Mar 27, 2026: Average minimum salaries for blue-collar roles in India have grown significantly faster than several entry-level white-collar jobs, signalling a structural shift in the country’s labour market, according to a new report by WorkIndia.

The report highlights that blue-collar roles recorded an average minimum salary growth of 8.60% year-on-year, rising from ₹14,056 in 2024 to ₹15,265 in 2025. In comparison, entry-level white-collar roles saw a relatively slower growth of 6.75%, increasing from ₹14,760 to ₹15,756 during the same period.

Operational roles such as delivery executives, drivers, and automobile jobs witnessed the highest salary growth of up to 16%, while manufacturing roles saw an increase of around 11%, reflecting strong demand for skilled labour across logistics and mobility sectors.

In contrast, administrative and support roles in the white-collar segment experienced slower salary corrections, largely due to a higher supply of candidates.

Despite rising wages, the report underscores the persistence of gender-based pay disparities. Male candidates recorded an average salary increase of 8.24%, reaching ₹16,456 in 2025, while women saw a comparatively lower growth of 5.67%, with average salaries at ₹13,863—highlighting a continued gap across job categories.

The study, based on data from approximately 18 lakh employers on the platform across 2024 and 2025, also reveals that the IT sector continues to offer the highest baseline salaries, growing to ₹21,858 in 2025 from ₹19,041 in 2024.

Geographically, metro cities continue to dominate salary benchmarks, with average minimum salaries reaching ₹17,618 in 2025, while smaller cities lag behind, reflecting regional disparities in job opportunities and compensation.

Commenting on the findings, Nilesh Dungarwal, Co-founder and CEO, WorkIndia, said,

“India’s job market is undergoing a silent reset. For years, white-collar jobs were seen as the default path to higher salaries, but today several blue-collar roles are seeing faster wage growth due to real demand and skill shortages. At the same time, the data clearly shows that gender gaps and skill disparities still hold back salary parity. The next phase of India’s labour market will depend on how quickly we bridge these gaps while creating more skill-driven opportunities.”

The report indicates that as India’s employment ecosystem evolves, salary growth is becoming more widespread across sectors. However, structural factors such as skills, education, experience, and gender participation will continue to influence compensation trends in the coming years.