Average Salary in Pakistan: Wage Breakdowns By City and Role

Salary data across Pakistan can make the country look like two different labor markets. One source may report a national wage near 39,000 PKR per month, while another puts typical professional pay at nearly twice that amount. Both can be useful, but only if you know what they measure.

For companies hiring in Pakistan, the average salary in Pakistan is a starting point, not an offer blueprint. Pakistan’s average salaries vary considerably by role, city, experience level, and whether the job sits in the formal or informal economy sector. A competitive package also has to account for local minimum wage rules, payroll tax, benefits, and market conditions.

This guide includes official wage data and broader market estimates, so you can build an informed compensation package.

What is the average salary in Pakistan?

The average gross monthly salary in Pakistan is 39,042 PKR, according to the most recent Labor Force Survey from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). That’s about 139 USD at an exchange rate of 280 PKR = 1 USD. The survey averages wages across all paid employees, including the large informal economy, consisting of people who work outside formal registration, tax, and social security systems.

PBS places the formal sector average at 54,038 PKR (about 193 USD) per month compared to 30,834 PKR (roughly 139 USD) within the informal sector.

For international employers, the national average income in Pakistan is only a general figure. An experienced candidate in fields like IT and financial services typically commands a higher offer. Benchmark the exact role and location, then consider the full employment cost.

Minimum wage in Pakistan vs. average salary

The minimum wage in Pakistan varies by province. According to the Minimum Wages Ordinance of 1961, the federal government sets a floor across Pakistan, but provinces run their own minimum wage boards. That means each province can set a higher minimum wage than the nationally enforced floor.

As of July 1, 2026, the federal minimum wage in Pakistan is 40,700 PKR per month, according to the country’s Ministry of Finance. This rate applies directly in Islamabad Capital Territory and Balochistan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has set its own provincial minimum wages at 40,000 PKR, and Sindh has set its minimum wage at 43,000 PKR.

A country’s minimum wage tells you what’s legally required, not necessarily what it takes to hire and retain talent. A competitive salary, particularly for hires with advanced skills and experience, often needs to sit well above these floors.

Average salary in Pakistan by industry and profession

Average compensation in Pakistan varies substantially by industry. The table below shows Pakistan’s average salary in USD equivalents and in PKR, with figures from the PBR’s Labor Force Survey.

Data from Indeed shows salaries for specialized roles are often higher than the national monthly mean wage of 39,042 PKR. In technology, software engineers average monthly base salaries of 93,463 PKR. In financial services, finance managers average 124,275 PKR while telecommunications engineers average 78,170 PKR. Pharmacists average 47,018 PKR, which is closer to the national monthly mean.

Industry alone doesn’t determine an adequate offer. PBS reports monthly occupational averages of 62,822 PKR for professionals and 103,268 PKR for managers. When considering a hire, benchmark the role, city, and seniority, then include statutory and market-standard benefits to get a more comprehensive picture of the cost. For relocating a hire, ensure to follow Pakistan’s work visa and legal authorization requirements before finalizing an offer and start date.

Average salary in Pakistan by city

Average monthly salaries in Pakistan also vary by city, so a national figure doesn’t represent what employers should expect to pay in the country’s main talent markets. Glassdoor data places the median monthly salary in Karachi at 48,000 PKR (about 171 USD), and the median in Lahore at 30,000 PKR (107 USD).

Karachi is the main industrial capital of Pakistan and one of the largest cities in the world. Lahore combines technology, services, manufacturing, and a deep university talent pool. Islamabad and adjacent Rawalpindi operate as one connected metro market, but salaries can still vary widely by employer type and role.

Treat city figures as one piece of the puzzle when hiring employees in Pakistan. A useful benchmark combines the most recent local job data, candidate expectations, and the role’s seniority.

Average salary by experience level

Job candidates for more specialized and professional roles may expect a higher salary offer. Using Lahore as an example, here’s how monthly salaries compare based on years of experience, according to Glassdoor data:

• Entry level (1–3 years). The median is 25,000 PKR per month.
• Mid-level (7–9 years). The median is 50,000 PKR per month.
• Executive level (15+ years). The median is 6,400,000 PKR per month.

Two professionals within the same industry and city can earn vastly different salaries depending on the seniority of their roles.

Hire and pay employees in Pakistan with Pebl

A salary benchmark tells you what reasonable pay may look like for a potential employee. After the offer, you still need to run payroll and apply the correct tax treatment to stay compliant.

Pebl can act as an Employer of Record (EOR) in Pakistan, so companies can hire in the country without first establishing a local entity. As an EOR, Pebl becomes the hire’s legal employer while you still direct their day-to-day work. You can manage employment contracts, payroll, statutory contributions, and locally compliant benefits, all through Pebl’s platform.

For teams already operating across borders, Pebl’s Global Payroll tool incorporates local tax regulations. HR and finance teams get a clear view of compensation and employment costs across markets.

Pebl’s market salary insights add current benchmarking context alongside those payroll operations. When questions arise, Alfie, Pebl’s AI assistant, provides access to vetted country-specific employment information and reporting, so teams can move forward with clarity.

Ready to hire in Pakistan? Contact Pebl to request a demo and learn more.

FAQ

Which cities in Pakistan offer the highest average salaries?

Karachi and Lahore offer some of the highest median salaries in Pakistan, estimated at 48,000 PKR and 30,000 PKR, respectively.

How does Pakistan’s average salary compare to the Asian average?

Pakistan’s average monthly salary is 39,042 PKR. For comparison, that’s lower than Malaysia’s average of 3,652 RM (about 248,214 PKR) and the Philippines’ average of 21,544 PhP (about 94,954.80 PKR). It’s worth noting that Pakistan has a moderate cost of living, with higher costs in more urban parts of the country. Employers comparing Pakistan to other Asian markets can weigh both the nominal cost and local purchasing power when developing a salary offer.