New Minimum Wage Rates Announced in Punjab Under Code on Wages, 2019
The Punjab government has issued a new notification revising minimum wages across the state. Acting under the provisions of the Code on Wages, 2019, the Governor approved the changes after reviewing recommendations from the state’s advisory board on minimum wages.
According to the order, updated minimum wage rates will apply to all types of employment in Punjab. The revised rates will come into effect from May 1, 2026.
Revised Rates of Wages
| Sr. No. | Category of Workers | Per Month (Rs.) | Per Day (Rs.) | Per Hour (Rs.) |
| 1 | Unskilled | 13,486 | 518.69 | 64.83 |
| 2 | Semi-Skilled | 14,383 | 553.19 | 69.14 |
| 3 | Skilled | 15,414 | 592.84 | 74.1 |
| 4 | Highly-Skilled | 16,601 | 638.5 | 79.81 |
| Sr. No. | Staff-wise Categories | Per Month (Rs.) | Per Day (Rs.) | Per Hour (Rs.) |
| 1 | Staff Category-A | 19,431 | 747.34 | 93.41 |
| 2 | Staff Category-B | 17,510 | 673.46 | 84.18 |
| 3 | Staff Category-C | 15,786 | 607.15 | 75.89 |
| 4 | Staff Category-D | 14,406 | 554.07 | 69.25 |
Classification of staff categories
Staff Category A (Highly Qualified / Professional Level)
Employees with advanced or professional qualifications, such as:
- Postgraduate degree (Master’s)
- MBA (Marketing, Finance, HR, etc.)
- Company Secretary (CS)
- Any equivalent or other professional degree
Staff Category B (Graduate / Supervisory Level)
Employees who are
- Graduates in any field, or
- Undergraduates with diplomas/certificates (e.g., Stenography, Computer Applications, Accountancy)
- Also includes supervisory staff who make independent decisions
Staff Category C (Skilled / Clerical Level)
Employees who are
- Above matriculation but not a graduate, or
- Undergraduates with certificates (Steno typist, Computer Applications, Data Entry, Accountancy), including roles like:
- Timekeeper
- Salesman
- Assistant
- Storekeeper
Staff Category D (Basic / Support Level)
Includes Class-IV employees:
- Casual workers
- Contract workers
- Workers hired through contractors
Minimum rates of wages of attached labour in Agriculture
1. Unskilled Agricultural Workers
From May 1, 2026, unskilled agricultural workers who are attached labourers will get a minimum yearly wage of Rs 90,973.28, which includes the value of meals or food provided.
2. Other Agricultural Labour
From May 1, 2026, agricultural workers are paid different daily wages depending on whether food is provided or not. If they receive meals, they earn Rs 486.588 per day. If they do not get meals, they are paid Rs 540.983 per day instead.
For more information, refer to the following notification:
