Farooq Awan

Pakistan’s average monthly wage for paid employees has risen to Rs39,042 in 2024-25, reflecting a notable increase compared with the previous Labour Force Survey. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has released detailed wage statistics as part of the Labour Force Survey 2024-25, documenting payment patterns, wage groups, occupational categories, provincial variations and gender-wise differences in paid employment.

According to the Labour Force Survey 2024-25 document available with Wealth Pakistan, the average monthly wage of paid employees increased from Rs24,028 in 2020-21 to Rs39,042 in 2024-25 at the national level. The survey states that male paid employees earned an average of Rs39,302 per month in 2024-25, compared with Rs24,643 in the previous survey. Female paid employees earned an average monthly wage of Rs37,347 compared to Rs20,117 in 2020-21.

The data indicate that wages increased for both men and women, with women experiencing a higher proportional rise, even though their absolute earnings remain slightly lower than those of men. The survey also records the distribution of employees by wage groups, noting how workers are spread across monthly earning brackets. The survey covers wage distribution across provinces. Provincial averages reflect differences in labour market structures and employment patterns.

Although the detailed provincial wage figures are included in the wage tables, the national-level trend of rising wages is consistent across regions. The survey further divides wage data by urban and rural areas, capturing disparities between different types of labour markets. Wage distributions show that urban employees are more concentrated in higher wage groups, while rural employees tend to be distributed more widely across lower wage categories.

The survey provides wage breakdowns by major occupational groups. Occupations include legislators, senior officials and managers; professionals; technicians and associate professionals; clerks; service workers and shop and market sales workers; skilled agricultural and fishery workers; craft and related trades workers; plant and machine operators and assemblers; and elementary occupations. Wages vary across these occupational divisions, reflecting differences in the nature of work, skill requirements and industry characteristics.

Higher wages are generally recorded in managerial, professional and technical occupations, while lower wage averages are found in elementary occupations and service roles. Wages by industry divisions are also documented in the report. Industry categories include agriculture, manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail trade, transport, storage and communication, and community, social and personal services. Wage levels differ across industries, with sectors such as manufacturing, construction and transport offering varied wage patterns based on the type of employment and skill requirements.

The survey also contains wage information for employees in the formal and informal sectors. Formal sector employees generally receive higher average wages than informal sector workers. According to the survey, wage differences between formal and informal workers are observed in both male and female categories across provinces. The Labour Force Survey includes information on the frequency of wage payments. Employees receive wages on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis, depending on the nature of employment.

Monthly payments remain the most common form of wage distribution, especially in formal employment settings. Weekly wage payments are more common in informal or daily labour roles, particularly in construction and certain service activities. The survey’s methodology ensures that wage data is collected through direct interviews with household members who provide information on employment status, occupation, industry, wages and related characteristics.  The survey is based on 53,974 household interviews conducted across 3,796 primary sampling units.

The data collection took place over four quarters from July 2024 to June 2025. Wage estimates use the 2023 census-based population projections adjusted by an annual growth rate of 2.075 percent. Wage patterns presented in the Labour Force Survey also reflect demographic characteristics of the labour force. Wage distributions vary by age group, with older workers generally receiving higher wages due to experience and occupational progression.

Younger workers tend to cluster in lower wage categories. Educational attainment also influences wage levels, with higher education associated with higher earnings. Workers with technical or vocational training often receive higher wages than those without formal training, particularly in technical and skilled occupations.

Credit: INP-WealthPk