Blue-Collar Wages on the Rise in India

According to Deloitte's latest report, blue-collar wages in India are experiencing an annual growth rate of 5–6%. This surge is attributed to the high demand for skilled labor across core industries and the increasing implementation of performance-based incentives.

Sector-Specific Wage Growth Insights

The report, titled 'Blue-Collar Workforce Trends 2025', forecasts a 10% increase in hiring for blue-collar roles in 2025, with manufacturing, automotive, e-commerce, and logistics sectors showing robust demand. Notably, the e-commerce sector is expected to lead with a 7% wage increase, driven by expansions in last-mile delivery and logistics infrastructure.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

Despite the positive trends, challenges such as wage disparity and the need for reskilling remain. Only 2.3% of blue-collar jobs offer salaries above ₹60,000 monthly, and female workers earn 70% of what their male counterparts do. The report calls for inclusive skilling and better work environments to address these issues.