Salaries in Karachi, Pakistan (2026)
Looking for salary information specific to Karachi? This page pulls together what we track across dozens of professions in the city, from entry-level roles to senior positions.
Karachi shows a wide spread in pay across the 52 roles covered here — the cross-role average lands around PKR 76,788 monthly, while DevOps Engineer professionals typically out-earn most other roles at close to PKR 176,000.
Karachi is Pakistan's largest city and primary commercial hub, which generally means higher salary offers but also a higher cost of living than most other cities.
Economy and major employers
Karachi accounts for a very large share of Pakistan's trade and tax collection. Its two ports handle most of the country's imports and exports, which supports shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs brokers, warehousing and trucking firms. The city is also the home of the central bank, the stock exchange and the head offices of most commercial banks, insurers and asset managers. Beyond finance, textiles, garments, steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and consumer goods are all produced in its industrial estates, and the city is a major hub for advertising, media and retail.
Highest-paying industries and in-demand jobs
Banking, investment, multinational FMCG, pharma, oil and gas marketing and technology companies tend to pay the best salaries. Roles in demand include accountants and financial analysts, supply chain and logistics managers, software engineers, data analysts, sales and key account managers, engineers for plants and utilities, and compliance and audit professionals. The growth of fintech and e-commerce has added demand for product, design and customer support talent, and export-oriented software houses compete for developers.
Cost of living and commuting
Karachi is large and spread out, and commuting time is a real cost. Rents vary enormously: central and coastal areas such as Clifton and DHA are expensive, while areas further out are cheaper but add travel time. Many professionals choose accommodation close to their workplace or along a bus corridor to protect their time. Electricity, water and transport costs should be considered, and companies that offer transport or fuel allowances effectively raise your real income.
Practical tips for job seekers
Network through alumni groups and professional bodies, as many senior roles are filled through referrals. Build experience at a recognised employer early, because the Karachi market rewards brand-name experience. If you are relocating, compare take-home pay against rent and transport rather than comparing headline salaries only, and consider negotiating allowances for fuel, medical cover and a provident fund.
Highest-Paying Jobs in Karachi
These are the ten best-paid professions in Karachi in our data. Technology, engineering, finance and healthcare roles usually lead, because they need scarce skills and are in demand from employers who can pay for them.
Average Salary by Career Field in Karachi
Grouping roles by field shows where the money is. The table below averages every profession we track in each category for Karachi.
| Category | Average salary / month | Roles tracked |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | PKR 111,444 | 9 |
| Engineering | PKR 98,750 | 4 |
| Finance | PKR 88,200 | 5 |
| Human Resources | PKR 86,333 | 3 |
| Marketing | PKR 81,000 | 3 |
| Healthcare | PKR 79,400 | 5 |
| Creative | PKR 69,600 | 5 |
| Sales | PKR 68,000 | 3 |
| Customer Service | PKR 58,000 | 2 |
| Education | PKR 54,250 | 4 |
| General | PKR 41,111 | 9 |
All Salaries in Karachi
| Job Title | Average Salary | Range | Demand | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DevOps Engineer | PKR 176,000/mo | PKR 114,000 – PKR 282,000 | High | DevOps Engineer salary → |
| Software Engineer | PKR 154,000/mo | PKR 100,000 – PKR 246,000 | High | Software Engineer salary → |
| HR Manager | PKR 132,000/mo | PKR 86,000 – PKR 211,000 | Medium | HR Manager salary → |
| Mobile App Developer | PKR 121,000/mo | PKR 79,000 – PKR 194,000 | High | Mobile App Developer salary → |
| General Physician | PKR 121,000/mo | PKR 79,000 – PKR 194,000 | High | General Physician salary → |
| Data Analyst | PKR 110,000/mo | PKR 72,000 – PKR 176,000 | High | Data Analyst salary → |
| Dentist | PKR 110,000/mo | PKR 72,000 – PKR 176,000 | High | Dentist salary → |
| UI/UX Designer | PKR 105,000/mo | PKR 68,000 – PKR 168,000 | Medium | UI/UX Designer salary → |
| Financial Analyst | PKR 105,000/mo | PKR 68,000 – PKR 168,000 | Medium | Financial Analyst salary → |
| Architect | PKR 105,000/mo | PKR 68,000 – PKR 168,000 | Medium | Architect salary → |
| Web Developer | PKR 99,000/mo | PKR 64,000 – PKR 158,000 | High | Web Developer salary → |
| Tax Consultant | PKR 99,000/mo | PKR 64,000 – PKR 158,000 | Medium | Tax Consultant salary → |
| Electrical Engineer | PKR 99,000/mo | PKR 64,000 – PKR 158,000 | Medium | Electrical Engineer salary → |
| Mechanical Engineer | PKR 97,000/mo | PKR 63,000 – PKR 155,000 | Medium | Mechanical Engineer salary → |
| QA / Software Test Engineer | PKR 94,000/mo | PKR 61,000 – PKR 150,000 | Medium | QA / Software Test Engineer salary → |
| Internal Auditor | PKR 94,000/mo | PKR 61,000 – PKR 150,000 | Medium | Internal Auditor salary → |
| Civil Engineer | PKR 94,000/mo | PKR 61,000 – PKR 150,000 | Medium | Civil Engineer salary → |
| Content Marketing Manager | PKR 94,000/mo | PKR 61,000 – PKR 150,000 | Medium | Content Marketing Manager salary → |
| University Lecturer | PKR 88,000/mo | PKR 57,000 – PKR 141,000 | Medium | University Lecturer salary → |
| Network Administrator | PKR 83,000/mo | PKR 54,000 – PKR 133,000 | Medium | Network Administrator salary → |
| Video Editor | PKR 77,000/mo | PKR 50,000 – PKR 123,000 | Medium | Video Editor salary → |
| Bank Officer | PKR 77,000/mo | PKR 50,000 – PKR 123,000 | Medium | Bank Officer salary → |
| Digital Marketing Executive | PKR 77,000/mo | PKR 50,000 – PKR 123,000 | High | Digital Marketing Executive salary → |
| Business Development Executive | PKR 77,000/mo | PKR 50,000 – PKR 123,000 | Medium | Business Development Executive salary → |
| Graphic Designer | PKR 72,000/mo | PKR 47,000 – PKR 115,000 | Medium | Graphic Designer salary → |
| Social Media Manager | PKR 72,000/mo | PKR 47,000 – PKR 115,000 | High | Social Media Manager salary → |
| Pharmacist | PKR 72,000/mo | PKR 47,000 – PKR 115,000 | Medium | Pharmacist salary → |
| SEO Specialist | PKR 72,000/mo | PKR 47,000 – PKR 115,000 | High | SEO Specialist salary → |
| Photographer | PKR 66,000/mo | PKR 43,000 – PKR 106,000 | Low | Photographer salary → |
| Accountant | PKR 66,000/mo | PKR 43,000 – PKR 106,000 | Medium | Accountant salary → |
| Recruiter / Talent Acquisition Specialist | PKR 66,000/mo | PKR 43,000 – PKR 106,000 | Medium | Recruiter / Talent Acquisition Specialist salary → |
| Real Estate Agent | PKR 66,000/mo | PKR 43,000 – PKR 106,000 | Medium | Real Estate Agent salary → |
| Call Center Agent (International) | PKR 66,000/mo | PKR 43,000 – PKR 106,000 | High | Call Center Agent (International) salary → |
| IT Support Specialist | PKR 61,000/mo | PKR 40,000 – PKR 98,000 | Medium | IT Support Specialist salary → |
| Content Writer | PKR 61,000/mo | PKR 40,000 – PKR 98,000 | Medium | Content Writer salary → |
| HR Executive | PKR 61,000/mo | PKR 40,000 – PKR 98,000 | Medium | HR Executive salary → |
| Sales Executive | PKR 61,000/mo | PKR 40,000 – PKR 98,000 | Medium | Sales Executive salary → |
| Staff Nurse | PKR 50,000/mo | PKR 33,000 – PKR 80,000 | High | Staff Nurse salary → |
| Customer Support Representative | PKR 50,000/mo | PKR 33,000 – PKR 80,000 | Low | Customer Support Representative salary → |
| Electrician | PKR 50,000/mo | PKR 33,000 – PKR 80,000 | Medium | Electrician salary → |
| Cook / Chef | PKR 50,000/mo | PKR 33,000 – PKR 80,000 | Medium | Cook / Chef salary → |
| School Teacher | PKR 46,000/mo | PKR 30,000 – PKR 74,000 | Medium | School Teacher salary → |
| Plumber | PKR 46,000/mo | PKR 30,000 – PKR 74,000 | Medium | Plumber salary → |
| Private Tutor | PKR 44,000/mo | PKR 29,000 – PKR 70,000 | Medium | Private Tutor salary → |
| Lab Technician | PKR 44,000/mo | PKR 29,000 – PKR 70,000 | Medium | Lab Technician salary → |
| Receptionist | PKR 42,000/mo | PKR 27,000 – PKR 67,000 | Medium | Receptionist salary → |
| Beautician | PKR 42,000/mo | PKR 27,000 – PKR 67,000 | Medium | Beautician salary → |
| Montessori Teacher | PKR 39,000/mo | PKR 25,000 – PKR 62,000 | Medium | Montessori Teacher salary → |
| Driver | PKR 39,000/mo | PKR 25,000 – PKR 62,000 | Medium | Driver salary → |
| Office Assistant | PKR 35,000/mo | PKR 23,000 – PKR 56,000 | Medium | Office Assistant salary → |
| Tailor | PKR 35,000/mo | PKR 23,000 – PKR 56,000 | Low | Tailor salary → |
| Security Guard | PKR 31,000/mo | PKR 20,000 – PKR 50,000 | Medium | Security Guard salary → |
Take-Home Pay and Minimum Wage in Karachi
At the cross-role average of PKR 76,788 a month, estimated federal income tax under the FY 2026-27 slabs is about PKR 268, which leaves roughly PKR 76,520 in take-home pay (an effective rate of 0.3%). You can test any salary in the salary tax calculator.
Karachi falls under Sindh, where the minimum wage announced for FY 2026-27 is PKR 43,000 per month for unskilled work in covered establishments. 7 of the 52 roles in our Karachi data show an average below that level. Those figures mainly describe informal, part-time, home-based or small-shop work, not lawful full-time pay at a covered employer, and they should be read with that in mind. Rates are revised in each provincial budget, so confirm the current notification with the labour department.
Karachi Compared With Other Pakistani Cities
The cross-role average in Karachi is PKR 76,788, which ranks it #1 of 12 cities. The table lets you jump to any other city's guide.
| City | Cross-role average / month | Compared with Karachi |
|---|---|---|
| Karachi | PKR 76,788 | This page |
| Islamabad | PKR 75,250 | -2% |
| Lahore | PKR 69,615 | -9% |
| Rawalpindi | PKR 62,865 | -18% |
| Sialkot | PKR 50,019 | -35% |
| Gujranwala | PKR 48,942 | -36% |
| Faisalabad | PKR 47,442 | -38% |
| Hyderabad | PKR 45,961 | -40% |
| Peshawar | PKR 45,326 | -41% |
| Multan | PKR 43,173 | -44% |
| Quetta | PKR 41,769 | -46% |
| Sargodha | PKR 40,403 | -47% |
Planning a move? Read our cost of living guide for Karachi to see what rent, food and transport actually cost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Working in Karachi
What is the average salary in Karachi?
Across the 52 professions tracked on this site for Karachi, the average monthly salary is approximately PKR 76,788. Actual pay varies significantly by profession, employer, and experience level.
What is the highest-paying job in Karachi on this site?
Among the roles we track, DevOps Engineer currently shows the highest average pay in Karachi, at around PKR 176,000 per month.
Is Karachi an expensive city to live and work in?
Karachi is Pakistan's largest city and primary commercial hub, which generally means higher salary offers but also a higher cost of living than most other cities.
How does Karachi compare to other Pakistani cities for salaries?
Pay in Karachi sits within the broader range we see across the cities tracked on this site — some cities (typically Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad) tend to pay more for most professional roles, while smaller cities generally pay less but often come with a lower cost of living.
What is the take-home salary in Karachi?
At the cross-role average of PKR 76,788 per month, estimated income tax under the FY 2026-27 slabs is about PKR 268 a month, leaving roughly PKR 76,520 (an effective rate of 0.3%). EOBI, provident fund and other deductions are not included.
What is the minimum wage in Karachi?
Karachi falls under the Sindh jurisdiction. The minimum wage announced for FY 2026-27 is PKR 43,000 per month for unskilled workers in covered establishments. Confirm the current notification with the provincial labour department, as rates are revised each budget.
Which job pays the most in Karachi?
In our data DevOps Engineer has the highest average pay in Karachi at about PKR 176,000 per month, while Security Guard is at the lower end at about PKR 31,000.
How does Karachi rank for salaries in Pakistan?
Across the 12 cities tracked here, Karachi ranks #1 by cross-role average pay. Larger metros usually pay more, but rent and transport costs also rise, so compare take-home pay against living costs.