A person working in Papua New Guinea typically earns around 4,100 PGK per month. Salaries range from 1,040 PGK (lowest average) to 18,300 PGK (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.
![]() 1,040 PGK |
![]() 3,680 PGK |
![]() 18,300 PGK |
Salaries in Papua New Guinea range from 1,040 PGK per month (starting salary) to 18,300 PGK per month (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 3,680 PGK per month, which means that half (50%) of the population are earning less than 3,680 PGK while the other half are earning more than 3,680 PGK. 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 are earning less than 2,660 PGK while 75% of them are earning more than 2,660 PGK. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population are earning less than 5,580 PGK while 25% are earning more than 5,580 PGK.
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 on how salaries are actually distributed. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 2,450 PGK to 6,290 PGK. Approximatly 20% fall under the 2,450 PGK cap. Ten percent of wages are from 6,290 PGK to 8,030 PGK. Only 5% of people grossed 8,030 PGK or more.
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher the wage.
Generally speaking, employees having experience from two to five years earn on average 32% more than freshers and juniors across all industries and disciplines.
Professionals with experience of more than five years tend to earn on average 36% more than those with five years or less of work experience.
As you hit the ten years mark, the salary increases by 21% and an additional 14% for those who have crossed the 15 years mark.
Those figures are presented as guidelines only. The numbers become more significant if you consider one job title at a time.
It is well known that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We compared the salaries of professionals at the same level but with different college degrees levels across many jobs, below are our findings.
Workers with a certificate or diploma earn on average 17% more than their peers who only reached the high school level.
Employees who earned a Bachelor's Degree earn 24% more than those who only managed to attain a cerificate or diploma.
Professionals who attained a Master's Degree are awarded salaries that are 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.
Finally, PhD holders earn 23% more than Master's Degree holders on average while doing the same job.
A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in Papua New Guinea costs anywhere from 20,500 Kina(s) to 61,600 Kina(s) and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.
You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.
Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch into a higher paying job. The numbers seem to support this tactic. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.
The decision really depends on your situation and experience among many other factors. Putting all variables aside, if you can afford the costs of higher education then the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male employees in Papua New Guinea earn 11% more than their female counterparts on avergae across all sectors.
Male | 4,270 PGK | |
Female | -10% | 3,850 PGK |
Employees in Papua New Guinea 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 rarely 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
Banking | 6% | |
Energy | 3% | |
Information Technology | 9% | |
Healthcare | 6% | |
Travel | 3% | |
Construction | 9% | |
Education | 6% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in Papua New Guinea for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
Junoir Level | 3% - 5% | |
Mid-Career | 6% - 9% | |
Senior Level | 10% - 15% | |
Top Management | 15% - 20% |
The difference in increment rates is somehow justified because employers put more effort to retain more experienced staff since they are harder to acquire than less experienced ones.
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.
64% of surveyed staff in Papua New Guinea reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 36% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 6% of their annual salary.
Received Bonus | 36% | |
No Bonus | 64% |
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.
Average Salary 2019 | 3,640 PGK | |
Average Salary 2020 | +4% | 3,780 PGK |
Average Salary 2021 | +3% | 3,880 PGK |
Average Salary 2022 | +2% | 3,960 PGK |
Salaries in Papua New Guinea are on the rise in the year 2023 based on recent submitted salaries and reports. As displayed in the chart, salaries in 2022 are 2% higher than those of 2021. The trend suggests a slow yet continuous increase in pay in 2024 and future years. These numbers may vary from industry to another.
Job Title | Average Salary |
Accounting and Finance | |
Accountant | 2,800 PGK |
Accounting Assistant | 2,120 PGK |
Accounting Manager | 6,110 PGK |
Bookkeeper | 1,810 PGK |
Chartered Accountant | 3,540 PGK |
Corporate Treasurer | 5,520 PGK |
Financial Analyst | 5,270 PGK |
Financial Manager | 8,130 PGK |
Internal Auditor | 3,920 PGK |
Administration / Reception / Secretarial | |
Administrative Assistant | 2,170 PGK |
Office Manager | 3,540 PGK |
Receptionist | 1,520 PGK |
Secretary | 1,780 PGK |
Advertising / Grapic Design / Events | |
Art Director | 3,980 PGK |
Creative Director | 3,890 PGK |
Graphic Designer | 2,580 PGK |
Photographer | 2,130 PGK |
Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense | |
Aerospace Engineer | 4,930 PGK |
Air Traffic Controller | 4,530 PGK |
Flight Attendant | 2,620 PGK |
Pilot | 6,830 PGK |
Architecture | |
Architect | 4,790 PGK |
CAD Drafter | 1,980 PGK |
Automotive | |
Mechanic | 1,440 PGK |
Service Advisor | 2,750 PGK |
Banking | |
Bank Branch Manager | 7,530 PGK |
Teller | 1,530 PGK |
Bilingual | |
Teacher | 3,090 PGK |
Translator | 3,540 PGK |
Business Planning | |
Business Analyst | 4,770 PGK |
Business Development Manager | 6,190 PGK |
Project Manager | 4,580 PGK |
Care Giving and Child Care | |
Nanny | 1,600 PGK |
Nursery Teacher | 1,480 PGK |
Construction / Building / Installation | |
Civil Engineer | 3,510 PGK |
Construction Project Manager | 6,610 PGK |
Health and Safety Officer | 1,750 PGK |
Customer Service and Call Center | |
Call Center Representative | 1,450 PGK |
Customer Service Manager | 5,280 PGK |
Customer Service Representative | 1,570 PGK |
Engineering | |
Electrical Engineer | 3,750 PGK |
Engineer | 3,740 PGK |
Mechanical Engineer | 3,850 PGK |
Executive and Management | |
Chief Executive Officer | 8,660 PGK |
Chief Financial Officer | 7,930 PGK |
General Manager | 6,850 PGK |
Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering | |
Chef | 2,420 PGK |
Executive Chef | 2,900 PGK |
Hotel Manager | 7,130 PGK |
Travel Agent | 2,620 PGK |
Waiter / Waitress | 1,270 PGK |
Health and Medical | |
Dentist | 9,330 PGK |
Dietitian | 7,600 PGK |
Laboratory Technician | 3,050 PGK |
Nurse | 3,030 PGK |
Human Resources | |
Human Resources Manager | 6,110 PGK |
Human Resources Officer | 2,380 PGK |
Information Technology | |
Computer Technician | 2,990 PGK |
Database Administrator | 4,080 PGK |
Developer / Programmer | 3,880 PGK |
Information Technology Manager | 6,560 PGK |
Network Engineer | 3,480 PGK |
Law Enforcement / Security / Fire | |
Police Officer | 2,450 PGK |
Legal | |
Attorney | 8,070 PGK |
Legal Assistant | 2,100 PGK |
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment | |
Journalist | 4,420 PGK |
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology | |
Biomedical Engineer | 3,490 PGK |
Pharmacist | 4,970 PGK |
Sales Retail and Wholesale | |
Cashier | 1,560 PGK |
Sales Manager | 6,780 PGK |
Sales Representative | 2,470 PGK |
Teaching / Education | |
Elementary School Teacher | 2,660 PGK |
Secondary School Teacher | 3,170 PGK |
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 fix 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.
This minimum pay rate per hour for a person in Papua New Guinea is 6 PGK. 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 for a private company or for the government? Public sector employees in Papua New Guinea earn 14% more than their private sector counterparts on average across all sectors.
Private Sector | 3,780 PGK | |
Public Sector | +14% | 4,310 PGK |
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 Papua New Guinea would range anywhere between 3,680 PGK and 5,580 PGK.
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 salart after tax for every career.
The base salary in Papua New Guinea is ranges from 2,660 PGK to 5,580 PGK. 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 in a grain of salt.
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning 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