Mumbai, March 26 The average minimum salaries for blue-collar jobs increased by 8.60 per cent year-on-year, outpacing several entry-level white-collar jobs and signaling a structural shift in India's labor market, a report said on Thursday.
Blue-collar jobs recorded an average minimum salary growth of 8.60 per cent year-on-year (₹15,265 in 2025 from ₹14,056 in 2024), while several entry-level white-collar jobs grew at a comparatively slower 6.75 per cent (₹15,756 in 2025 from ₹14,760 in 2024) over the same period, according to a report by the blue and grey-collar recruitment platform, WorkIndia.
The report revealed that operational roles such as delivery, driver, and automotive jobs recorded salary increases of up to 16 per cent, while manufacturing roles grew by around 11 per cent, reflecting strong demand for skilled operational talent.
In contrast, several administrative and support roles, typically considered white-collar, have seen far slower salary increases despite a high supply of candidates.
However, the report noted that gender-based pay disparities remain deeply entrenched in the labor market, even as blue-collar wages rise.
Male candidates saw the highest average minimum salary, increasing by 8.24 per cent to ₹16,456 in 2025 from ₹15,203 in 2024, while women's salaries grew by 5.67 per cent to ₹13,863 from ₹13,119, indicating that women continue to earn significantly less across most job categories, it added.
The WorkIndia report is based on an analysis of data from approximately 18 lakh employers on its platform in 2024 and 2025.
It further revealed that the IT sector continues to offer the highest baseline salaries, increasing to ₹21,858 (15 per cent) in 2025 from ₹19,041 in the previous year, while operational industries are witnessing the fastest wage acceleration.
Delivery and driver roles saw a 16 per cent rise, and automotive and manufacturing roles grew by 13 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively, reflecting growing demand for skilled blue-collar labor in logistics and mobility, the report added.
The report stated that geography further amplifies the divide, with major cities continuing to offer stronger salary advantages, with top cities recorded an average minimum salary of ₹17,618 in 2025, while smaller cities remain significantly behind.
"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 witnessing faster wage growth because of 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 labor market will depend on how quickly we bridge these gaps while creating more skill-driven opportunities," WorkIndia co-founder and CEO Nilesh Dungarwal added.