Zimbabwe Labour Market Intelligence
Minimum wages by sector
What the lowest grade earns, industry by industry, taken from the gazetted agreement or the council notice that set it. Every row carries the grade it belongs to, the date it applies from and the address it came from.
Prepared 5 October 2026
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Minimum wages by sector
What the lowest grade earns, industry by industry, taken from the gazetted agreement or the council notice that set it. Every row carries the grade it belongs to, the date it applies from and the address it came from.
The national floor
US$270 a month, but only for workers no council covers
Zimbabwe has no single wage that applies to everybody. The gazetted floor is a residual figure. It bites only where no registered council agreement reaches the worker. Where a council agreement does reach them, and for most formal employment it does, the council grade applies instead and it is normally a good deal higher.
Where the national figure stands today
US$270 a month for workers in unclassified operations, meaning those outside any National Employment Council, set by Cabinet on 16 June 2026 on the recommendation of the tripartite Wages and Salaries Advisory Council. Domestic workers are set separately at US$90 a month for a general domestic worker, US$99 for a cook or housekeeper, US$108 for a minder of a child or a disabled or aged person, and US$117 where that minder holds a Red Cross certificate.
Before that, Statutory Instrument 186 of 2024, gazetted on 22 November 2024, set the figure at US$150 a month for any employee whose pay is not fixed by an agreement, determination or regulation. It expressly left out domestic workers and agricultural employers.
The figures are written in United States dollars but are payable in Zimbabwe Gold at the rate ruling when the wage falls due.
23
Sectors with a sourced figure
US$484.10
Highest floor, in insurance and pensions
US$75.00
Lowest floor, in agriculture, tea and coffee
9
Still quoted in the old currency
Every sector, highest floor first
The figure is the wage at the bottom of the scale. Almost every agreement pays more as the grade rises, and several add housing and transport on top.
| Sector | Lowest grade earns | Grade | In force from | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance and pensions | US$484.10 a month484.10 basic, and US$624.10 once the US$80 housing and US$60 transport allowances are added | Grade A1, the lowest of the A1 to C3 scale | 1 January to 30 June 2026 | Statutory Instrument 86 of 2026 |
| Tobacco manufacturing | US$433.14 a month433.14, plus a US$15.00 across the board cost of living adjustment | Grade 1.1, the lowest of ten grades each holding two levels | 1 October to 31 December 2024 | Statutory Instrument 79 of 2025 |
| Mining, mine workers | US$418.78 a month | Grade 1, the lowest of thirteen | 1 July to 31 December 2026. It was US$410.96 for the first half of 2026. | The 2026 mining industry wage agreement signed on 9 July 2026 between the Chamber of Mines and the two mine workers unions |
| Rural district councils | US$375.00 a month375.00 basic, and US$457.00 once the US$82 payment replacing the food hamper is added | Grade 1, the lowest of nine | From 1 August 2025. It was US$310.00 from 1 May 2025. | Statutory Instrument 34 of 2026 |
| Ferro alloy | US$300.02 a month | Grade 1, the lowest of sixteen | 1 March to 31 December 2023 | Statutory Instrument 146 of 2024 |
| Food and allied, baking | US$300.00 a month | Grade 1, the lowest of nine | January to June 2023 | Statutory Instrument 50 of 2024 |
| Medical and allied | US$291.58 a month291.58 in hospitals, pharmacies and laboratories, US$300.00 in imaging, retail pharmacy and ambulance work, and US$287.50 in primary care clinics and dental practice | Grade A1, general hand or groundsman | From the first day of the month after registration. The instrument was published on 15 November 2024. | Statutory Instrument 184 of 2024 |
| Soft drinks manufacturing | US$275.60 a month | Grade A1 | 1 October to 31 December 2024 | Statutory Instrument 21 of 2026 |
| Cleaning and hygiene | 251.00 a month251.00, raised from 225.00 | Grade 1A, the lowest of grades 1A to 12 | From 1 November 2023 | Statutory Instrument 12 of 2024 |
| Air transport | US$215.00 a month215.00 basic, plus US$95 housing, US$45 transport and US$75 further allowance | The single industry minimum, no grades are set | 1 May to 30 November 2024 | Statutory Instrument 80 of 2026 |
| Engineering and iron and steel | US$205.00 a month205.00 a month, which is an hourly rate of US$1.0733 | Grade A1, the lowest of the graded worker categories | 1 October 2022 to 28 February 2023 | Statutory Instrument 107 of 2024 |
| Electronics, communications, radio and television | US$190.00 a month | Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C4 | 1 August to 30 September 2023 | Statutory Instrument 63 of 2024 |
| Textile manufacturing | US$184.00 a month184.00, being US$82.80 in United States dollars and US$101.20 in local currency | Level 1, the lowest of sixteen, covering general worker, packer, presser and folder | From 1 February 2023 | Statutory Instrument 79 of 2024 |
| Welfare and educational institutions | US$160.00 a month | Grade A1, independent H1, day rural schools, which is the lowest band. Day urban and boarding schools pay more. | From 1 September 2025 | Statutory Instrument 79 of 2026 |
| Chemicals, fertilisers, battery and plastics | US$150.00 a month150.00, being the lowest of the subsector minima | Grade A1, which differs by subsector: plastics US$150.00, fertilizers and agro chemicals US$173.69, personal care US$190.80, battery US$200.00, industrial chemicals US$208.00, paints and printing inks US$229.00, explosives US$250.00 and pharmaceutical US$275.60 | From 1 January 2023 | Statutory Instrument 53 of 2024 |
| Agriculture, sugarcane | US$148.00 a month148.00, raised from US$137, an increase of eight percent | The lowest graded minimum | The 2025 sugarcane wage round. The report does not give the exact commencement date. | The sugarcane wage agreement. The job grades themselves were gazetted as Statutory Instrument 224 of 2025. |
| Agriculture, kapenta | US$129.00 a month | Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C2 | From 1 September 2024 | Statutory Instrument 204 of 2025 |
| Agriculture, agro subsector | US$125.00 a month | Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C2 | From 1 February 2024 | Statutory Instrument 207 of 2025 |
| Agriculture, timber | US$105.00 a month105.00 in total, being US$65 in United States dollars and a US$40 component paid in local currency | Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C2 | From 1 January 2023 | Statutory Instrument 220 of 2025 |
| Agriculture, horticulture | US$99.00 a month99.00, being US$79 plus a US$20 convertible component | Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C2. The top grade C2 is US$196. | Backdated to 1 May 2025 | Statutory Instrument 57 of 2026 |
| Domestic work | US$90.00 a month90.00, raised from US$85 | General domestic worker, yard worker or gardener. A cook or housekeeper is US$99, a minder of a child or a disabled or aged person is US$108, and US$117 where that minder holds a Red Cross certificate. | From 16 June 2026 | Cabinet decision on the recommendation of the tripartite Wages and Salaries Advisory Council. Domestic workers sit outside Statutory Instrument 186 of 2024. |
| Agriculture, general agriculture | US$80.00 a month80.00, raised from US$75. Allowances add US$38 for accommodation, US$12 for fuel and US$8 for night work. | Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C2. The top grade C2 is US$159. | From 1 June 2025 | The general agriculture minimum wage agreement, which references the interbank rate of 22 July 2025 |
| Agriculture, tea and coffee | US$75.00 a month | Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C2. The top grade C2 is US$148. | From 1 May 2024 | Statutory Instrument 208 of 2025 |
Mining and quarrying
- Mining, mine workersUS$418.78 a month
Grade 1, the lowest of thirteen
How it is paid. USD, paid in United States dollars and Zimbabwe Gold together. A mine that earns no foreign currency may pay the whole amount in Zimbabwe Gold at the interbank rate.
In force 1 July to 31 December 2026. It was US$410.96 for the first half of 2026..
The 2026 mining industry wage agreement signed on 9 July 2026 between the Chamber of Mines and the two mine workers unions - Ferro alloyUS$300.02 a month
Grade 1, the lowest of sixteen
How it is paid. Split, 75 percent of net earnings in United States dollars and 25 percent in local currency
In force 1 March to 31 December 2023.
Statutory Instrument 146 of 2024
Money, insurance and pensions
- Insurance and pensionsUS$484.10 a month
484.10 basic, and US$624.10 once the US$80 housing and US$60 transport allowances are added
Grade A1, the lowest of the A1 to C3 scale
How it is paid. Split, 73 percent in United States dollars and 27 percent in Zimbabwe Gold
In force 1 January to 30 June 2026.
Statutory Instrument 86 of 2026
Public service and local authorities
- Rural district councilsUS$375.00 a month
375.00 basic, and US$457.00 once the US$82 payment replacing the food hamper is added
Grade 1, the lowest of nine
How it is paid. USD
In force From 1 August 2025. It was US$310.00 from 1 May 2025..
Statutory Instrument 34 of 2026
Manufacturing
- Tobacco manufacturingUS$433.14 a month
433.14, plus a US$15.00 across the board cost of living adjustment
Grade 1.1, the lowest of ten grades each holding two levels
How it is paid. Split, at least 75 percent in United States dollars with the balance converted to Zimbabwe Gold
In force 1 October to 31 December 2024.
Statutory Instrument 79 of 2025 - Food and allied, bakingUS$300.00 a month
Grade 1, the lowest of nine
How it is paid. Indexed in United States dollars, payable in local currency at the central bank rate on the twenty first of the month, or directly in United States dollars if the employer chooses
In force January to June 2023.
Statutory Instrument 50 of 2024 - Soft drinks manufacturingUS$275.60 a month
Grade A1
How it is paid. Split, 75 percent in United States dollars and 25 percent in Zimbabwe Gold
In force 1 October to 31 December 2024.
Statutory Instrument 21 of 2026 - Engineering and iron and steelUS$205.00 a month
205.00 a month, which is an hourly rate of US$1.0733
Grade A1, the lowest of the graded worker categories
How it is paid. USD, indexed
In force 1 October 2022 to 28 February 2023.
Statutory Instrument 107 of 2024 - Electronics, communications, radio and televisionUS$190.00 a month
Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C4
How it is paid. Split between United States dollars and local currency
In force 1 August to 30 September 2023.
Statutory Instrument 63 of 2024 - Textile manufacturingUS$184.00 a month
184.00, being US$82.80 in United States dollars and US$101.20 in local currency
Level 1, the lowest of sixteen, covering general worker, packer, presser and folder
How it is paid. Split, 45 percent in United States dollars and 55 percent in local currency at the official rate
In force From 1 February 2023.
Statutory Instrument 79 of 2024 - Chemicals, fertilisers, battery and plasticsUS$150.00 a month
150.00, being the lowest of the subsector minima
Grade A1, which differs by subsector: plastics US$150.00, fertilizers and agro chemicals US$173.69, personal care US$190.80, battery US$200.00, industrial chemicals US$208.00, paints and printing inks US$229.00, explosives US$250.00 and pharmaceutical US$275.60
How it is paid. Benchmarked in United States dollars, paid in local currency at the interbank rate or directly in United States dollars depending on the subsector
In force From 1 January 2023.
Statutory Instrument 53 of 2024
Health, welfare and education
- Medical and alliedUS$291.58 a month
291.58 in hospitals, pharmacies and laboratories, US$300.00 in imaging, retail pharmacy and ambulance work, and US$287.50 in primary care clinics and dental practice
Grade A1, general hand or groundsman
How it is paid. USD
In force From the first day of the month after registration. The instrument was published on 15 November 2024..
Statutory Instrument 184 of 2024 - Welfare and educational institutionsUS$160.00 a month
Grade A1, independent H1, day rural schools, which is the lowest band. Day urban and boarding schools pay more.
How it is paid. USD, the agreement states the wages are denominated in United States dollars
In force From 1 September 2025.
Statutory Instrument 79 of 2026
Trade, services and hospitality
- Cleaning and hygiene251.00 a month
251.00, raised from 225.00
Grade 1A, the lowest of grades 1A to 12
How it is paid. The published schedule prints the figure without a currency mark
In force From 1 November 2023.
Statutory Instrument 12 of 2024 - Domestic workUS$90.00 a month
90.00, raised from US$85
General domestic worker, yard worker or gardener. A cook or housekeeper is US$99, a minder of a child or a disabled or aged person is US$108, and US$117 where that minder holds a Red Cross certificate.
How it is paid. Denominated in United States dollars, payable in Zimbabwe Gold at the ruling rate
In force From 16 June 2026.
Cabinet decision on the recommendation of the tripartite Wages and Salaries Advisory Council. Domestic workers sit outside Statutory Instrument 186 of 2024.
Transport and logistics
- Air transportUS$215.00 a month
215.00 basic, plus US$95 housing, US$45 transport and US$75 further allowance
The single industry minimum, no grades are set
How it is paid. USD, with a Zimbabwe Gold alternative at a seventy to thirty split
In force 1 May to 30 November 2024.
Statutory Instrument 80 of 2026
Farming, forestry and fishing
- Agriculture, sugarcaneUS$148.00 a month
148.00, raised from US$137, an increase of eight percent
The lowest graded minimum
How it is paid. USD
In force The 2025 sugarcane wage round. The report does not give the exact commencement date..
The sugarcane wage agreement. The job grades themselves were gazetted as Statutory Instrument 224 of 2025. - Agriculture, kapentaUS$129.00 a month
Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C2
How it is paid. USD
In force From 1 September 2024.
Statutory Instrument 204 of 2025 - Agriculture, agro subsectorUS$125.00 a month
Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C2
How it is paid. Split, 70 percent in United States dollars and a 30 percent component fixed in United States dollars but paid in local currency
In force From 1 February 2024.
Statutory Instrument 207 of 2025 - Agriculture, timberUS$105.00 a month
105.00 in total, being US$65 in United States dollars and a US$40 component paid in local currency
Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C2
How it is paid. Split, at the interbank rate on the twentieth of the month
In force From 1 January 2023.
Statutory Instrument 220 of 2025 - Agriculture, horticultureUS$99.00 a month
99.00, being US$79 plus a US$20 convertible component
Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C2. The top grade C2 is US$196.
How it is paid. Split, 80 percent in United States dollars and 20 percent denominated in United States dollars but convertible to Zimbabwe Gold at the interbank rate. An employer able to do so may pay the whole amount in United States dollars.
In force Backdated to 1 May 2025.
Statutory Instrument 57 of 2026 - Agriculture, general agricultureUS$80.00 a month
80.00, raised from US$75. Allowances add US$38 for accommodation, US$12 for fuel and US$8 for night work.
Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C2. The top grade C2 is US$159.
How it is paid. Split, 65 percent in United States dollars and 35 percent in Zimbabwe Gold
In force From 1 June 2025.
The general agriculture minimum wage agreement, which references the interbank rate of 22 July 2025 - Agriculture, tea and coffeeUS$75.00 a month
Grade A1, the lowest of A1 to C2. The top grade C2 is US$148.
How it is paid. Split, 70 percent in United States dollars and 30 percent in Zimbabwe Gold at the interbank rate on the twentieth of the month
In force From 1 May 2024.
Statutory Instrument 208 of 2025
Figures still written in the old Zimbabwe dollar
The Zimbabwe Gold replaced the old Zimbabwe dollar in April 2024. These agreements have not been renegotiated in the new currency, so the figures are shown exactly as they were gazetted. Converting them here would invent a number nobody agreed to.
| Sector | Lowest grade earns | Grade | In force from | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security | ZWL 23,000.00 a month | Guard or general hand | From 1 April 2022 | Statutory Instrument 52 of 2023 |
| Banking | ZWL 295,000.00 a month, with provision for 30 percent in United States dollars | Commissionaire, the entry grade | From 1 October 2022 | Statutory Instrument 59 of 2023 |
| Food and allied, meat, fish, poultry and abattoir | ZWL 235,000.00 a month | Grade A1 | From March 2023 | Statutory Instrument 49 of 2024 |
| Food and allied, brewing and distilling | ZWL 235,000.00 a month, up thirty one percent from ZWL 180,000 | The lowest minimum, with a five percent step between grades above it | January to March 2023 | Statutory Instrument 46 of 2024 |
| Food and allied, sweets and confectionery | ZWL 205,000.00 a month, plus ZWL 26,000 housing and ZWL 26,000 transport | Grade A1 | January to March 2023 | Statutory Instrument 48 of 2024 |
| Brick making and clay products | ZWL 77,500.00 a month, plus ZWL 6,340 housing | Grade A1 | November 2022 to February 2023 | Statutory Instrument 58 of 2023 |
| Printing, packaging and newspaper | ZWL 38,600.00 a month | Grade 1 non technical, and semi skilled 3 and trainee proof readers on the technical scale | Calendar year 2022 | Statutory Instrument 135 of 2022 |
| Tourism, parks and wildlife undertaking | ZWL 78,399.00 a month plus US$100 | The lowest paid employees covered, grades are not itemised | 1 June to 31 July 2022 | Statutory Instrument 38 of 2023 |
| Transport operating | ZWL 2,549.74 a month, or ZWL 588.45 a week | Grade A1, bus cleaner, general worker, loader and fuel issuer | From 1 April 2020 | Statutory Instrument 42 of 2022 |
Need the agreement itself?
Every council, with its gazetted agreements underneath it and each document one click away.
As at 5 Oct 2026, 14:43. Method version unknown.