Lesotho
+186%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2024)
Graduate jobs and salaries in Botswana
Updated Data years: 2024 How we use data
Quick answer
In Botswana, employees with tertiary education earned a median of BWP 10,000 a month in 2024 (PPP$ 1,882) — +300% compared with all employees. Their unemployment rate was 18.0%, against 20.8% for all adults aged 25 and over (2024).
Sources: ILOSTAT (ILO)
- +300%degree premium: tertiary-educated vs all employees (2024)
- BWP 10,000median monthly pay with tertiary education (2024)
- 18.0%unemployment, tertiary-educated adults 25+ (all adults: 20.8%, 2024)
- 50.8%unemployment, tertiary-educated 15–24 year olds (2024)
Do graduates earn more in Botswana?
| Education level | Local currency a month | PPP$ a month | vs all employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than basic education | BWP 1,000 | 188 | -60% |
| Basic education | BWP 1,500 | 282 | -40% |
| Intermediate education | BWP 2,000 | 376 | -20% |
| Advanced (tertiary) education | BWP 10,000 | 1,882 | +300% |
| Short-cycle tertiary | BWP 6,300 | 1,186 | +152% |
| Bachelor's or equivalent | BWP 15,000 | 2,823 | +499% |
| Master's or equivalent | BWP 22,664 | 4,266 | +806% |
| All levels | BWP 2,500 | 471 | — |
The degree premium ranks 7 of 128 countries with data. That is above the Sub-Saharan Africa median of +151%.
Earnings over time (PPP$ a month)
Advanced (tertiary) educationAll levels
PPP$ values are in current international dollars, so part of the rise reflects inflation.
Which occupations pay the most in Botswana?
Median monthly earnings by occupation group in 2024, from highest to lowest. Examples link to our career profiles.
| Occupation group | Local currency a month | PPP$ a month | vs all employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professionals Software developer, Web developer, Data scientist, Data analyst | BWP 18,000 | 3,388 | +619% |
| Managers Construction manager, Marketing manager, Project manager, Supply chain manager | BWP 11,137 | 2,096 | +345% |
| Technicians and associate professionals IT support technician, Paramedic, Biomedical scientist, Paralegal | BWP 10,144 | 1,909 | +305% |
| Plant and machine operators and assemblers | BWP 3,454 | 650 | +38% |
| Clerical support workers | BWP 3,200 | 602 | +28% |
| Craft and related trades workers | BWP 3,000 | 565 | +20% |
| Service and sales workers Police officer | BWP 2,500 | 471 | 0% |
| Elementary occupations | BWP 1,300 | 245 | -48% |
| All occupations | BWP 2,500 | 471 | — |
Are graduates less likely to be unemployed in Botswana?
| Education level | Adults 25+ | Young people 15–24 |
|---|---|---|
| Less than basic education | 13.6% | — |
| Basic education | 22.5% | 44.9% |
| Intermediate education | 24.5% | 44.6% |
| Advanced (tertiary) education | 18.0% | 50.8% |
| All levels | 20.8% | 45.2% |
Unemployment among tertiary-educated adults is the 124 lowest of 130 countries with data. The Sub-Saharan Africa median is 8.3%.
Unemployment over time, adults 25+
Advanced (tertiary) educationAll levels
Studying and working in Botswana
Rules on student visas, work after graduation and recognition of qualifications change often. Use the official sources below and check the date on any advice you read.
Guide: how to choose a country to study in · Guide: getting your degree recognised abroad
Country context
- Population
- 2.6M (2025)
- GDP per person (PPP)
- $20,698 (2025)
- Tertiary enrolment (gross)
- 21.4% (2024)
Questions about graduate jobs in Botswana
Do graduates earn more than non-graduates in Botswana?
According to the International Labour Organization, employees in Botswana with tertiary education earned a median of BWP 10,000 a month in 2024, compared with BWP 2,500 for all employees — +300%. The degree premium ranks 7 of 128 countries with data.
What is the unemployment rate for graduates in Botswana?
In 2024, the unemployment rate for adults aged 25 and over with tertiary education in Botswana was 18.0%, compared with 20.8% for all adults. Among young people aged 15–24 with tertiary education it was 50.8%.
Which jobs pay the most in Botswana?
The best-paid occupation group in Botswana in 2024 was “Professionals”, with median monthly earnings of BWP 18,000 (PPP$ 3,388). Professionals, the group that includes most graduate careers, earned a median of BWP 18,000.
Compare with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
-
-
Gambia
+54%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2018) -
Guinea-Bissau
+117%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2022) -
Namibia
+507%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2018) -
Equatorial Guinea
+77%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2023) -
Eswatini
+303%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2021)
Sources
- ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by education — HS - Multi-Topic Household Survey, 2024
- ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — HS - Multi-Topic Household Survey, 2024
- ILOSTAT — Unemployment rate by age and education — HS - Multi-Topic Household Survey, 2024
- World Bank — World Development Indicators — Population, GDP per person (PPP) and tertiary enrolment
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). Botswana: graduate salaries, jobs and unemployment. https://coursetojob.com/countries/botswana/ (accessed September 26, 2026)
Notes from the data source
- Unemployment definition: Two criteria (not in employment and seeking)