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What are the Indian jobs that still pay the least? Even though living costs are going up, wages have stayed low in some fields. This is because wages depend on where you live, your skills, and the employer.
Most of the time, these jobs have long hours, a lot of physical work, and little to no social protection. A lot of them work in the “gig economy,” which is part of the informal sector and doesn’t have strict rules about minimum pay.
In India in 2025, these are the 10 jobs that pay the least:
Lowest Paying Jobs in India 2025
While salaries in India vary depending on skill, region, and industry, certain jobs remain consistently at the bottom of the pay scale. These roles are often physically demanding, lack social security, and fall within the informal sector. The table below highlights the 10 lowest-paying jobs in India in 2025 along with their approximate income range.
Lowest Paying Jobs in India (2025)
| Job Title | Approximate Pay Scale (2025) |
| Construction Helpers & Unskilled Labourers | ₹12,000 to ₹18,000 per month |
| Domestic Workers (maids, cooks, cleaners) | ₹8,000 to ₹15,000 per month |
| Sanitation & Cleaning Staff | ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 per month |
| Agricultural Labourers | ₹220 to ₹250 per day |
| Textile & Garment Factory Workers | ₹12,000 to ₹18,000 per month |
| Gig Delivery Workers (food/e-commerce) | ₹13,000 to ₹20,000 per month |
| Shoe & Leather Workers | ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 per month |
| Furniture Finishers / Carpenters’ Helpers | ₹12,000 to ₹15,000 per month |
| Taxi Drivers & Auto Rickshaw Operators | ₹15,000 to ₹18,000 per month |
| Watchmen & Security Guards (unarmed) | ₹12,000 to ₹16,000 per month |
1. Helpers and unskilled workers in construction
Construction helps who aren’t skilled are still some of the worst paid workers in India. Even though the minimum pay was raised to about ₹18,000–20,000 per month in big cities, studies show that almost 87% of workers still make less than this. A lot of the time, they do dangerous and physically demanding work without protection or benefits.
2. Household Helpers
Cooks, maids, and cleaners who work for people earn between ₹8,000 and 15,000 a month, based on the city and the amount of work they have. A lot of them don’t have official contracts or social protections. Even though it’s against the law, most domestic workers are still paid less than people who do similar low-skilled jobs.
3. People who clean and do sanitation
Sanitation workers in cities and on private contracts usually make ₹15,000 to 20,000 a month, but they often take home less because they are exploited by their employers. Even though they work in dangerous situations, they still make some of the least money.
4. People who work in agriculture
Agricultural work is still one of the least satisfying jobs. They get paid as little as ₹220 to ₹250 a day in places like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, and they don’t get jobs or pay breaks when harvest season is over.
5. Workers in clothing and textile factories
Textile workers make just above minimum wage, about ₹12,000 to 18,000 a month, in places like spinning mills and clothing companies. This is one of the lowest-paying jobs because of the long hours, low hourly pay, and lack of buying power.
6. Delivery Agents
People who bring food and online shopping usually make between ₹13,000 and 20,000 a month, but they have to pay for their own gas and cars. The truth is that they often get paid less than the bare wage. They are weak because they depend on platforms and don’t offer any extras.
7. People who make leather goods and shoes
Low pay is still a problem for people who fix shoes, work as cobblers, or do small amounts of leather work. Most of them get ₹10,000 to 12,000 a month from daily wage workers, and they can’t really get any better.
8. People who help builders finish furniture
There are small businesses that hire furniture finishers and pay them about ₹12,000 to 15,000 a month. To polish, fix, and repair furniture, they need to be very skilled. Even though some businesses that use machines now pay a little more, most people are still not paid enough.
9. People who work as cab and auto rickshaw drivers
Uber and Lyft are making it harder for taxi and car drivers to make a living, and gas prices are going up. Payment varies from ₹15,000 to ₹18,000 a month, based on the number of hours worked and the level of demand in the area. A lot of people work long hours just to get by.
10. People who work in security and watch
Security guards who aren’t armed make between ₹12,000 and ₹16,000 a month, mostly in small businesses and apartment complexes. They still make some of the least money among service workers, even though they work shifts of 12 hours or more.
Conclusion
There are a lot of people who need these jobs, but in India, they don’t pay very much. Changes in pay are an effort by the government to make things better, but workers are still having a hard time because of loose rules, illegal work, and rising prices.
What do you think? Should India’s minimum wage rules be tighter to make sure that these workers get paid fairly?
