Average Salaries in Zambia
30+ roles across 7 industries · Updated March 2026
Compare monthly salaries across Zambia's key industries. Mining offers the highest pay (ZMK 20K–80K), while the national minimum wage is approximately ZMK 2,500/month. Includes PAYE tax rates and employer benefit information.
Minimum Wage
ZMK 2,500
per month
Median Salary
ZMK 6,000
per month
Top Earning Sector
Mining
ZMK 20K–80K
Tax-free Threshold
ZMK 4,800
PAYE 0%
⛏️ Mining & Engineering
| Role | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Civil / Structural Engineer | ZMK 5,000 – 60,000+ |
| Chemical / Metallurgical Engineer | ZMK 15,000 – 70,000+ |
| Geologist | ZMK 12,000 – 60,000+ |
| Underground Miner | ZMK 8,000 – 15,000 |
| Mine Manager | ZMK 40,000 – 120,000+ |
🏥 Healthcare & Medicine
| Role | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Doctor | ZMK 15,000 – 70,000+ |
| Nurse (All Ranks) | ZMK 4,000 – 14,000+ |
| Pharmacist | ZMK 4,500 – 25,000+ |
| Dentist | ZMK 12,000 – 40,000+ |
| Biomedical Engineer | ZMK 8,000 – 35,000+ |
| Clinical Officer | ZMK 7,500 – 16,000+ |
🏦 Corporate & Finance
| Role | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Accountant | ZMK 5,000 – 45,000+ |
| HR Manager | ZMK 5,000 – 60,000+ |
| Lawyer / Legal Counsel | ZMK 10,000 – 100,000+ |
| Bank Teller | ZMK 4,000 – 7,000 |
| Branch Manager | ZMK 18,000 – 35,000 |
📚 Education
| Role | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Teacher (Primary & Secondary) | ZMK 3,000 – 25,000+ |
| University Lecturer | ZMK 12,000 – 25,000 |
| School Administrator | ZMK 10,000 – 22,000 |
🏛️ Government & Public Sector
| Role | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Police Officer | ZMK 3,500 – 15,000+ |
| Civil Servant (Entry) | ZMK 4,000 – 6,500 |
| Permanent Secretary | ZMK 30,000 – 50,000 |
💻 Technology
| Role | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Web Developer / Software Engineer | ZMK 10,000 – 50,000+ |
| IT Support | ZMK 4,000 – 8,000 |
| Systems Administrator | ZMK 8,000 – 16,000 |
| IT Manager | ZMK 20,000 – 40,000 |
🔧 Services & Trades
| Role | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Pilot (Commercial & Charter) | ZMK 25,000 – 90,000+ |
| Truck Driver (Domestic & Cross-Border) | ZMK 3,000 – 22,000+ |
| Security Guard | ZMK 2,500 – 3,500 |
| Domestic Worker | ZMK 1,500 – 2,500 |
| Sales Representative | ZMK 3,500 – 6,000 + comm. |
| Construction Worker | ZMK 3,000 – 6,000 |
| Hotel/Restaurant Staff | ZMK 2,500 – 5,000 |
PAYE Income Tax Rates (2026)
PAYE (Pay As You Earn) is deducted monthly by employers and remitted to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA). Employees also contribute 5% to NAPSA (National Pension Scheme Authority).
| Income Bracket | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| First ZMK 4,800 | 0% |
| ZMK 4,801 – 6,800 | 20% |
| ZMK 6,801 – 8,900 | 30% |
| Above ZMK 8,900 | 37.5% |
Salary Trends in Zambia
Salaries in Zambia vary widely by sector, location, and experience level. The mining sector consistently offers the highest compensation — driven by demand for skilled engineers and geologists on the Copperbelt. Lusaka salaries are typically 10–25% higher than other cities for equivalent roles, reflecting the higher cost of living in the capital.
The tech sector has seen the fastest salary growth (15–20% annually since 2023), fuelled by demand for software developers, data analysts, and cybersecurity professionals. Mobile money platforms (MTN, Airtel, Zamtel) and fintech startups are the leading tech employers.
Salary vs Cost of Living
A single person in Lusaka needs approximately ZMK 7,000–14,000/month for a comfortable lifestyle (see our cost of living breakdown). This means that entry-level workers (ZMK 2,500–4,000) often need to supplement income or share housing. Mid-level professionals (ZMK 8,000–15,000) can live comfortably, while senior/executive salaries (ZMK 20,000+) afford an upper-middle-class lifestyle.
Data sources: JCTR Basic Needs Basket reports, ZRA PAYE tax tables, Numbeo Zambia, industry salary surveys. Figures are gross monthly salaries before tax and represent typical ranges for 2025–2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Zambia 2026?
The minimum wage in Zambia is approximately ZMK 2,500 per month for domestic workers and ZMK 3,000 per month for general workers, as set by the Ministry of Labour. However, actual enforcement varies — particularly in the informal sector, where wages may be lower. The minimum wage was last revised in 2024 through Statutory Instrument No. 46.
What is the highest-paying job in Zambia?
Mining sector roles are the highest paid in Zambia. A Mine Manager can earn ZMK 40,000–80,000 per month, while Mining Engineers earn ZMK 20,000–45,000. Outside mining, specialist doctors in private practice (ZMK 30,000–60,000) and senior IT managers (ZMK 20,000–40,000) are among the top earners.
How is PAYE calculated in Zambia?
Pay As You Earn (PAYE) is a progressive income tax. The first ZMK 4,800 is tax-free. Income from ZMK 4,801–6,800 is taxed at 20%, from ZMK 6,801–8,900 at 30%, and income above ZMK 8,900 at 37.5%. Employers deduct PAYE monthly and remit it to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA). Employees also contribute 5% to NAPSA (social security).
Are Lusaka salaries higher than other cities?
Yes, salaries in Lusaka are typically 10–25% higher than in other Zambian cities for the same role. Kitwe and Ndola (Copperbelt) offer competitive mining salaries, but non-mining roles pay less. Livingstone salaries are lower except in tourism and hospitality. The cost of living difference partially offsets the salary gap — Lusaka rent is 30–50% higher than Copperbelt.
Do Zambian employers provide benefits beyond salary?
Many formal employers in Zambia provide additional benefits including: medical insurance (NHIMA mandatory + private cover), transport allowance (ZMK 500–2,000/month), housing allowance (ZMK 1,000–5,000/month for senior staff), and NAPSA contributions (5% employer + 5% employee). Mining and banking sectors offer the most comprehensive benefit packages.