Ethiopia
+72%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2021)
Graduate jobs and salaries in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Updated Data years: 2016, 2020 How we use data
Older data (2016) The latest official figure is from 2016. It may not reflect today's labour market.
Quick answer
In Democratic Republic of the Congo, employees with tertiary education earned a median of CDF 148,800 a month in 2016 (PPP$ 303) — +66% compared with all employees. Their unemployment rate was 5.1%, against 1.4% for all adults aged 25 and over (2020).
Sources: ILOSTAT (ILO)
- +66%degree premium: tertiary-educated vs all employees (2016)
- CDF 148,800median monthly pay with tertiary education (2016)
- 5.1%unemployment, tertiary-educated adults 25+ (all adults: 1.4%, 2020)
Do graduates earn more in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
| Education level | Local currency a month | PPP$ a month | vs all employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic education | CDF 36,735 | 75 | -59% |
| Intermediate education | CDF 80,000 | 163 | -11% |
| Advanced (tertiary) education | CDF 148,800 | 303 | +66% |
| All levels | CDF 90,000 | 183 | — |
The degree premium ranks 51 of 128 countries with data. That is below the Sub-Saharan Africa median of +151%.
Which occupations pay the most in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Median monthly earnings by occupation group in 2016, 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 | CDF 150,000 | 306 | +67% |
| Clerical support workers | CDF 141,499 | 288 | +57% |
| Managers Construction manager, Marketing manager, Project manager, Supply chain manager | CDF 117,000 | 238 | +30% |
| Craft and related trades workers | CDF 92,447 | 188 | +3% |
| Plant and machine operators and assemblers | CDF 91,888 | 187 | +2% |
| Technicians and associate professionals IT support technician, Paramedic, Biomedical scientist, Paralegal | CDF 90,000 | 183 | 0% |
| Service and sales workers Police officer | CDF 90,000 | 183 | 0% |
| Elementary occupations | CDF 46,500 | 95 | -48% |
| Skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers | CDF 19,917 | 41 | -78% |
| All occupations | CDF 90,000 | 183 | — |
Are graduates less likely to be unemployed in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
| Education level | Adults 25+ | Young people 15–24 |
|---|---|---|
| Less than basic education | 0.3% | — |
| Basic education | 1.5% | 1.9% |
| Advanced (tertiary) education | 5.1% | — |
| All levels | 1.4% | 1.7% |
Unemployment among tertiary-educated adults is the 75 lowest of 130 countries with data. The Sub-Saharan Africa median is 8.3%.
Studying and working in Democratic Republic of the Congo
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
- 112.8M (2025)
- GDP per person (PPP)
- $1,920 (2025)
- Tertiary enrolment (gross)
- 6.4% (2020)
Questions about graduate jobs in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Do graduates earn more than non-graduates in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
According to the International Labour Organization, employees in Democratic Republic of the Congo with tertiary education earned a median of CDF 148,800 a month in 2016, compared with CDF 90,000 for all employees — +66%. The degree premium ranks 51 of 128 countries with data.
What is the unemployment rate for graduates in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
In 2020, the unemployment rate for adults aged 25 and over with tertiary education in Democratic Republic of the Congo was 5.1%, compared with 1.4% for all adults.
Which jobs pay the most in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The best-paid occupation group in Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2016 was “Professionals”, with median monthly earnings of CDF 150,000 (PPP$ 306). Professionals, the group that includes most graduate careers, earned a median of CDF 150,000.
Compare with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
Compare Democratic Republic of the Congo side by side
-
-
Tanzania
+219%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2025) -
South Africa
+96%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2020) -
Kenya
+617%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2019) -
Nigeria
+36%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2024) -
Sudan
-3%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2022)
Sources
- ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by education — HS - Core Welfare Indicators Questionnaire, 2016
- ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — HS - Core Welfare Indicators Questionnaire, 2016
- ILOSTAT — Unemployment rate by age and education — HIES - Indicator Cluster Survey, 2020
- World Bank — World Development Indicators — Population, GDP per person (PPP) and tertiary enrolment
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). Graduate jobs and salaries in Democratic Republic of the Congo. https://coursetojob.com/countries/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/ (accessed September 26, 2026)
Notes from the data source
- Geographical coverage: Main cities or metropolitan areas