Curious to know how much blue-collar workers earn in India? A recent report shows that most blue-collar jobs in the country offer wages that barely cover basic needs like housing, healthcare, and education.
What is a blue collar job?
Manual jobs typically involve manual labor, factory work, or any type of work that is not done in an office setting. These jobs can range from construction and manufacturing to maintenance and mining. Traditionally, manual workers were seen as having less education and fewer skills, but that image is changing. Today, many manual jobs require specialized training and technical skills.
Workers’ income
According to a report by WorkIndia, a tech-based blue-collar hiring platform, over 57.63% of blue-collar jobs in India pay Rs 20,000 or less per month. This figure suggests that a large number of workers earn close to the minimum wage, leaving them with little to no financial cushion.
Here is the salary breakdown for manual workers:
Below Rs 20,000 per month: This group covers 57.63% of manual jobs.
20,000-40,000 rupees per month:Around 29.34% of manual jobs fall into this category. Workers in this range may experience a slight improvement in financial security, but it is still far from enough to live comfortably. While necessities may be covered, there is often little left for savings or investments.
40,000-60,000 rupees per monthOnly 10.71% of manual jobs offer salaries in this range. These jobs often require specialized skills or significant experience. Although they offer better wages, these positions are limited, making it difficult for many workers to achieve upward mobility.
More than Rs 60,000 per monthA mere 2.31% of manual jobs pay more than Rs 60,000 per month. These positions are often highly specialized or involve significant responsibilities, making them accessible only to a select few.
High-paying manual jobs
Despite the generally low wages in the blue-collar sector, some jobs offer better pay. According to the report, several jobs where workers can earn more than Rs 40,000 per month are:
Field SalesTopping the list, 33.84% of field sales positions offer salaries above Rs 40,000 per month.
Back office jobsFollowing closely behind, 33.10% of back office jobs also pay more than Rs 40,000, which includes administrative tasks that keep businesses running smoothly.
Tele-calling positions: In the call center sector, 26.57% of jobs offer salaries above Rs 40,000. This position, although generally considered entry-level, can provide higher earnings, especially in sectors such as insurance and finance.
Accounting functions: Accounting jobs also fare well, with 24.71% of positions offering salaries above Rs 40,000, driven by the need for accurate financial management.
Business Development: Business development roles, which are important for company growth, account for 21.73% of positions in the highest salary range.
Qualified cooks and receptionists: Skilled cooks and receptionists have a share of income above Rs 40,000, and 21.22% and 17.60% of these positions respectively fall into this category.
Delivery jobs: At the lower end, only 16.23% of delivery jobs offer salaries above Rs 40,000.
Moving abroad for a better salary
Given the low wages paid in India, many skilled blue-collar workers are seeking better opportunities abroad. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains the largest destination hub, with around 3.4 million Indian migrant workers. Other popular destinations include Saudi Arabia (2.6 million), Kuwait (1 million), Qatar (750,000) and Oman (700,000), according to a report by Huntr, a marketplace for blue-collar workers.
A significant portion of these migrant workers, particularly those between 18 and 30 years old, are willing to accept labor-intensive jobs such as construction, factory work and domestic service in search of better wages and living conditions, even if it means moving away from home.
First published: August 19, 2024 | 17:57 IS
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