Status
Mandatory for All Employers
Effective Period
In force from 1 April 2025
Notification
Consolidated, w.e.f. 1 Apr 2025
Issued by the Department of Labour & Employment, Government of Himachal Pradesh. Applies to every employer registered under General Scheduled Employment in Himachal Pradesh. Non-compliance attracts penalty under the Code on Wages, 2019.
Minimum Wages in Himachal Pradesh
2026 — Skill-Wise Rates
Official minimum wage rates for Himachal Pradesh - statewide (no zones), published as consolidated daily / monthly figures. The 1 April 2025 notification is the latest in force. A +25% uplift applies in Scheduled Tribal Areas.
Quick Answer
Himachal Pradesh’s minimum wages range from ₹12,750/month (Unskilled) to ₹15,390/month (Highly-skilled), as consolidated statewide rates (without food/lodging benefits). A +25% uplift applies in tribal areas.
₹12,750 - ₹15,390
per month · General Scheduled Employment
Tribal areas
+25%Next revision
By State notification (annual)Last updated: June 2026. Figures are compiled from the latest available notifications and reputable compliance sources and are provided for guidance only. Minimum wages and VDA change frequently - verify against the official notification (Himachal Pradesh Labour Department) before using for payroll.
Complete Rate Card - by Skill
Himachal Pradesh statewide minimum wage by skill (without benefits), daily and monthly, effective 1 April 2025.
| Skill Category | Per Day | Per Month |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹425 | ₹12,750 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹449 | ₹13,470 |
| Skilled | ₹493 | ₹14,790 |
| Highly-skilled | ₹513 | ₹15,390 |
Consolidated statewide rates (no separate Basic/VDA split) for work without food/lodging benefits; lower “with benefits” rates apply where the employer provides food/accommodation. A +25% uplift applies in Scheduled Tribal Areas. No fresh 2026 revision was issued - verify on the HP Labour Department site.
How Himachal Pradesh Structures Minimum Wages (No Zones)
HP applies uniform statewide rates:
Statewide skill-based rates
One rate per skill level across the state - no geographic zones.
Tribal-area uplift
Rates are 25% higher in Scheduled Tribal Areas of HP.
With / without benefits
Lower rates apply where the employer provides food, tea or common accommodation.
What Every Himachal Pradesh Employer Must Do
Pay at least the notified zone-wise rate
Use the rate matching each branch’s location - not the head-office zone. Paying below the notified minimum is illegal even if the employee agrees.
Apply the latest VDA / revised rate
Update payroll the moment a new notification or VDA revision is published. Arrears apply from the effective date, not the date you noticed.
Maintain wage & attendance registers
Keep statutory registers, wage slips and muster rolls. Inspectors can demand records for the past several years.
Layer statutory costs correctly
On top of minimum wage, account for PF (12% of basic), ESI (3.25% if wage ≤ ₹21,000), bonus and gratuity provision.
Penalty for Non-Compliance
Under the Code on Wages, 2019 (in force across India from 21 November 2025), paying any worker below the notified minimum wage attracts a fine up to ₹50,000 for a first offence, and imprisonment up to 3 months or a fine up to ₹1,00,000 (or both) for a repeat offence within five years. The employer must also pay the full wage arrears due. Failing to maintain the prescribed wage and attendance registers carries a further fine up to ₹10,000. The Himachal Pradesh Labour Department enforces this through Inspector-cum-Facilitator inspections across the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial belt and Shimla's hospitality and retail establishments, so Himachal Pradesh employers should keep payroll and statutory registers audit-ready year-round.
Source: Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019), Sec. 54 · Himachal Pradesh Labour Department
Download the Himachal Pradesh Minimum Wages 2026 Rate Card
Get the full PDF - all zones, every role band, VDA breakdown and an employer compliance checklist. Free, ready for your HR & payroll records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Himachal Pradesh in 2026?
Statewide rates range from Rs.12,750/month (Unskilled) to Rs.15,390/month (Highly-skilled), for work without food/lodging benefits. These 1 April 2025 figures remain in force.
Does Himachal Pradesh use zones for minimum wages?
No. HP applies uniform statewide skill-based rates. However, a 25% uplift applies in Scheduled Tribal Areas.
What are "with benefits" rates in HP?
Where the employer provides food, tea or common accommodation, a slightly lower minimum wage applies (the value of benefits is offset).
What is the daily minimum wage in Himachal Pradesh?
Unskilled is Rs.425/day, Semi-skilled Rs.449/day, Skilled Rs.493/day and Highly-skilled Rs.513/day (without benefits).
What is the penalty for paying below minimum wage?
Paying below the notified minimum is illegal even with consent. Under the Code on Wages, 2019 employers face fines up to Rs.50,000 (first offence) and up to Rs.1,00,000 with imprisonment for repeat offences, plus full wage arrears.
Does minimum wage include PF and ESI?
No. Minimum wage is the gross paid to the worker. PF (12% of basic), ESI (3.25% of gross if wage is up to Rs.21,000), bonus and gratuity are additional employer costs.
Explore Minimum Wages Across India
Minimum wages differ by state, zone, skill and industry. Compare Himachal Pradesh with other states, or see the full national overview.
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