Average Salary in Kathmandu 2023
How much money does a person working in Kathmandu make?
LOW
22,000
NPR AVERAGE
86,900
NPR HIGH
388,000
NPR
A person working in Kathmandu typically earns around 86,900 NPR per month. Salaries range from 22,000 NPR (lowest average) to 388,000 NPR (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.
Pay Scale and Salaries in Kathmandu
Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison
165,000 NPR or more
129,000 to 165,000 NPR
50,300 NPR or less
50,300 to 129,000 NPR
 22,000 NPR |
75,700 NPR |
388,000 NPR |
Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range
Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary
Salaries in Kathmandu range from 22,000 NPR per month (starting salary) to 388,000 NPR per month (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.
Median Salary
The median salary is 75,700 NPR per month, which means that half (50%) of the population are earning less than 75,700 NPR while the other half are earning more than 75,700 NPR. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Percentiles and Salary Scale
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population are earning less than 54,600 NPR while 75% of them are earning more than 54,600 NPR. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population are earning less than 115,000 NPR while 25% are earning more than 115,000 NPR.
Pay Scale Structure
We grouped the most common and recurring salaries into brackets to give more insight into what salary to expect. This method is more accurate than just the average salary and gives more insights on how salaries are actually distributed. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 50,300 NPR to 129,000 NPR. Approximatly 20% fall under the 50,300 NPR cap. Ten percent of wages are from 129,000 NPR to 165,000 NPR. Only 5% of people grossed 165,000 NPR or more.
Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does a person's salary progress over time?
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher the wage.
Generally speaking, employees having experience from two to five years earn on average 32% more than freshers and juniors across all industries and disciplines.
Professionals with experience of more than five years tend to earn on average 36% more than those with five years or less of work experience.
As you hit the ten years mark, the salary increases by 21% and an additional 14% for those who have crossed the 15 years mark.
Those figures are presented as guidelines only. The numbers become more significant if you consider one job title at a time.
Salary Comparison By Education
How does the education level affect your salary?
It is well known that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We compared the salaries of professionals at the same level but with different college degrees levels across many jobs, below are our findings.
Workers with a certificate or diploma earn on average 17% more than their peers who only reached the high school level.
Employees who earned a Bachelor's Degree earn 24% more than those who only managed to attain a cerificate or diploma.
Professionals who attained a Master's Degree are awarded salaries that are 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.
Finally, PhD holders earn 23% more than Master's Degree holders on average while doing the same job.
Is a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Should you pursue higher education?
A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in Nepal costs anywhere from 404,000 Nepalese Rupee(s) to 1,210,000 Nepalese Rupee(s) and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.
You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.
Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch into a higher paying job. The numbers seem to support this tactic. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.
The decision really depends on your situation and experience among many other factors. Putting all variables aside, if you can afford the costs of higher education then the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.
Salary and Compensation Comparison By Gender
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male employees in Nepal earn 7% more than their female counterparts on avergae across all sectors.
| Male | 84,400 NPR | |
| Female | -7% | 78,700 NPR |
Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Nepal
How much are annual salary increments in Nepal? How often do employees get salary raises?
Nepal
Employees in Nepal are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 4% every 29 months.
The term 'Annual Salary Increase' usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rarely that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
How to calculate the salary increment percentage?
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 ÷ Increase Frequency
Annual Increment Rate By Industry 2022
| Banking | 7% | |
| Energy | 5% | |
| Information Technology | 3% | |
| Healthcare | 1% | |
| Travel | 8% | |
| Construction | 6% | |
| Education | 4% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in Nepal for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
Average Salary Increase Rate by Experience Level
| Junoir Level | 3% - 5% | |
| Mid-Career | 6% - 9% | |
| Senior Level | 10% - 15% | |
| Top Management | 15% - 20% |
The difference in increment rates is somehow justified because employers put more effort to retain more experienced staff since they are harder to acquire than less experienced ones.
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
Salary Packages and Schemes
Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.
Bonus and Incentive Rates in Nepal
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
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63% of surveyed staff in Nepal reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 37% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 6% of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | 37% | |
| No Bonus | 63% |
Types of Bonuses Considered
Individual Performance-Based BonusesThe most standard form of bonus where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
Bonuses Are Not Commissions!
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
Bonus Rates Comparison by Career Field
| Finance | High | |
| Architecture | High | |
| Sales | High | |
| Business Development | High | |
| Marketing / Advertising | High | |
| Information Technology | Moderate | |
| Healthcare | Moderate | |
| Insurance | Moderate | |
| Customer Service | Moderate | |
| Human Resources | Moderate | |
| Construction | Low | |
| Transport | Low | |
| Hospitality | Low |
What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?
The main two types of jobs | |
| Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Salary Trend and Forecast in Nepal
How are Nepal salaries changing over time? The chart below shows the average salary change in the past few years.
| Average Salary 2019 | 73,600 NPR | |
| Average Salary 2020 | +2% | 75,000 NPR |
| Average Salary 2021 | +1% | 75,900 NPR |
| Average Salary 2022 | +3% | 78,500 NPR |
Salaries in Nepal are on the rise in the year 2023 based on recent submitted salaries and reports. As displayed in the chart, salaries in 2022 are 3% higher than those of 2021. The trend suggests a slow yet continuous increase in pay in 2024 and future years. These numbers may vary from industry to another.
Salaries for popular jobs. Salaries by occupations.
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Accounting and Finance | |
| Accountant | 60,100 NPR |
| Accounting Assistant | 48,500 NPR |
| Accounting Manager | 129,000 NPR |
| Bookkeeper | 40,500 NPR |
| Chartered Accountant | 76,800 NPR |
| Corporate Treasurer | 121,000 NPR |
| Financial Analyst | 117,000 NPR |
| Financial Manager | 167,000 NPR |
| Internal Auditor | 85,700 NPR |
Administration / Reception / Secretarial | |
| Administrative Assistant | 48,000 NPR |
| Office Manager | 78,900 NPR |
| Receptionist | 34,300 NPR |
| Secretary | 37,600 NPR |
Advertising / Grapic Design / Events | |
| Art Director | 88,000 NPR |
| Creative Director | 88,900 NPR |
| Graphic Designer | 53,800 NPR |
| Photographer | 50,300 NPR |
Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense | |
| Aerospace Engineer | 113,000 NPR |
| Air Traffic Controller | 100,000 NPR |
| Flight Attendant | 60,700 NPR |
| Pilot | 144,000 NPR |
Architecture | |
| Architect | 109,000 NPR |
| CAD Drafter | 42,600 NPR |
Automotive | |
| Mechanic | 33,700 NPR |
| Service Advisor | 59,500 NPR |
Banking | |
| Bank Branch Manager | 152,000 NPR |
| Teller | 34,000 NPR |
Bilingual | |
| Teacher | 69,800 NPR |
| Translator | 76,800 NPR |
Business Planning | |
| Business Analyst | 107,000 NPR |
| Business Development Manager | 141,000 NPR |
| Project Manager | 102,000 NPR |
Care Giving and Child Care | |
| Nanny | 35,100 NPR |
| Nursery Teacher | 33,300 NPR |
Construction / Building / Installation | |
| Civil Engineer | 82,900 NPR |
| Construction Project Manager | 148,000 NPR |
| Health and Safety Officer | 37,600 NPR |
Customer Service and Call Center | |
| Call Center Representative | 33,300 NPR |
| Customer Service Manager | 116,000 NPR |
| Customer Service Representative | 33,300 NPR |
Engineering | |
| Electrical Engineer | 87,500 NPR |
| Engineer | 80,900 NPR |
| Mechanical Engineer | 85,700 NPR |
Executive and Management | |
| Chief Executive Officer | 202,000 NPR |
| Chief Financial Officer | 188,000 NPR |
| General Manager | 151,000 NPR |
Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering | |
| Chef | 52,000 NPR |
| Executive Chef | 64,000 NPR |
| Hotel Manager | 158,000 NPR |
| Travel Agent | 57,100 NPR |
| Waiter / Waitress | 26,600 NPR |
Health and Medical | |
| Dentist | 203,000 NPR |
| Dietitian | 170,000 NPR |
| Laboratory Technician | 68,000 NPR |
| Nurse | 68,600 NPR |
Human Resources | |
| Human Resources Manager | 129,000 NPR |
| Human Resources Officer | 52,800 NPR |
Information Technology | |
| Computer Technician | 68,400 NPR |
| Database Administrator | 90,400 NPR |
| Developer / Programmer | 89,200 NPR |
| Information Technology Manager | 144,000 NPR |
| Network Engineer | 75,900 NPR |
Law Enforcement / Security / Fire | |
| Police Officer | 51,200 NPR |
Legal | |
| Attorney | 178,000 NPR |
| Legal Assistant | 44,800 NPR |
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment | |
| Journalist | 101,000 NPR |
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology | |
| Biomedical Engineer | 75,600 NPR |
| Pharmacist | 117,000 NPR |
Sales Retail and Wholesale | |
| Cashier | 33,700 NPR |
| Sales Manager | 147,000 NPR |
| Sales Representative | 57,200 NPR |
Teaching / Education | |
| Elementary School Teacher | 61,100 NPR |
| Secondary School Teacher | 74,400 NPR |
Average Hourly Wage in Kathmandu
500 NPR per hourThe average hourly wage (pay per hour) in Kathmandu is 500 NPR. This means that the average person in Kathmandu earns approximately 500 NPR for every worked hour.
About The Hourly Pay Rate
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
What is the minimum hourly rate of pay?
This minimum pay rate per hour for a person in Kathmandu is 130 NPR. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Kathmandu VS Nepal
Salary Comparison By City
| City | Average Salary |
| Kathmandu | 86,900 NPR |
| Pokhara | 80,700 NPR |
Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison
Where can you get paid more, working for a private company or for the government? Public sector employees in Nepal earn 10% more than their private sector counterparts on average across all sectors.
| Private Sector | 78,300 NPR | |
| Public Sector | +10% | 86,400 NPR |
Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide
What is considered to be a good and competitive salary in Kathmandu?
It is extremely difficult to give an exact figure of a good salary when no specific job is selected, however; an estimate can be provided based purely on the cost of living. A good compensation in Kathmandu would range anywhere between 75,700 NPR and 115,000 NPR.
Gross Salary (before tax) and Net Salary (after tax)
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salart after tax for every career.
Base / Basic Salary
The base salary in Kathmandu is ranges from 54,600 NPR to 115,000 NPR. The base salary depends on many factors including profession, experience, and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range in a grain of salt.
What is the difference between the median and the average salary?
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
