Construction Labour Rates India 2026: ₹450–₹1,200/Day by State

Introduction

Construction labour rates in India vary by state, skill level, and project type. This guide covers typical daily wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers in 2026, plus overtime rules and how to estimate labour cost for your project.

Quick estimate: Use our Labour Cost Estimator to get state-wise labour costs instantly.

Skill Categories and Typical Daily Rates (2026)

Skill Level	Roles	Daily Rate Range (₹)
Unskilled	Helper, mazdoor, bhisti	450 – 650
Semi-skilled	Mason, carpenter, painter, plumber, electrician	600 – 900
Skilled	Supervisor, fitter, experienced specialist	800 – 1,200+

Rates are approximate. Metro cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore) tend to be 15–25% higher than tier-2 cities.

State-Wise Variation

Labour rates are set by state governments under the Minimum Wages Act. Key factors:

• Cost of living – Metro vs small town
• Demand – High-activity states (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat) often pay more
• Skill availability – Shortage of skilled workers increases rates

Sample State Ranges (Unskilled Construction Worker)

State	Approx Daily (₹)
Maharashtra	550 – 700
Delhi	550 – 680
Karnataka	500 – 650
Tamil Nadu	480 – 620
Gujarat	500 – 640
Uttar Pradesh	450 – 580
Bihar / Jharkhand	420 – 550

Check your state labour department for notified minimum wages. Our minimum wage calculator helps with state-wise lookups.

Overtime Rules

• Standard: 1.5× (time and a half) the hourly rate for overtime
• Some states: 2× for hours beyond the first 2 hours of OT
• Hourly rate: Daily wage ÷ 8 hours (standard working day)

Example: ₹600/day base → ₹75/hour → OT = ₹112.50/hour (1.5×)

For exact calculation, use our overtime calculator and daily wage with overtime and advance deduction calculator.

How to Estimate Labour Cost for Your Project

1. List activities – Masonry, carpentry, plastering, plumbing, etc.
2. Estimate man-days – Workers × days per activity
3. Apply state-wise rates – Use Labour Cost Estimator
4. Add overtime – If work exceeds 8 hours/day
5. Add supervisory cost – Site engineer, mukadam (10–15% of labour)

Tip: Track actual labour and wages with Yojo contractor app to compare estimate vs actual and control cost.

Compliance: Muster Roll and Wage Records

Under the BOCW Act, contractors must maintain:

• Muster roll – Daily attendance
• Wage register – Payment records
• Overtime records

Use our muster roll generator to create BOCW-compliant records. Digital attendance tracking reduces errors and wage disputes.

Tips to Manage Labour Cost

1. Get multiple quotes – Compare local labour rates before finalising
2. Use piece-rate where suitable – Can be more efficient than daily wage for measurable work
3. Track attendance properly – Prevent fake attendance and labour leakage
4. Plan overtime – Budget for OT; avoid surprise costs
5. Maintain records – Muster roll, advances, deductions for smooth payments

Related Tools

• Labour Cost Estimator – State-wise labour cost for projects
• Daily Wage Calculator – Per-day wage with OT and deductions
• Overtime Calculator – OT pay calculation
• Minimum Wage Lookup – State-wise minimum wages
• Muster Roll Generator – BOCW-compliant attendance records

Conclusion

Construction labour rates in India (2026) range from ₹450–₹650/day (unskilled) to ₹800–₹1,200+/day (skilled), varying by state. Use our Labour Cost Estimator for project budgeting. Track actual wages and attendance with Yojo contractor app to stay on budget and maintain compliance.