Salary & cost guides
Staff Salaries in Islamabad & Rawalpindi
Staff in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are usually paid a fixed monthly salary that depends on the role, the hours, experience and whether the job is live-in. Cooks, nurses and accountants tend to earn more than helpers and cleaners. Compare typical ranges for every role below, then open each guide for detail.
| Role | Full-time, per month | Part-time | Live-in | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maid / Housekeeper | Rs 30,000 to 45,000 | Rs 12,000 to 25,000 | Rs 30,000 to 50,000 plus room and meals | Part-time depends on visits per week and the size of the house. |
| Cook / Chef | Rs 35,000 to 70,000 | Rs 18,000 to 35,000 | Rs 40,000 to 75,000 plus room and meals | Continental or multi-cuisine cooks sit at the top of the range. |
| Driver | Rs 35,000 to 55,000 | Rs 20,000 to 30,000 | Rs 35,000 to 55,000 plus room | Long or late hours and out-of-city trips are usually paid extra. |
| Security Guard / Watchman | Rs 32,000 to 50,000 (12-hour shift) | Not common | Watchman with a room: Rs 30,000 to 45,000 | Ex-forces or licensed armed guards usually cost more. |
| Office Boy / Helper | Rs 28,000 to 40,000 | Rs 15,000 to 22,000 | Not applicable | Lunch and travel allowances are common in offices. |
| Receptionist / Admin | Rs 35,000 to 70,000 | Rs 20,000 to 35,000 | Not applicable | English fluency and computer skills move the figure up. |
| Cleaner / Sweeper | Rs 28,000 to 40,000 | Rs 10,000 to 22,000 | Not applicable | Office and shop cleaning is often early morning or after hours. |
| Gardener (Mali) | Rs 28,000 to 42,000 | Rs 8,000 to 20,000 | Rs 30,000 to 45,000 plus room | Part-time is usually two or three visits a week. |
| Babysitter / Nanny | Rs 30,000 to 55,000 | Rs 15,000 to 30,000 | Rs 35,000 to 60,000 plus room and meals | Newborn care and twins are at the higher end. |
| Elderly / Patient Caregiver | Rs 35,000 to 60,000 | Rs 20,000 to 35,000 | Rs 40,000 to 70,000 plus room and meals | Bedridden care and night duty cost more than companionship. |
| Home Nurse | Rs 45,000 to 90,000 | Per shift, agreed case by case | Rs 50,000 to 100,000 plus room and meals | Registered nurses cost more than nursing assistants. |
| Waiter / Hospitality | Rs 28,000 to 45,000 | Rs 15,000 to 25,000 | Hostel or shared room at some employers | Tips and meals on duty vary by restaurant. |
| Warehouse / Delivery | Rs 30,000 to 50,000 | Rs 15,000 to 25,000 | Not applicable | Riders with their own motorbike usually get a fuel allowance. |
| Electrician / Plumber / Handyman | Rs 35,000 to 65,000 | Per visit or per job | Not applicable | One-off jobs are priced by the work, not by the month. |
| Sales / Marketing | Rs 35,000 to 80,000 plus commission | Rs 20,000 to 35,000 | Not applicable | Commission plans change take-home pay a lot. |
| Accounts / Finance | Rs 40,000 to 100,000 | Rs 25,000 to 45,000 | Not applicable | Qualified accountants and software skills sit at the top. |
| Teacher / Home Tutor | Rs 30,000 to 65,000 | Rs 10,000 to 30,000 per child per month | Not applicable | O and A Level subjects are priced higher than primary classes. |
These are typical monthly ranges in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, given as a starting point for a conversation. They are not a quote, a promise or a fixed rate. Pay is agreed between the employer and the worker, and it should never be below the minimum wage notified by the government for your area. Last checked: October 2026.
Salary guide for each role
- How much does a maid cost?
- How much does a cook cost?
- How much does a driver cost?
- How much does a security guard cost?
- How much does an office boy cost?
- How much does a receptionist cost?
- How much does a cleaner cost?
- How much does a gardener cost?
- How much does a nanny cost?
- How much does a caregiver cost?
- How much does a home nurse cost?
- How much does a waiter cost?
- How much does a warehouse or delivery worker cost?
- How much does an electrician or plumber cost?
- How much does a sales executive cost?
- How much does an accountant cost?
- How much does a home tutor cost?
Staff salary questions
As a rough guide, a full-time maid is typically Rs 30,000 to 45,000 a month, a cook Rs 35,000 to 70,000 and a driver Rs 35,000 to 55,000. Live-in staff also need a room and meals. These are typical market ranges to plan with; agree the final figure with the person you hire.
Often slightly, but the gap is smaller than many people think, and it depends more on the house, the hours and the duties than on the city. Large homes in DHA or Bahria Town pay similar amounts in both cities. Travel distance also matters, because long commutes push staff towards closer jobs.
Usually not. In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, part-time domestic staff are normally paid a fixed monthly amount for agreed days and hours, such as three hours each morning, six days a week. Trades like electricians and painters are the exception, and are usually paid per job.
Most families give Eidi at Eid and discuss an increase each year. Live-in staff need a decent room, bedding and three meals a day. Drivers need fuel and trip allowances paid by the owner. Offices often add lunch, travel allowance and social security registration where it applies.
They are typical ranges we use as a starting point in conversations with families and employers in the twin cities, last checked October 2026. They are not a quote or a promise, and actual pay is always agreed between the employer and the worker.
Plan the rest of your hire
- Part-time vs Full-time Staff: Which Do You Need?Compare cost, hours, reliability and fit, with a role-by-role table and a simple way to decide.
- Live-in Staff: A Guide for FamiliesThe room, meals, working hours and rest, days off, salary, visitors, phones and the boundaries that keep it working.
- Household Staff Contract BasicsWhat a one-page agreement with household staff should cover, in plain language both sides can sign.
- All hiring guidesStep-by-step guides for every common role.
- Request staffTell us the role, area and hours, and we will call you back.
- Looking for work?Jobs by role across Islamabad and Rawalpindi.