In evaluating the average salary of a Caregiver Living in Zambia, know that caregiving is more than just a regular job we all know, it’s an everyday act of love, patience, and hard work, it’s also the act of heart. Whether it’s helping an elderly grandparent with their meals in Kalingalinga or looking after a child with special needs while the parents are away at work, caregivers quietly keep households running.
While the caregiving role comes with a lot of emotional responsibility, it’s easy to wonder, how well does it actually pay? That’s the big question most people don’t talk about. Is the salary enough to survive on, or is it just barely scraping by?
In this article, we’re diving into what an average caregiver in Zambia really earns, breaking it down in plain terms. If you’ve ever been curious about the financial side of caregiving in this part of the world, keep reading. You might be surprised by what you learn.
What’s The Average Salary Of A Caregiver Living In Zambia
To put it simply, the salary of a caregiver in Zambia really depends on where you work, who you work for, and what type of care you’re giving. Here’s a simple look at what most caregivers earn:
1. Untrained or informal caregiver: is usually ZMW 800 – ZMW 1,200 which is Just enough for rent and food
2. Live-in caregiver: Usually around ZMW 1,300 – ZMW 2,000 including Housing + meals, but long hours
3. Trained or skilled caregiver: ZMW 2,000 – ZMW 3,500 they received more respected, better conditions
4. Part-time/day-based caregiver: ZMW 25 – ZMW 60 per day, Often no job security
A lucky few, like those working with foreign families or NGOs, can earn more than ZMW 4,000/month. But that’s not the norm.
What Decides How Much a Caregiver Gets Paid?
There’s no fixed salary scale for caregivers in Zambia. Everything depends on five key things:
1. Location: Lusaka, Ndola, and other urban areas pay better than rural places.
2. Training: If you have caregiver certificates or nursing skills, you can ask for more.
3. Type of care needed: Elderly or disabled care pays more than regular babysitting.
4. Live-in and Live-out: Live-ins often get food and accommodation but may earn less in cash.
5. Your employer’s ability to pay: Some families are generous. Others just don’t have the budget or choose not to.
See Also: Visa Sponsorship jobs in Zambia for foreigners
The Reality Behind the Job
Most caregivers don’t have set working hours. In fact, many start working early in the morning and don’t stop until the household sleeps.
A typical day might look like this:
- Wake the patient and help them bathe
- Prepare breakfast and feed them
- Clean the room and wash clothes
- Give medication on time
- Carry out therapy or gentle exercise
- Watch them all day to make sure they’re okay
- Sometimes wake up in the night if they call
Now imagine doing all that for ZMW 1,000 per month. That’s less than ZMW 35 a day. For work that never really ends.
Do Trained Caregivers Earn More?
Yes, and they should. If you’ve taken even a short caregiving course, from a local NGO or health center, you already have a better chance of:
- Getting hired quickly
- Being seen as more professional
- Negotiating better pay
- Maybe even finding work abroad
Some caregivers go on to take first aid classes, home nursing training, or even geriatric care certifications. That small effort? It pays off.
Is It Enough to Live On?
If we’re being honest, most caregivers live hand to mouth. The rent in Lusaka is usually ZMW 500 – ZMW 800, Food and transport is around ZMW 400+, Medical bills, kids’ school fees, emergencies also adds up.
So, what do caregivers do?
Many start side hustles such as selling vegetables, doing hair during their off time, washing clothes for neighbors, selling secondhand clothes from Soweto market. Some even work for two families, just to make ends meet.
What About Working Abroad?
A lot of caregivers in Zambia dream of getting jobs in Dubai, Israel, or the UK and it makes sense, some overseas caregiver jobs pay ten times more than local ones. But there are risks, scammers might promise fake jobs and steal money, some end up working without contracts or passports and others are mistreated because they didn’t get proper info. If you’re thinking of leaving the country, make sure to:
- Get real training
- Use a licensed recruitment agent
- Never pay upfront without proof
- Talk to someone who’s worked abroad before
How Can Zambian Caregivers Earn More?
Here are smart, simple things any caregiver can start doing:
1. Get a certificate, even short courses matter.
2. Write your duties down: Ask for a simple written agreement.
3. Set boundaries early: Don’t let unpaid tasks sneak into your day.
4. Ask for a raise: If your role increases, your pay should too.
5: Start a mini side hustle: A small business can save your finances.
6. Keep learning: Watch free YouTube videos or read tips online.
It won’t all change overnight, but small smart steps add up.
Common Challenges Faced by Caregivers in Zambia
Being a caregiver in Zambia is not all about giving medicine or helping someone walk. It’s real, physical, and emotional work and sadly, the struggles are many. Here are some of the most common challenges that caregivers face every day:
1. Very Low Pay: Let’s start with the most obvious one, the money is not enough. Most caregivers earn less than ZMW 1,500 a month. After rent, food, and transport, there’s usually nothing left. Some can’t even afford soap, airtime, or medical care for themselves.
2. Long Working Hours: Many caregivers start working before sunrise and keep going until late at night especially live-in ones. There are no official off-days, no lunch breaks, and no one counting the hours. It’s just go, go, go.
3. No Written Contract: Most caregivers don’t have a written agreement with their employer. That means no job security, no proof of what they were promised, and no clear boundary between “work” and “extra chores.” If they’re let go suddenly, they usually get nothing.
4. Being Treated Like a Housemaid: Even when hired to care for someone elderly or sick, many caregivers are asked to do everything like sweeping, cooking, washing, babysitting, gardening, you name it. And they’re rarely paid extra for that.
5. No Respect or Recognition: Caregivers are often treated like “just helpers.” Some families don’t even learn their names. There’s very little appreciation, and some are even talked down to like children no matter their age or experience.
6. Emotional and Physical Stress: Caring for someone who is sick, disabled, or dying can be very draining. It takes a toll on your body (from lifting and walking all day) and your mind (from always being alert). Many caregivers suffer from burnout, but they keep going because they have no choice.
7. No Support System: Unlike nurses who work in hospitals with teams, most caregivers in Zambia work alone. No backup, no one to talk to when things get tough. If something goes wrong, they have to figure it out themselves.
8. Risk of Abuse or Mistreatment: Sadly, some caregivers face verbal abuse, insults, or unfair treatment from their employers. They can’t complain because they fear being fired. And since many don’t have contracts or legal support, they suffer in silence.
9. Limited Growth Opportunities: Even if a caregiver works for years, there’s usually no promotion, no bonus, no training, and no clear career path. It’s the same job, same pay, year after year unless they take it upon themselves to learn more or find a better opportunity.
10. False Promises About Working Abroad: Many caregivers are promised big jobs in Dubai, UK, or South Africa, only to be scammed by fake agents. They lose their money, time, and trust. Some even leave Zambia and end up doing hard labor instead of caregiving abroad.
How Caregivers in Zambia Can Protect Themselves Even Without a Contract
Most caregivers in Zambia work under tough conditions, low pay, no contract, long hours and in most cases, nobody is looking out for them. But even if you don’t have money, big degrees, or a lawyer, you can still protect yourself.
1. Ask for a Simple Written Agreement: You don’t need a lawyer to write a contract. A piece of paper with:
- your name
- the employer’s name
- your job duties
- working hours
- your monthly salary
- days off
This is already better than nothing. Get both of you to sign it. Keep a photo of it on your phone. That way, if you’re underpaid or dismissed unfairly, you have proof.
2. Be Clear About What You Will and Won’t Do: Before you start the job, discuss your duties clearly. Are you there to care for an old woman or also to clean the whole house? If you’re hired as a caregiver, don’t silently accept extra jobs like washing the car or babysitting four kids unless you’re being paid for it.
3. Keep Your Own Simple Records: Start a small notebook or use your phone to track:
- When you started the job
- Hours worked
- Days off
- Any major changes to your duties
- Any payment issues
It might feel small, but it’s a smart move. If problems come up later, you’ll have a timeline to back yourself up.
4. Speak Up But Respectfully: If your employer starts giving you too much work or delays payment, speak up early. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed or angry. You can say something like “Madam, when we agreed, I was caring for your father. Now I’m also cleaning the whole house. Can we talk about adjusting my salary or schedule?” Polite, but firm.
5. Take Care of Yourself Too: You can’t pour from an empty cup. Get enough sleep when possible, Eat well, Take a break when you can, If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to someone you trust because your health matters just as much as the person you’re caring for.
6. Connect With Other Caregivers: Don’t do this job in isolation. Join a WhatsApp group, local women’s circle, or church group where other caregivers share experiences. You’ll learn where the better jobs are, which families pay fairly, and how to deal with problems. Together, you’re stronger.
7. Keep Learning and Growing: Even if your job doesn’t offer training, teach yourself, you can watch YouTube videos on caregiving techniques, read caregiving tips online (many are free), take short first-aid courses from NGOs or clinics. Knowledge gives you power. The more you know, the better you can ask for more pay or apply for better jobs including abroad.
8. Be Careful With Agents Offering Foreign Jobs: Many caregivers have lost thousands of kwacha to fake job agents. Here’s how to protect yourself:
- Never pay large money upfront
- Ask for proof of company registration
- Talk to someone who has worked abroad before
- Don’t hand over your passport to strangers
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
Your dream should not become your trap.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, being a caregiver in Zambia is more than just a way to earn a living rather it’s a role that holds families together. But when we pull back the curtain, it’s clear that the pay often doesn’t match the effort. While some caregivers are fortunate enough to work with fair employers or in better-paying environments, many are still navigating low wages, long hours, and little protection. That said, awareness is growing. More families, agencies, and even government bodies are slowly waking up to the value caregivers bring. If real change is going to happen, it has to start with honest conversations like this, ones that highlight the gap between the work being done and the pay being received. Because caring for others shouldn’t mean neglecting your own well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much does a caregiver typically earn in Zambia per month?
Caregiver salaries in Zambia can vary widely depending on the location, employer, and type of work. On average, a live-in caregiver might earn anywhere from ZMW 1,000 to ZMW 2,500 per month, while those working with private households or agencies in urban areas may earn slightly more.
2. Do caregivers earn more in Lusaka than in rural areas?
Yes, generally. Caregivers working in cities like Lusaka or Ndola tend to earn higher wages compared to those in rural regions. This is mostly due to the higher cost of living in cities and more access to private employers or expat families.
3. Are live-in caregivers paid more than part-time caregivers?
Not always. While live-in caregivers receive housing and meals, their actual cash salary may be lower since the employer is covering some basic living costs. Part-time caregivers might take home more in cash but have to cover their own transport and food.
4. Is caregiver work in Zambia mostly done by women?
Yes, the majority of caregivers in Zambia are women, especially in domestic roles. However, there are also male caregivers working in institutions or with special needs patients.
5. Do caregivers in Zambia get paid overtime?
In most informal jobs, no. Many caregivers work long hours with no extra pay. However, in more formal setups like hospitals or through registered agencies, some caregivers do receive overtime or bonuses for working on weekends or public holidays.
6. Is caregiving considered a stable job in Zambia?
It depends. For some, especially those working with consistent clients or through a reliable agency, it can be fairly steady. But for many caregivers, job security is a challenge, especially when employment is on a short-term or casual basis.
7. Can caregivers negotiate their salary in Zambia?
Yes, but it’s not always easy. In informal settings, many caregivers feel pressured to accept whatever they’re offered. However, those with more experience or certifications often have more bargaining power.
8. Are there opportunities for professional growth as a caregiver in Zambia?
While the field is still growing, some caregivers do upskill through short health care courses or specialized training (e.g. elderly care, disability support), which can open doors to higher-paying roles or jobs abroad.
9. Do caregivers in Zambia receive any legal protection or benefits?
Legal protections exist in theory, but they’re not always enforced especially in informal domestic jobs. Very few caregivers have formal contracts, pensions, or access to health insurance unless employed through a registered agency or institution.
10. What’s the biggest challenge caregivers in Zambia face when it comes to salary?
The biggest issue is low pay in relation to the amount of physical and emotional labor involved. Many caregivers work long hours under pressure, yet struggle to earn enough to meet their own basic needs.
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