Labour Charges Per Day in India (2026): Rates for Workers, Plumbers, Electricians and More
By the DoForMoney team
Updated: 4 min read
See estimated labour charges per day and per hour in 5 Indian cities, how to work out a fair price for a short job and what to agree before work starts.
Need a worker for a few hours or a full day, but not sure what's fair to pay? Labour charges in India depend on the type of work, your city and the size of the job.
This guide gives estimated daily and hourly rates, shows how to price a short job and explains what to agree before work starts.
Labour charges per day in India
These are estimated rates for an 8-hour day in five cities.
Work | Surat | Ahmedabad | Mumbai | Delhi | Bengaluru |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General labour | ₹500–700 | ₹500–700 | ₹534–737 | ₹534–737 | ₹534–737 |
Plumber or electrician | ₹700–936 | ₹700–950 | ₹750–1,005 | ₹737–992 | ₹737–992 |
Painter | ₹588–836 | ₹600–850 | ₹638–910 | ₹625–895 | ₹625–895 |
Carpenter | ₹744–1,036 | ₹756–1,050 | ₹806–1,121 | ₹780–1,093 | ₹793–1,107 |
Estimates based on InfraLens labour price data for Surat, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, updated 24 October 2026. Actual charges vary, so check locally before you agree a price.
Labour rate per hour
Dividing the daily rates above by 8 hours gives this rough guide across the five cities:
Work | Approx. rate per hour |
|---|---|
General labour | ₹63–92 |
Plumber or electrician | ₹88–126 |
Painter | ₹74–114 |
Carpenter | ₹93–140 |
Expect to pay more per hour for a very short job. A worker still has to travel to you and may miss other work that day, so many ask for a minimum charge.
How to work out a fair price for a short job
Say you need 2 workers for 4 hours, and the daily rate is ₹600 each:
Find the hourly rate: ₹600 ÷ 8 hours = ₹75 an hour.
Find the cost per worker: ₹75 × 4 hours = ₹300.
Find the total: ₹300 × 2 workers = ₹600.
Treat this as a starting point. Then add travel, tools and any minimum charge, and agree the final amount with the worker.
What changes the price
Skill: electrical or plumbing work usually costs more than general labour.
City: rates and travel costs differ from place to place.
Heavy or difficult work: lifting, stairs and tight spaces can raise the price.
Materials and tools: ask whether they're included or charged separately.
Timing: urgent jobs, Sundays and festival days may cost more.
Job size: a small job can cost more per hour, while a bigger job may be cheaper per hour.
Per day, per hour or per job?
A daily rate isn't the only way to pay. Choose the option that suits the work:
Per job works well when the work is clear, like fixing a tap or installing a fan.
Per hour suits work where the time is known, like loading items or help at an event.
Per day suits larger work that takes most of the day.
Per point or per sq ft is common for bigger work. Electricians may quote per point for wiring, and painters per sq ft.
Do minimum wages apply?
Each state sets its own minimum wages, and they change during the year. For example, HR compliance sources put Gujarat's Zone I unskilled rate at about ₹524.50 a day from 1 October 2026.
Use your state's rate as a fairness check, and confirm the current figure with its labour department. If you hire workers regularly, ask a professional what rules apply to you.
What to agree before work starts
What exactly needs to be done
The start time and how long it should take
Who provides tools and materials
The total price, and what happens if the job takes longer
How and when you'll pay
Pay once the work is done, not in advance to someone you haven't met. Read our safety tips for more.
Find local workers on DoForMoney
You can post a task for free with a fixed budget, an hourly budget or no budget, so workers near you can make offers. Then compare profiles and reviews, and chat before you choose.
You can also browse examples like plumbing tasks in Surat and electrician tasks in New Delhi.
DoForMoney only connects people. We don't employ workers, guarantee work, handle payments or run ID checks, and you pay the worker directly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the labour rate per day in India?
For general labour, the estimates above range from about ₹500 to ₹737 for an 8-hour day across the five cities. Rates in your area may differ.
What are electrician charges per day?
Estimates range from about ₹700 to ₹1,005 for an 8-hour day across these cities. Small jobs are often priced per job instead.
What are plumber charges per hour?
Dividing the daily estimates by 8 gives about ₹88–126 an hour. A short visit may cost more per hour because of travel and minimum charges.
What are painter and carpenter charges per day?
Estimates are about ₹588–910 for painters and ₹744–1,121 for carpenters. Paint, wood and other materials are usually a separate cost, so ask first.
Should I pay labour in advance?
It's safer to pay after the work is done, especially with someone you haven't met. If materials are needed first, agree on this clearly and keep a record.
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