A person working in Zambia typically earns around 6,020 ZMK. Salaries range from 1,520 ZMK (lowest average) to 26,800 ZMK (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in Zambia vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.
Minimum Salary 1,520 ZMK |
Median 5,510 ZMK |
Maximum 26,800 ZMK |
Salaries in Zambia range from 1,520 ZMK (starting salary) to 26,800 ZMK (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.
The median salary is 5,510 ZMK, which means that 50% of the population in Zambia 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.
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 Zambia earn less than 3,980 ZMK while 75% of them earn more. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population earn less than 8,340 ZMK while 25% earn more than that.
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 Zambia. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 3,650 ZMK to 9,370 ZMK. Approximately 20% fall under the 3,650 ZMK cap. Ten percent of wages are from 9,370 ZMK to 12,000 ZMK. Only 5% of people grossed 12,000 ZMK or more.
Salary is primarily determined by the level of experience one possesses, with higher levels of experience resulting in higher wages.
In Zambia, 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.
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 Zambia 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.
Earning a Master's degree or any post-graduate qualification in Zambia is a substantial financial commitment, with tuition fees ranging from 30,100 ZMK to 90,300 ZMK 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.
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In Zambia, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 12% across all career fields.
Male | 6,410 ZMK | |
Female | -11% | 5,710 ZMK |
Employees in Zambia are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 5% every 28 months.
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.
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
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.
62% of surveyed staff in Zambia reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 38% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 2% to 7% of their annual salary.
Received Bonus | 38% | |
No Bonus | 62% |
The most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, 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 BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
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.
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 |
The main two types of jobs | |
Revenue Generators | Supporting 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: | Example: |
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.
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.
Job Title | Average Salary |
Accounting and Finance | |
Accountant | 4,000 ZMK |
Accounting Assistant | 3,270 ZMK |
Accounting Manager | 8,930 ZMK |
Bookkeeper | 2,810 ZMK |
Chartered Accountant | 5,170 ZMK |
Corporate Treasurer | 7,840 ZMK |
Financial Analyst | 7,620 ZMK |
Financial Manager | 12,400 ZMK |
Internal Auditor | 5,800 ZMK |
Administration / Reception / Secretarial | |
Administrative Assistant | 3,140 ZMK |
Office Manager | 5,440 ZMK |
Receptionist | 2,790 ZMK |
Secretary | 2,730 ZMK |
Advertising / Graphic Design / Events | |
Art Director | 6,020 ZMK |
Creative Director | 5,990 ZMK |
Graphic Designer | 3,850 ZMK |
Photographer | 3,340 ZMK |
Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense | |
Aerospace Engineer | 7,300 ZMK |
Air Traffic Controller | 6,540 ZMK |
Flight Attendant | 4,140 ZMK |
Pilot | 10,500 ZMK |
Architecture | |
Architect | 6,930 ZMK |
CAD Drafter | 3,150 ZMK |
Automotive | |
Mechanic | 2,310 ZMK |
Service Advisor | 4,190 ZMK |
Banking | |
Bank Branch Manager | 11,100 ZMK |
Teller | 2,350 ZMK |
Bilingual | |
Teacher | 4,650 ZMK |
Translator | 5,170 ZMK |
Business Planning | |
Business Analyst | 7,110 ZMK |
Business Development Manager | 9,530 ZMK |
Project Manager | 7,880 ZMK |
Care Giving and Child Care | |
Nanny | 2,390 ZMK |
Nursery Teacher | 2,330 ZMK |
Construction / Building / Installation | |
Civil Engineer | 5,380 ZMK |
Construction Project Manager | 9,780 ZMK |
Health and Safety Officer | 2,780 ZMK |
Customer Service and Call Center | |
Call Center Representative | 2,150 ZMK |
Customer Service Manager | 8,360 ZMK |
Customer Service Representative | 2,190 ZMK |
Engineering | |
Civil Engineer | 5,500 ZMK |
Electrical Engineer | 6,010 ZMK |
Engineer | 5,690 ZMK |
Mechanical Engineer | 5,910 ZMK |
Executive and Management | |
Chief Executive Officer | 13,900 ZMK |
Chief Financial Officer | 12,400 ZMK |
General Manager | 10,800 ZMK |
Project Manager | 7,030 ZMK |
Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering | |
Chef | 3,850 ZMK |
Executive Chef | 4,380 ZMK |
Hotel Manager | 10,400 ZMK |
Receptionist | 2,290 ZMK |
Travel Agent | 3,860 ZMK |
Waiter / Waitress | 1,820 ZMK |
Health and Medical | |
Dentist | 13,700 ZMK |
Dietitian | 11,800 ZMK |
Laboratory Technician | 4,690 ZMK |
Nurse | 4,590 ZMK |
Human Resources | |
Human Resources Manager | 8,930 ZMK |
Human Resources Officer | 3,460 ZMK |
Information Technology | |
Computer Technician | 4,610 ZMK |
Database Administrator | 5,900 ZMK |
Developer / Programmer | 6,060 ZMK |
Information Technology Manager | 9,760 ZMK |
Network Engineer | 5,380 ZMK |
Law Enforcement / Security / Fire | |
Police Officer | 3,670 ZMK |
Legal | |
Attorney | 11,700 ZMK |
Legal Assistant | 3,270 ZMK |
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment | |
Journalist | 6,800 ZMK |
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology | |
Biomedical Engineer | 5,070 ZMK |
Pharmacist | 7,310 ZMK |
Sales Retail and Wholesale | |
Cashier | 2,360 ZMK |
Sales Manager | 9,920 ZMK |
Sales Representative | 3,900 ZMK |
Teaching / Education | |
Elementary School Teacher | 3,940 ZMK |
Secondary School Teacher | 4,660 ZMK |
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.
The minimum pay rate per hour for a person in Zambia is 9 ZMK. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
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 Zambia is 17% on average across all career fields.
Private Sector | 5,600 ZMK | |
Public Sector | +17% | 6,560 ZMK |
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 Zambia would range anywhere between 5,510 ZMK and 8,340 ZMK.
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.
The base salary in Zambia ranges from 1,520 ZMK to 3,980 ZMK. 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.
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