the official Tamil Nadu notification.
How often does the Tamil Nadu minimum wage change?
Tamil Nadu revises the VDA each year, effective 1 April, based on the Chennai City Consumer Price Index. The 2026-27 rates apply from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.