If you plan on moving to Ghana, you probably have lots of questions about the average salary and possible job opportunities. I feel that the question of the average salary is one of the most important ones when moving to a new place. Whether you intend to work in the formal or informal sector, I recommend that you learn about your options and the salary to expect. The official currency in Ghana is the Ghanaian cedi. (GHc or GHS). It is the country’s fourth historical legal tender. Remember, as at November 2019, one Ghanaian cedi equals $0.18.
So, what is the average salary in Ghana? Currently, it is $14,538. The average amount that employees take home is $11,560. A Sales Manager earns an average of $32,679. An engineer earns an average of $20,780 and a Chartered Accountant earns an average of $18, 039.
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Are you moving to Ghana soon? You have a lot to look forward to. The country has plenty of opportunities. It does not matter whether you are a local or an expat. You can always find something that matches your skills and interests. In the article, I explain the average household income, the minimum wage, and average salaries for different professions. The article may help you determine whether Ghana is the right country for you. Keep reading to learn more.
Average Salary in Ghana
Most salaries in Ghana arrange from $1493 to $48, 841 per year. The median salary is $10,588. This means that half the population earns more than $10,588 while the other half earns less. 25% of workers in Ghana earn less than $5,477 and 75% earn more than $5,436
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The following are some of the top professions and their average salaries:
- Attorney $15,360
- Accountant $7,000
- Architect $9,485
- Elementary school teacher $7,476
- Chef $8,800
- Civil Engineer &9,863
- Teacher $8,307
The average pay per hour in Ghana is $5. Jobs are usually classified as salaried or hourly jobs with salaried jobs, the pay is constant regardless of the hours worked. With hourly jobs, employees are paid per hour.
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When converting salary into an hourly wage, you must consider the hours worked per week and available allowances.
Some of the best paying jobs in Ghana include the following;
- Fuel Handling
Fuel handling is the best paying job in Ghana. A fuel handler works where aircraft are refuelled. Even though it may not seem like the most luxurious job, it has the best salaries and incredible benefits. The annual salary of a Fuel Handler is an average of $25,900.
Even though it is a well-paying job, it has a few challenges. It is not appropriate for people who are allergic to fuel smells. It is demanding and requires lots of training.
- Shipping Supervision
If you work as a shipping supervisor, your primary job will be to supervise the delivery of goods to companies. Your job will be to ensure that the company gets all the goods they want and that all of them are offloaded. A shipping supervisor earns an average of $21,584 per year.
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- Procurement
Even though the job of procurement is competitive, it is one of the best paying jobs in Ghana. If you have qualifications that make you stand out, you can find a well-paying procurement job in one of the top organizations. The average salary of a procurement officer is $17,267.
- Account Management
Account managers are some of the best-paid professionals in Ghana. Most of them work in banks and financial institutions. The job of account managers can be challenging and it requires training. On average, an account manager in Ghana earns an average of $15,110 annually.
The biggest industries are petroleum, financial service, mining, tourism, and agriculture.
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If you are looking for employment in Ghana, you have plenty of options to find it. I realize that job-seeking trends in Ghana have changed and they continue to change over the years. However, some of the traditional techniques are still applicable.
Some of the most common ones include; networking, cold calling, using company websites, job fairs, using head hunters and recruitment agencies, and career websites.
Just like in any other job market, your chances of getting the job of your dreams increase if you use a combination of methods.
Ghana Average Household Income
Most households in Ghana live in compound houses. Most of the household income is from self-employment. The average annual expenditure per household is $1,676. The country’s total annual expenditure per household is $11,063,178.
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The costs of house insurance and mortgage are some of the highest. Ghana’s average household income is $30,578.
Minimum Wage in Ghana
The Ghanaian government has a mandated minimum wage. This means that workers can’t be paid anything below it. Employers who fail to pay the Minimum Wage can be punished by the government.
All workers in Ghana are entitled to at least 15 working days leave in any working year. The national minimum wage is $1.92.
The government specifies that employees should work five days a week and 40 hours per week.
If an employee earns a monthly wage, the minimum wage is $1.92 X 27. If an employee works extra hours, they are entitled to overtime pay. However, there are times when employees may be required to work beyond fixed hours at no extra pay. One of such times is when a life is in danger.
Ghana’s minimum wage was set by the National Tripartite Committee which is headed by the Minister for Employment & Social Welfare. It applies to everyone except Intelligence Agencies, the Prison Service, the Police Service, and the Armed Forces.
The Committee has five representatives from different social partners.
Labour inspectors work to ensure that all employers meet the minimum wage. They also ensure that employers comply with the Labor Code on matters such as safety, employee welfare, and hours of work. In case of non-compliance, employees can complain to government or trade unions. Usually, the employer has to pay a fine. The law does not specify the exact punishment for non-compliant employers.
Average Salary in Accra, Ghana
Accra is the capital city of Ghana. It covers an area of 173 square km. Its population is about 2.27 million. It is one of the most populous cities in Ghana. If you plan to move Ghana, Accra is one of the best places to live. The average salary in Accra is $15,566. The average amount that employees earn is $12,938 and the most typical salary is $5115. 8% of the population earns $47,540 or more. 12% earn $36,446 or more, and 32% earn $16,210 or more. 88% of the population earns $2,884 or more, and 98% earns $990 or more.
In Accra, the average salary of a Chartered Accountant is $18,410. A Human Resources Manager earns an average of $16,714, and an Accountant earns an average of $5,710. A doctor earns an average of $9389, and a Marketing Manager earns an average of $10,857. Some of the most popular industries in Accra include; Vodafone, Ghana Education Services, University of Ghana, Nestle, KPMG, and Ghana Health Service. If you are an expat looking to work in Ghana, you have plenty of employment options.
Accra has plenty of employment opportunities but it is also great for starting a business. The population is mostly young. This means that there is no shortage of labour. Some of the most profitable businesses to start in Accra include; technology accessories, jewellery, alcoholic drinks, construction material, beauty products, and herbal medicine. Even though there are plenty of businesses in Accra, there is a lot of room for growth. The city’s population and transport network make it ideal for business.
Cost of Living in Ghana
The cost of living in Accra is higher than in most towns in the country. Accra ranks as the 63rd out of 209 most expensive cities to live in based on the 2018 Mercer Cost of Living Survey.
Accommodation is the most expensive thing in Accra. It accounts for the biggest expenditure. As the city continues to develop, it attracts plenty of international companies and expats. You can also find great places to live on credit.
The cost of transportation in Ghana accounts for a big part of the cost of living. Transportation is mainly by tro-tros, buses, and trains. The cost of buying or renting a car can be high.
The costs of insurance and mortgage are fair. The costs of entertainment and eating out vary depending on your preference.
If you live in Accra, Ghana, you will benefit from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The cost of healthcare is generally low.
The cost of education in Accra is fair. It is easy to graduate from college without much credit. If you are an expatriate, you may need to learn the local languages. Even though the national language is English, plenty of people communicate in the local languages.
The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is $1,081.21. Outside the city centre, it may cost about $378.42. In the city centre, a three-bedroom apartment costs an average of $3,163. Outside the city centre, it costs about $1099.23.
The cost of a dozen eggs is $2.34 and the cost of a litre of milk is about $1.98. The monthly cost of internet is about $46.52 and a bottle of beer costs an average of GHS $1.08. With an average job, it is easy to live comfortably in Accra without going into debt.
Some of the most affordable places to live in Ghana include; Sunyani, Cape Coast, and Kumasi. They are cheaper than Accra but just as nice. Kumasi is Ghana’s centre of communication. Cape Coast and Sunyani are very popular with retirees. The environment is serene and there are plenty of amenities. You can always find a town in Ghana that matches your needs.
