Driver Salary in Pakistan (2026)
Operates vehicles to transport people or goods for a company or individual.
- National average: PKR 27,250 per month across 12 cities.
- Highest-paying city: Karachi (PKR 39,000).
- Lowest-paying city: Sargodha (PKR 20,000).
- Full range: PKR 15,000 to PKR 62,000 per month.
- Take-home at the average: about PKR 27,250 per month after FY 2026-27 income tax.
Pay for a Driver in Pakistan depends heavily on where you work. The same role earns about 95% more in Karachi than in Sargodha, and experience, employer type and skills widen the gap further. This page brings together city-by-city pay, take-home after tax, the skills employers look for and the career path, so you can benchmark an offer or plan your next move.
What does a Driver do?
A driver transports staff, executives, families or goods safely and on time. Roles include personal or family drivers, company drivers, delivery and logistics drivers, and ride-hailing partners. Duties include vehicle checks, route planning, basic maintenance and punctuality, and some drivers also handle errands.
Skills, tools and qualifications
A valid driving licence, good road sense, knowledge of city routes and a clean record are essential. Reliability, courtesy and basic vehicle maintenance knowledge are valued, as is the ability to use navigation apps. Heavy and commercial vehicles require the appropriate licence category.
Career path and promotion
Drivers can progress to chauffeur for executives, fleet supervisor or transport coordinator, or become owner-operators of their own vehicles in ride-hailing and logistics. Overseas driving jobs in the Gulf are also an option.
What drives Driver pay?
Pay depends on whether you work for a household, company or yourself, plus hours and fuel arrangements. Heavy vehicle licences, executive driving and reliable long-term employers pay best. Ride-hailing income varies with hours, fuel costs and commission.
How to become a Driver in Pakistan
- Learn the trade through a technical institute, a recognised training programme or an apprenticeship with an experienced worker.
- Practise until your work is neat, safe and consistent, and keep your tools in good order.
- Get a trade certificate or licence where relevant, since it raises trust and pay.
- Find work through agencies, contractors, referrals and local networks, and agree pay and hours clearly in advance.
- Build a reputation for reliability and good behaviour so customers recommend you.
- Aim for supervisory work or your own small business, or consider certified overseas opportunities.
Common interview questions for Driver roles
- What experience do you have in this trade?
- How do you make sure your work is safe and meets standards?
- How do you handle a customer who is unhappy with the result?
- Are you comfortable with the working hours and shifts?
- Can you give a reference from a previous employer or customer?
Driver Salary by City
| City | Average Salary | Range | Demand | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karachi | PKR 39,000/mo | PKR 25,000 – PKR 62,000 | Medium | Driver salary in Karachi → |
| Islamabad | PKR 38,000/mo | PKR 25,000 – PKR 61,000 | Medium | Driver salary in Islamabad → |
| Lahore | PKR 35,000/mo | PKR 23,000 – PKR 56,000 | Medium | Driver salary in Lahore → |
| Rawalpindi | PKR 32,000/mo | PKR 21,000 – PKR 51,000 | Medium | Driver salary in Rawalpindi → |
| Sialkot | PKR 25,000/mo | PKR 16,000 – PKR 40,000 | Medium | Driver salary in Sialkot → |
| Gujranwala | PKR 25,000/mo | PKR 16,000 – PKR 40,000 | Medium | Driver salary in Gujranwala → |
| Faisalabad | PKR 24,000/mo | PKR 16,000 – PKR 38,000 | Medium | Driver salary in Faisalabad → |
| Peshawar | PKR 23,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 37,000 | Medium | Driver salary in Peshawar → |
| Hyderabad | PKR 23,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 37,000 | Medium | Driver salary in Hyderabad → |
| Multan | PKR 22,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 35,000 | Medium | Driver salary in Multan → |
| Quetta | PKR 21,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 34,000 | Medium | Driver salary in Quetta → |
| Sargodha | PKR 20,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 32,000 | Medium | Driver salary in Sargodha → |
Take-Home Pay: What a Driver Actually Receives
Income tax for salaried people is withheld monthly. Under the FY 2026-27 slabs, the first Rs 600,000 a year is tax-free, then rates climb from 1% to 35%. The table converts the national average, the lowest city average and the highest city average into estimated monthly take-home pay.
| Scenario | Gross / month | Tax / month | Take-home / month | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National average | PKR 27,250 | PKR 0 | PKR 27,250 | 0.0% |
| Lowest city average (Sargodha) | PKR 20,000 | PKR 0 | PKR 20,000 | 0.0% |
| Highest city average (Karachi) | PKR 39,000 | PKR 0 | PKR 39,000 | 0.0% |
Try your own figure in the salary tax calculator. It also shows how much the 2026-27 slabs save compared with last year.
General Careers: What Employers Pay For
General and skilled-trade occupations, from drivers and security guards to electricians, plumbers, tailors, cooks and beauticians, employ a very large share of Pakistan's workers. Many work informally, so earnings vary widely by employer, city and individual skill, and some reported figures fall below the legal minimum wage.
What employers pay for
Reliability, trade skill and reputation. Certified or well-known tradespeople earn far more than casual workers, and specialised skills such as solar installation, bridal makeup, industrial electrical work or executive driving are rewarded. Employers covered by minimum wage law must pay at least the notified rate for full-time unskilled work in their province.
How to negotiate
Agree pay, hours, overtime, leave and any allowances clearly, ideally in writing. Ask for payment on time and keep a record of attendance. Skilled workers can improve their position by getting a recognised trade certificate and building a reputation through references and repeat customers.
Where growth comes from
Upgrade your skill through technical training (such as DAE or trade certificates), learn to use modern tools and customer-facing apps, and aim for supervisory or self-employed roles. Many tradespeople move from wages to running their own service business, and overseas jobs in the Gulf offer higher pay for certified workers.
Related General Salaries
If you are comparing paths within general, these related roles show where Driver sits against its peers, using the national average across the cities we track.
| Role | National average / month | Compared with Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | PKR 35,000 | +28% |
| Cook / Chef | PKR 35,000 | +28% |
| Plumber | PKR 32,416 | +19% |
| Receptionist | PKR 29,500 | +8% |
| Beautician | PKR 29,500 | +8% |
| Office Assistant | PKR 24,833 | -9% |
| Tailor | PKR 24,833 | -9% |
| Security Guard | PKR 21,583 | -21% |
Frequently Asked Questions About Driver Salaries
What is the average Driver salary in Pakistan?
Across the 12 cities we track, the average Driver salary is about PKR 27,250 per month. The typical range runs from PKR 15,000 at the low end to PKR 62,000 for experienced professionals, depending on city, employer and skills.
Which city pays the highest Driver salary?
Karachi pays the most in our data at about PKR 39,000 per month, while Sargodha is lowest at about PKR 20,000. That is a gap of roughly 95%, driven by employer concentration and cost of living.
What is the take-home salary of a Driver in Pakistan?
At the national average of PKR 27,250 per month, estimated federal income tax under the FY 2026-27 slabs is about PKR 0 a month, leaving roughly PKR 27,250 in take-home pay (an effective tax rate of 0.0%). EOBI, provident fund and other deductions are extra.
How much does an entry-level Driver earn?
Entry-level Driver professionals typically start near the bottom of the local range, often between PKR 15,000 and a little under the city average, with the exact figure depending on the city, the employer's size and the skills you bring at hiring.
Is Driver a well-paid career in Pakistan?
Compared with the General category, Driver pays in line with its peer group. Whether it is well paid for you depends on your city, your experience and whether you can move into higher-value skills or leadership.
Where can I find Driver jobs in Pakistan?
Start with the large job boards, company career pages and LinkedIn, and use the city salary pages here to check whether an offer is competitive. Smaller cities often advertise through local networks and referrals, so building contacts in your industry matters.
Do Driver salaries change with experience?
Yes, and by a lot. Pay usually rises in stages: entry level, then mid-level at roughly three to six years, then senior roles from about seven years. Specialisation, certifications and leadership responsibility add further steps above the experience curve.
How reliable are these salary figures?
They are estimates compiled from general market observation and updated periodically, not an official survey. Use them as a benchmark when negotiating and compare against current job adverts and offers in your city.