Key Facts: Botswana Wages
- Country
- Botswana (BWA)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- Botswana pula (BWP)
- Minimum Wage
- P9.06 /hr ($0.67 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- P7,500 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- P90,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- P36,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 48 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Botswana — Average Salary & Wages
Botswana pula (BWP) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Botswana is
P90,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than P36,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Botswana is P9.06/hr ($0.67 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is P7,500 ($555.14 USD). The median monthly income is P3,000 ($222.06 USD).
Estimates. High income inequality (Gini ~0.53) means averages overstate typical earnings.
Average monthly earnings in the formal sector. Mining and financial services sectors have significantly higher wages than retail and agriculture.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2014, the minimum wage has grown +86% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Botswana, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $1.78/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Botswana earns P1,570/mo. That is 21% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- P1,570 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 21% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $116.21/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +86% since 2014
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- P9.06
- Monthly
- P1,883Based on 208 hours/month (48 hrs/week)
- Annual
- P22,596Based on 12 monthly payments
National minimum wage of BWP 9.06/hour applies to most sectors including building, construction, wholesale/distributive trades, manufacturing, hotel and catering, and security guards. Different (lower) rates apply to retail trade, domestic service, and agricultural sectors. A proposal to more than double the monthly minimum to BWP 4,000 has been discussed.
Work Week
- Standard
- 48 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (9 hours/day for 5-day week, or 8 hours/day for 6-day week). Overtime maximum of 14 additional hours per week. Overtime rate is 1.5x normal rate. Work on public holidays or rest days compensated at 2x.
How Botswana Compares
| Metric | Botswana | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $0.67/hr | $0.91/hr | $6.06/hr (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $555.14/mo | $381.53/mo | $1,625/mo (Mauritania) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Kenya | $0.61 |
| Mozambique | $0.60 |
| Tunisia | $0.74 |
| Pakistan | $0.57 |
| Egypt | $0.57 |
| Botswana | $0.67 |
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Burundi Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Botswana on our sister site.
Cost of living in Botswana on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Botswana?
The minimum wage in Botswana is P9.06/hr (approximately $0.67 USD), effective since 2025-01-01. National minimum wage of BWP 9.06/hour applies to most sectors including building, construction, wholesale/distributive trades, manufacturing, hotel and catering, and security guards. Different (lower) rates apply to retail trade, domestic service, and agricultural sectors. A proposal to more than double the monthly minimum to BWP 4,000 has been discussed.
What is the average salary in Botswana?
The average gross monthly salary in Botswana is P7,500 (approximately $555.14 USD). Average monthly earnings in the formal sector. Mining and financial services sectors have significantly higher wages than retail and agriculture. Source: Statistics Botswana / Bank of Botswana (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Botswana?
The standard work week in Botswana is 48 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 48 hours (9 hours/day for 5-day week, or 8 hours/day for 6-day week). Overtime maximum of 14 additional hours per week. Overtime rate is 1.5x normal rate. Work on public holidays or rest days compensated at 2x.
How has the minimum wage in Botswana changed over time?
The minimum wage in Botswana has changed as follows: P4.86 in 2014, P5.90 in 2019, P6.51 in 2022, P7.34 in 2024, P9.06 in 2025. This represents 5 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Botswana in USD?
The minimum wage in Botswana converts to approximately $0.67/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Botswana in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Botswana is approximately $555.14 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Botswana's minimum wage compare to the Africa average?
Botswana's minimum wage ranks #14 out of 33 countries with statutory minimum wages in Africa, placing it near the median for Africa.
From Insights
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