Hazard pay consists of additional funds paid to government employees or military members who perform their jobs under hazardous conditions. How hazardous pay is determined usually depends on the nation for which they work. For instance, the United Nations (UN) offers additional funds to international workers that are required to remain working in areas the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) has defined as dangerous. Hazards include events such as local hostile actions, civil war, or international war. The pay that each employee or military member receives typically depends on the person's rank and location.

It is important to note that military members who work in a country that is experiencing political or military turmoil will only receive hazard pay if they work in the specific location deemed dangerous. For example, many people might work in Algeria. The ICSC, however, might only approve pay for people working in a particular city in Algeria, such as Algiers.

Military members can also receive extra pay for performing certain dangerous duties. For instance, a parachutist might be paid extra because jumping out of planes is dangerous. Similarly, people who defuse bombs or mines might also be eligible for extra pay. Military members assigned to a temporary assignment might receive payment for the duration of the mission, as well.

Another type of hazard pay consists of funds provided to people whose jobs are not related to the dangers of combat. Instead, these jobs simply consist of dangerous activities. Constructing skyscrapers, for instance, requires workers to climb great heights, so construction workers might receive hazard pay. Pilots engaged in rescue activities or firefighters battling dangerous fires might also receive hazard pay.

Payment amounts of hazard pay vary. For example, a civil servant might receive $150 US Dollars (USD) to $240 USD per month. The total amount typically depends on his or her rank. International employees serving in Afghanistan might receive as much as $2,000 (USD) extra per month. Native Afghanistan employees, however, might only receive $350 (USD) per month.