How much money does a Security Guard make in Zambia?
Average Monthly Salary
1,770 ZMK
( 21,300 ZMK yearly)
LOW
890
ZMKAVERAGE
1,770
ZMKHIGH
2,750
ZMK
A person working as a Security Guard in Zambia typically earns around 1,770 ZMK per month. Salaries range from 890 ZMK (lowest) to 2,750 ZMK (highest).
This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Security Guard salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Security Guard Salary Distribution in Zambia
The median, the maximum, the minimum, and the range
Salary Range
Security Guard salaries in Zambia range from 890 ZMK per month (minimum salary) to 2,750 ZMK per month (maximum salary).
Median Salary
The median salary is 1,780 ZMK per month, which means that half (50%) of people working as Security Guard(s) are earning less than 1,780 ZMK while the other half are earning more than 1,780 ZMK. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Percentiles
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of Security Guard(s) are earning less than 1,200 ZMK while 75% of them are earning more than 1,200 ZMK. Also from the diagram, 75% of Security Guard(s) are earning less than 2,260 ZMK while 25% are earning more than 2,260 ZMK.
What is the difference between the median and the average salary?
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
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Security Guard Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does experience and age affect your pay?
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher your wage. We broke down Security Guard salaries by experience level and this is what we found.
A Security Guard with less than two years of experience makes approximately 1,060 ZMK per month.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 1,410 ZMK per month, 32% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 1,880 ZMK per month, 34% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
“ On average, a person's salary doubles their starting salary by the time they cross the 10 years* experience mark. ”
* Based on the average change in salary over time. Salary variations differ from person to person.
Additionally, Security Guard(s) whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 2,250 ZMK per month, 19% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 2,430 ZMK per month, 8% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 2,600 ZMK per month, 7% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Security Guard average salary change by experience in Zambia
| 0 - 2 Years | 1,060 ZMK | |
| 2 - 5 Years | +32% | 1,410 ZMK |
| 5 - 10 Years | +34% | 1,880 ZMK |
| 10 - 15 Years | +19% | 2,250 ZMK |
| 15 - 20 Years | +8% | 2,430 ZMK |
| 20+ Years | +7% | 2,600 ZMK |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Typical Salary Progress for Most Careers
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Security Guard Salary Comparison By Education
How do education levels affect salaries?
Displayed below is the average salary difference between different Security Guard(s) who have the same experience but different education levels.
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down Security Guard salaries by education level in order to make a comparison.
When the education level is High School, the average salary of a Security Guard is 1,580 ZMK per month.
While someone with a Certificate or Diploma gets a salary of 2,510 ZMK per month, 59% more than someone having a High School degree.
Security Guard average salary difference by education level in Zambia
| High School | 1,580 ZMK | |
| Certificate or Diploma | +59% | 2,510 ZMK |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Typical Salary Difference by Education for Most Careers
Security Guard Salary Comparison By Gender
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male Security Guard employees in Zambia earn 6% more than their female counterparts on average.
| Male | 1,820 ZMK | |
| Female | -6% | 1,720 ZMK |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Salary Comparison By Gender in Zambia for all Careers
Security Guard Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Zambia
How much are annual salary increments in Zambia for Security Guard(s)? How often do employees get salary raises?
Security Guard
Security Guard(s) in Zambia are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 5% every 29 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 5% granted to employees every 28 months.
The figures provided here are averages of numbers. Those figures should be taken as general guidelines. Salary increments will vary from person to person and depend on many factors, but your performance and contribution to the success of the organization remain the most important factors in determining how much and how often you will be granted a raise.
Zambia / All Professions
The term 'Annual Salary Increase' usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rarely that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
How to calculate the salary increment percentage?
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 ÷ Increase Frequency
“The average salary increase in one year (12 months) in Zambia is 2%.”
Annual Increment Rate By Industry 2022
| Banking | 8% | |
| Energy | 7% | |
| Information Technology | 6% | |
| Healthcare | 5% | |
| Travel | 4% | |
| Construction | 3% | |
| Education | 2% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in Zambia for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
Security Guard Bonus and Incentive Rates in Zambia
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
A Security Guard is considered to be a low bonus-based job due to the generally limited involvement in direct revenue generation, with exceptions of course. The people who get the highest bonuses are usually somehow involved in the revenue generation cycle.
89% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 11% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 0% to 3% of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | 11% | |
| No Bonus | 89% |
Types of Bonuses Considered
Individual Performance-Based Bonuses
The most standard form of bonus where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance Bonuses
Occasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based Bonuses
Granted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year Bonuses
These types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
Bonuses Are Not Commissions!
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?
The main two types of jobs | |
| Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
“Try to work for companies where your skills can generate revenue. We can't all generate revenue and that's perfectly fine.”
Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Security Guard Average Hourly Wage in Zambia
10 ZMK per hour
The average hourly wage (pay per hour) in Zambia is 10 ZMK. This means that the average Security Guard in Zambia earns approximately 10 ZMK for every worked hour.
Hourly Wage = Annual Salary ÷ ( 52 x 5 x 8 )
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
Security Guard VS Other Jobs
The average salary for Security Guard is 63% less than that of Law Enforcement / Security / Fire. Also, Law Enforcement / Security / Fire salaries are 20% less than those of All Jobs.
Salary comparison with similar jobs
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Accreditation Coordinator | 5,110 ZMK |  +190% |
| Accreditation Manager | 7,520 ZMK | +320% |
| Advocate | 4,660 ZMK | +160% |
| Control Room Operator | 1,840 ZMK | +4% |
| Criminal Investigator | 6,870 ZMK | +290% |
| Facility Monitor | 3,530 ZMK | +99% |
| Fire Chief | 6,820 ZMK | +280% |
| Fire Dispatcher | 3,160 ZMK | +78% |
| Fire Education Specialist | 5,650 ZMK | +220% |
| Fire Extinguisher Technician | 2,020 ZMK | +14% |
| Fire Fighter | 3,560 ZMK | +100% |
| Fire Inspector | 6,040 ZMK | +240% |
| Fire Investigator | 6,300 ZMK | +250% |
| Fire Prevention Engineer | 5,180 ZMK | +190% |
| Forensic Investigator | 5,750 ZMK | +220% |
| Forensic Science Technician | 6,220 ZMK | +250% |
| Fraud and Forensic Specialist | 6,710 ZMK | +280% |
| Fraud Examiner | 6,510 ZMK | +270% |
| Grants Specialist | 7,530 ZMK | +320% |
| Intellectual Property Associate | 5,710 ZMK | +220% |
| Intelligence Research Specialist | 9,870 ZMK | +460% |
| Investigator | 6,160 ZMK | +250% |
| Jail Officer | 2,720 ZMK | +53% |
| Juvenile Probation Officer | 4,460 ZMK | +150% |
| Juvenile Supervision Officer | 4,640 ZMK | +160% |
| Lock-Smith | 1,880 ZMK | +6% |
| Parole Officer | 3,210 ZMK | +81% |
| Police Captain | 7,910 ZMK | +350% |
| Police Communications Officer | 4,390 ZMK | +150% |
| Police Officer | 3,660 ZMK | +110% |
| Police Patrol Officer | 3,110 ZMK | +75% |
| Prison Officer | 2,710 ZMK | +53% |
| Prisoner Custody Officer | 2,420 ZMK | +36% |
| Private Detective / Investigator | 6,190 ZMK | +250% |
| Security Adviser | 6,580 ZMK | +270% |
| Security Guard | 1,770 ZMK |  -0% |
| Security Management Specialist | 8,960 ZMK | +400% |
| Security Manager | 9,250 ZMK | +420% |
| Security Officer | 2,050 ZMK | +15% |
| Security Supervisor | 5,170 ZMK | +190% |
| Security Systems Installer | 5,060 ZMK | +190% |
| Security Technician | 2,140 ZMK | +21% |
| Surveillance Operator | 2,550 ZMK | +44% |
| Traffic Controller | 3,430 ZMK | +93% |
Salary Comparison By City
| City | Average Salary |
| Lusaka | 1,940 ZMK |
Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison
Where can you get paid more, working for a private company or for the government? Public sector employees in Zambia earn 17% more than their private sector counterparts on average across all sectors.
| Private Sector | 5,580 ZMK | |
| Public Sector | +17% | 6,540 ZMK |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
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