Salary Guide: What Jobs Pay in Namibia (2026)

Important: The figures below are broad market estimates based on typical Namibian job adverts and industry norms — they are not official statistics. Actual pay depends on the employer, your experience, and your qualifications. Use them as a starting point for negotiation, not a promise.

First, know the floor: minimum wage in Namibia

Namibia's national minimum wage framework applies to domestic workers and security guards through sectoral determinations, with the broader minimum wage set in recent years at N$18 per hour for general workers — roughly N$2,880 for a 40-hour week before deductions. Security guards and domestic workers have their own sectoral minimums, which are periodically adjusted.

If an advertised salary is below the legal minimum for your sector, you have the right to ask — and the right to report to the Office of the Labour Commissioner (see our labour law guide).

Salary ranges by industry

Typical monthly gross ranges (before deductions) for common roles, based on entry level to experienced:

Mining

• General worker / plant attendant: N$4,000 – N$8,000
• Artisan (electrician, mechanic, boilermaker): N$12,000 – N$30,000
• Shift supervisor / foreman: N$20,000 – N$40,000
• Metallurgist / chemist / geologist: N$25,000 – N$60,000+

Mining pays the strongest wages in the country, especially in Erongo and Otjozondjupa, but competition is intense and many roles require a medical fitness certificate and shift work.

Finance, banking & accounting

• Bank teller / clerk: N$6,000 – N$12,000
• Bookkeeper: N$8,000 – N$18,000
• Accountant (qualified): N$15,000 – N$40,000
• Chartered accountant / CFO level: N$50,000+

IT & telecoms

• IT support / help desk: N$6,000 – N$14,000
• Developer / systems administrator: N$12,000 – N$35,000
• Senior developer / IT manager: N$30,000 – N$60,000+

Remote work for foreign companies has lifted the ceiling here — some Namibian developers now earn in USD.

Health

• Enrolled nurse: N$8,000 – N$15,000
• Registered nurse: N$12,000 – N$25,000
• Medical officer / specialist: N$35,000 – N$90,000+

Education

• Teacher (government scale): N$8,000 – N$25,000 depending on qualification and years of service
• Lecturer / senior positions: N$25,000 – N$60,000

Retail & hospitality

• Cashier / shop assistant: N$3,500 – N$6,500
• Store supervisor: N$6,000 – N$12,000
• Hotel front office / reception: N$4,500 – N$10,000
• Lodge / restaurant management: N$10,000 – N$25,000

Service roles at tourism lodges often include accommodation and meals — when comparing offers, always value the benefits, not just the cash.

Government & NGOs

• Administrative clerk / officer: N$6,000 – N$15,000
• Professional grades (per government scales): N$15,000 – N$50,000

Public sector pay follows official grading scales and includes pension and medical aid benefits, which are worth 20–30% on top of the cash salary.

Windhoek vs. the rest of the country

Khomas salaries typically run 15–30% higher than smaller towns for the same role, reflecting the higher cost of living. Erongo (Walvis Bay, Swakopmund) sits close behind, driven by the port and mining. But your money can go further in Otjozondjupa, Oshana, or Hardap: rent that costs N$7,000 in Windhoek might cost N$2,500 in Otjiwarongo. Compare offers by what's left after rent and transport, not the headline number.

How to read a benefits package

Two offers with the same cash salary can be worlds apart. Ask what's included:

• Medical aid — employer contribution to schemes like PSEMAS (public) or private schemes. A 50/50 contribution on a N$1,500 monthly premium is N$750/month of real value.
• Pension / provident fund — employer contributions compound into serious money over a career. Never dismiss it.
• Housing allowance — common in government, education, mining, and lodge jobs. In mining towns, company housing can save you more than a N$5,000 salary difference.
• Transport or cellphone allowance — typical in sales and field roles.
• 13th cheque / bonus — divides your annual pay by 13 instead of 12. Ask whether the advertised figure includes it.
• Leave days — statutory minimums apply, but some employers offer more (see the labour law guide).

Negotiating without losing the offer

1. Research first. Use this guide, ask people in the industry, and check what similar adverts offer. Walking in with "I just feel I deserve more" is weak; "the market range for this role is X to Y" is strong.
2. Let them name a number first. If pushed, give a range with your target near the bottom — "N$12,000 to N$15,000" anchored at 12, not 15.
3. Negotiate the package, not just the salary. If the salary is fixed, ask about a review after 6 months, a housing allowance, or a skills development budget.
4. Get it in writing. Any agreed figure, allowance, or review date must appear in your employment contract before you resign from your current job.

When a job advert on Otjizu Jobs lists a salary range, treat the bottom as the starting point for someone meeting the minimum requirements — not the ceiling. Apply anyway if you're close.