Key Facts: Zimbabwe Wages
- Country
- Zimbabwe (ZWE)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- United States Dollar (USD)
- Minimum Wage
- $0.87 /hr
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- $253 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- $3,036 /year
- Median Individual Income
- $1,200 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 45 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare — Zimbabwe
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Zimbabwe — Average Salary & Wages
United States Dollar (USD) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Zimbabwe is
$3,036 a year
But half of all workers earn less than $1,200 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Zimbabwe is $0.87/hr as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is $253 ($253 USD). The median monthly income is $100 ($100 USD).
Rough estimates. With average annual income of ~USD 2,400, Zimbabwe is classified as lower middle-income. Most of the population depends on informal activities and remittances.
Estimated average for formal sector workers. Low-skilled workers average ~USD 231/month. Civil servants and teachers frequently earn wages below living costs. Urban formal sector workers in Harare earn more than the national average.
• SECTOR RATES
Agriculture sector (NEC lowest grade)
$26 /mo
Since 2024-01-01
Agricultural NEC grade A1 — ZWG 683 (approx. USD 26)
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2018, the minimum wage has grown +100% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Zimbabwe, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $0.10/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 Zimbabwe earns $150/mo. That is 59% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- $150 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 59% gross, before tax
- Nominal growth
- +100% since 2018
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- $0.87
- Monthly
- $150National minimum wage floor in USD (or equivalent in Zimbabwe Gold currency)
- Annual
- $1,80012 monthly payments
Zimbabwe's national minimum wage was set at USD 150/month under Statutory Instrument 186 of 2024. Employers can pay in foreign currency, local ZiG currency, or a combination. Many industries operate under sector-specific rates negotiated by National Employment Councils (NECs), which may be lower (e.g., agriculture NEC rates as low as USD 26-33/month for lowest grades). In practice, the USD 150 figure is the intended national floor, though enforcement varies. Zimbabwe has experienced extreme currency volatility — from hyperinflation in 2008, to dollarization, to the ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold) currency introduced in 2024.
Work Week
- Standard
- 45 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Labour Act sets maximum working hours at 45 per week (9 hours/day for 5-day week). Overtime is limited and must be compensated at 150% of normal rate. Sunday and public holiday work at 200%.
How Zimbabwe Compares
| Metric | Zimbabwe | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $0.87/hr | $0.91/hr | $6.06/hr (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $253/mo | $381.53/mo | $1,625/mo (Mauritania) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Cambodia | $0.88 |
| Nepal | $0.83 |
| Senegal | $0.78 |
| Ivory Coast | $0.78 |
| Tunisia | $0.74 |
| Zimbabwe | $0.87 |
Related Wage Comparisons
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Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Zimbabwe on our sister site.
Cost of living in Zimbabwe on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Zimbabwe?
The minimum wage in Zimbabwe is $0.87/hr, effective since 2024-10-01. Zimbabwe's national minimum wage was set at USD 150/month under Statutory Instrument 186 of 2024. Employers can pay in foreign currency, local ZiG currency, or a combination. Many industries operate under sector-specific rates negotiated by National Employment Councils (NECs), which may be lower (e.g., agriculture NEC rates as low as USD 26-33/month for lowest grades). In practice, the USD 150 figure is the intended national floor, though enforcement varies. Zimbabwe has experienced extreme currency volatility — from hyperinflation in 2008, to dollarization, to the ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold) currency introduced in 2024.
What is the average salary in Zimbabwe?
The average gross monthly salary in Zimbabwe is $253 (approximately $253 USD). Estimated average for formal sector workers. Low-skilled workers average ~USD 231/month. Civil servants and teachers frequently earn wages below living costs. Urban formal sector workers in Harare earn more than the national average. Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Zimbabwe?
The standard work week in Zimbabwe is 45 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Labour Act sets maximum working hours at 45 per week (9 hours/day for 5-day week). Overtime is limited and must be compensated at 150% of normal rate. Sunday and public holiday work at 200%.
How has the minimum wage in Zimbabwe changed over time?
The minimum wage in Zimbabwe has changed as follows: $75 in 2018, $35 in 2020, $100 in 2023, $150 in 2024. This represents 4 recorded adjustments.
What is the average salary in Zimbabwe in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Zimbabwe is approximately $253 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Note: this currency has multiple exchange rates. Official and parallel or market rates diverge, so the real dollar value can differ substantially from this figure depending on the rate used. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Zimbabwe's minimum wage compare to the Africa average?
Zimbabwe's minimum wage ranks #10 out of 33 countries with statutory minimum wages in Africa, placing it above the median for Africa.
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