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Average Salary in Malawi 2024

How much money does a person working in Malawi make?


Average Monthly Salary
165,000 MWK
( 1,980,000 MWK yearly)

LOW
41,600
MWK
AVERAGE
165,000
MWK
HIGH
734,000
MWK
All salary figures displayed here are per month except when noted otherwise.
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.

A person working in Malawi typically earns around 165,000 MWK. Salaries range from 41,600 MWK (lowest average) to 734,000 MWK (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).


Salary Variance

This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in Malawi vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.



Pay Scale and Salaries in Malawi

Median and salary distribution Malawi monthly
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Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison

5% of people earn
312,000 MWK or more
10% of people earn
244,000 to 312,000 MWK
20% of people earn
95,100 MWK or less
65% of people earn
95,100 to 244,000 MWK
Minimum Salary
41,600 MWK
Median
144,000 MWK
Maximum
734,000 MWK




Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range

All salary figures displayed here are per month except when noted otherwise.
  • Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary

    Salaries in Malawi range from 41,600 MWK (starting salary) to 734,000 MWK (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.

  • Median Salary

    The median salary is 144,000 MWK, which means that 50% of the population in Malawi earns less than that while the other half earns more. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.

  • Percentiles and Salary Scale

    Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population in Malawi earn less than 104,000 MWK while 75% of them earn more. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population earn less than 218,000 MWK while 25% earn more than that.

  • Pay Scale Structure

    We grouped the most common and recurring salaries into brackets to give more insight into what salary to expect. This method is more accurate than just the average salary and gives more insights into how salaries are actually distributed in Malawi. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 95,100 MWK to 244,000 MWK. Approximately 20% fall under the 95,100 MWK cap. Ten percent of wages are from 244,000 MWK to 312,000 MWK. Only 5% of people grossed 312,000 MWK or more.

Salary Comparison by Years of Experience

How does a person's salary progress over time?

Salary Comparison By Experience Level
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Salary is primarily determined by the level of experience one possesses, with higher levels of experience resulting in higher wages.

In Malawi, employees with two to five years of experience typically earn an average of 32% more than entry-level and junior workers in all industries and fields.

Individuals with more than five years of experience tend to earn an average of 36% more than those with less than five years of experience.

After ten years of work, salaries increase by 21%, with an additional 14% increase for those who have worked for over 15 years.

These figures should be used as rough estimates, as considering individual job titles can lead to more accurate assessments.


Change in salary based on experience varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of many different jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.
On average, a person's salary doubles their starting salary by the time they cross the 10 years* experience mark.
* Based on the average change in salary over time. Salary variations differ from person to person.

Salary Comparison By Education

How does the education level affect your salary?

Salary Comparison By Education
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Change in salary based on education varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of multiple jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.

The correlation between higher education and higher salary is widely acknowledged, but how much of an income increase can one expect from obtaining a degree?

We conducted a study in Malawi comparing the salaries of professionals with different levels of college degrees who held similar positions in various industries.

Our results showed that individuals with a certificate or diploma earned an average of 17% more than those who only completed high school.

Those who obtained a Bachelor's Degree earned 24% more than their counterparts with a certificate or diploma.

Professionals with a Master's Degree earned 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.

Finally, those who held a PhD earned an average of 23% more than those with a Master's Degree while performing the same job.


Is investing in a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Is pursuing higher education worth the investment?

Earning a Master's degree or any post-graduate qualification in Malawi is a substantial financial commitment, with tuition fees ranging from 825,000 MWK to 2,480,000 MWK and a duration of around two years. It's important to note that during this period, any salary increases are unlikely, assuming ongoing employment. Salary reviews are typically conducted after completing the program and obtaining the degree.

Many individuals pursue advanced education as a means of transitioning to higher-paying positions, and the statistics indicate that this is an effective strategy. On average, individuals who change jobs after earning a higher degree receive a salary increase of about 10% more than the typical annual raise.

Ultimately, deciding whether or not to pursue advanced education depends on a variety of factors, including the personal situation and experience. However, if one can afford the financial costs of obtaining a higher degree, the return on investment is likely to be worthwhile, with the ability to recoup the costs in approximately a year.



Salary and Compensation Comparison By Gender / Malawi

Salary comparison by gender Malawi monthly
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Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In Malawi, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 12% across all career fields.

Male
176,000 MWK
Female-10%
158,000 MWK
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value


Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Malawi

How much are annual salary increments in Malawi? How often do employees get salary raises?

Malawi

Employees in Malawi are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 4% every 29 months.

Annual Salary Increment Rate Malawi
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The figures provided here are averages of numbers. Those figures should be taken as general guidelines. Salary increments will vary from person to person and depend on many factors, but your performance and contribution to the success of the organization remain the most important factors in determining how much and how often you will be granted a raise.

The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.

How to calculate the salary increment percentage?

The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency

The average salary increase in one year (12 months) in Malawi is 2%.

Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs

World Average Annual Salary Increment
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Salary Packages and Schemes

Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.



Bonus and Incentive Rates in Malawi

How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?Annual Salary Bonus Rate Malawi
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67% of surveyed staff in Malawi reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 33% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.

Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 5% of their annual salary.

Received Bonus
33%
No Bonus
67%

Types of Bonuses Considered

Individual Performance-Based Bonuses

The most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.

Company Performance Bonuses

Occasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.

Goal-Based Bonuses

Granted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.

Holiday / End of Year Bonuses

These types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.

Bonuses Are Not Commissions!

People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.


Bonus Rates Comparison by Career Field

Finance
High
Architecture
High
Sales
High
Business Development
High
Marketing / Advertising
High
Information Technology
Moderate
Healthcare
Moderate
Insurance
Moderate
Customer Service
Moderate
Human Resources
Moderate
Construction
Low
Transport
Low
Hospitality
Low

What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?

The main two types of jobs

Revenue GeneratorsSupporting Cast

Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business.

Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations.

Example:
A graphics designer working for a graphics designing company.

Example:
A graphic designer in the marketing department of a hospital.


Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.

Try to work for companies where your skills can generate revenue. We can't all generate revenue and that's perfectly fine.

Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level

Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.

Salaries for popular jobs. Salaries by occupations.

Job TitleAverage Salary
Accounting and Finance
Accountant114,000 MWK
Accounting Assistant91,900 MWK
Accounting Manager245,000 MWK
Bookkeeper75,300 MWK
Chartered Accountant157,000 MWK
Corporate Treasurer223,000 MWK
Financial Analyst218,000 MWK
Financial Manager314,000 MWK
Internal Auditor160,000 MWK

Administration / Reception / Secretarial
Administrative Assistant89,900 MWK
Office Manager146,000 MWK
Receptionist60,400 MWK
Secretary76,500 MWK

Advertising / Graphic Design / Events
Art Director160,000 MWK
Creative Director160,000 MWK
Graphic Designer107,000 MWK
Photographer90,100 MWK

Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense
Aerospace Engineer223,000 MWK
Air Traffic Controller178,000 MWK
Flight Attendant118,000 MWK
Pilot279,000 MWK

Architecture
Architect209,000 MWK
CAD Drafter81,600 MWK

Automotive
Mechanic63,200 MWK
Service Advisor111,000 MWK

Banking
Bank Branch Manager289,000 MWK
Teller62,800 MWK

Bilingual
Teacher129,000 MWK
Translator157,000 MWK

Business Planning
Business Analyst218,000 MWK
Business Development Manager255,000 MWK
Project Manager188,000 MWK

Care Giving and Child Care
Nanny70,000 MWK
Nursery Teacher59,900 MWK

Construction / Building / Installation
Civil Engineer149,000 MWK
Construction Project Manager284,000 MWK
Health and Safety Officer75,800 MWK

Customer Service and Call Center
Call Center Representative62,400 MWK
Customer Service Manager216,000 MWK
Customer Service Representative61,800 MWK

Engineering
Electrical Engineer156,000 MWK
Engineer159,000 MWK
Mechanical Engineer150,000 MWK

Executive and Management
Chief Executive Officer379,000 MWK
Chief Financial Officer336,000 MWK
General Manager280,000 MWK

Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering
Chef99,600 MWK
Executive Chef122,000 MWK
Hotel Manager299,000 MWK
Travel Agent106,000 MWK
Waiter / Waitress54,800 MWK

Health and Medical
Dentist414,000 MWK
Dietitian316,000 MWK
Laboratory Technician119,000 MWK
Nurse135,000 MWK

Human Resources
Human Resources Manager257,000 MWK
Human Resources Officer105,000 MWK

Information Technology
Computer Technician123,000 MWK
Database Administrator169,000 MWK
Developer / Programmer156,000 MWK
Information Technology Manager284,000 MWK
Network Engineer144,000 MWK

Law Enforcement / Security / Fire
Police Officer96,600 MWK

Legal
Attorney334,000 MWK
Legal Assistant83,700 MWK

Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment
Journalist191,000 MWK

Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology
Biomedical Engineer146,000 MWK
Pharmacist222,000 MWK

Sales Retail and Wholesale
Cashier59,400 MWK
Sales Manager286,000 MWK
Sales Representative111,000 MWK

Teaching / Education
Elementary School Teacher114,000 MWK
Secondary School Teacher135,000 MWK

Average Hourly Wage in Malawi


950 MWK per hour

The average hourly wage (pay per hour) for all employees in Malawi is 950 MWK.This is the rate that the average individual gets paid for every worked hour.


Hourly Wage = Annual Salary / ( 52 x 5 x 8 )

About The Hourly Pay Rate

The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.

What is the minimum hourly rate of pay?

The minimum pay rate per hour for a person in Malawi is 240 MWK. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.

Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison

Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in Malawi is 14% on average across all career fields.

Private Sector
157,000 MWK
Public Sector+14%
178,000 MWK
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value

Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide

What is considered to be a good and competitive salary in Malawi?

It is extremely difficult to give an exact figure of a good salary when no specific job is selected, however; an estimate can be provided based purely on the cost of living. A good compensation in Malawi would range anywhere between 144,000 MWK and 218,000 MWK.

Gross Salary (before tax) and Net Salary (after tax)

All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.

Base / Basic Salary

The base salary in Malawi ranges from 41,600 MWK to 104,000 MWK. The base salary depends on many factors including profession, experience, and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.


What is the difference between the median and the average salary?

Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary


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