Key Facts: Zambia Wages
- Country
- Zambia (ZMB)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- Zambian kwacha (ZMW)
- Minimum Wage
- ZK6.25 /hr ($0.33 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- ZK7,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- ZK84,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- ZK28,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 48 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security / Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Zambia — Average Salary & Wages
Zambian kwacha (ZMW) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Zambia is
ZK84,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than ZK28,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Zambia is ZK6.25/hr ($0.33 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is ZK7,000 ($369.20 USD). The median monthly income is ZK2,333.33 ($123.07 USD).
Estimates. Zambia is classified as a low-income country by the World Bank. The large informal sector means many workers earn below the statutory minimum.
Estimated average monthly earnings in the formal sector. Mining and energy, IT, and financial services offer higher wages. Major cities (Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe) tend to have wages above the national average.
• SECTOR RATES
Domestic Workers
ZK1,300 /mo
Inclusive of housing, transport, and lunch allowances. 48-hour workweek.
Shop Workers
ZK2,313 /mo
Varies by job grade (assistant clerks, dispatch clerks, check-out operators, salespersons, etc.)
General Workers
ZK2,313 /mo
Base rate for general workers category; varies by skill/grade
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2018, the minimum wage has grown +31% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Zambia, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $0.85/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 Zambia earns ZK1,300/mo. That is 19% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- ZK1,300 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 19% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $68.57/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +31% since 2018
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- ZK6.25
- Monthly
- ZK1,300
- Annual
- ZK15,600Based on 12 monthly payments
Zambia sets minimum wages through Statutory Instruments under the Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act (Chapter 276). Rates vary by worker category: domestic workers, shop workers, and general workers each have separate schedules. Rates were revised in January 2024, replacing the 2018 schedules. All wages must be paid in Zambian Kwacha per the Employment Code Act. Bus drivers' minimum increased to ZMW 3,000 and truck drivers to ZMW 4,000 in January 2025.
Work Week
- Standard
- 48 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate on regular days, 2x on Sundays and public holidays. Governed by the Employment Code Act, 2019.
How Zambia Compares
| Metric | Zambia | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $0.33/hr | $0.91/hr | $6.06/hr (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $369.20/mo | $381.53/mo | $1,625/mo (Mauritania) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | $0.31 |
| Mali | $0.35 |
| Tanzania | $0.38 |
| Ethiopia | $0.27 |
| Madagascar | $0.27 |
| Zambia | $0.33 |
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Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Zambia on our sister site.
Cost of living in Zambia on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Zambia?
The minimum wage in Zambia is ZK6.25/hr (approximately $0.33 USD), effective since 2024-01-01. Zambia sets minimum wages through Statutory Instruments under the Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act (Chapter 276). Rates vary by worker category: domestic workers, shop workers, and general workers each have separate schedules. Rates were revised in January 2024, replacing the 2018 schedules. All wages must be paid in Zambian Kwacha per the Employment Code Act. Bus drivers' minimum increased to ZMW 3,000 and truck drivers to ZMW 4,000 in January 2025.
What is the average salary in Zambia?
The average gross monthly salary in Zambia is ZK7,000 (approximately $369.20 USD). Estimated average monthly earnings in the formal sector. Mining and energy, IT, and financial services offer higher wages. Major cities (Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe) tend to have wages above the national average. Source: Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) / World Bank estimates (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Zambia?
The standard work week in Zambia is 48 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate on regular days, 2x on Sundays and public holidays. Governed by the Employment Code Act, 2019.
How has the minimum wage in Zambia changed over time?
The minimum wage in Zambia has changed as follows: ZK993 in 2018, ZK1,300 in 2024. This represents 2 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Zambia in USD?
The minimum wage in Zambia converts to approximately $0.33/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 Zambia in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Zambia is approximately $369.20 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Zambia's minimum wage compare to the Africa average?
Zambia's minimum wage ranks #24 out of 33 countries with statutory minimum wages in Africa, placing it below the median for Africa.
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