Average Salary in Sri Lanka 2020
How much money does a person working in Sri Lanka make?
LOWEST
15,600
LKR AVERAGE
115,000
LKR HIGHEST
511,000
LKR
A person working in Sri Lanka typically earns around 115,000 LKR per month. Salaries range from 15,600 LKR (lowest) to 511,000 LKR (highest).
This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries differ drasticly between different jobs. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.
Distribution of Salaries in Sri Lanka
The median, the maximum, the minimum, and the range
Salary Range
Salaries in Sri Lanka range between 15,600 LKR per month (minimum salary) to 511,000 LKR per month (maximum salary).
Median Salary
The median salary is 117,000 LKR per month, which means that half (50%) of the population are earning less than 117,000 LKR while the other half are earning more than 117,000 LKR. 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
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 59,500 LKR while 75% of them are earning more than 59,500 LKR. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population are earning less than 320,000 LKR while 25% are earning more than 320,000 LKR.
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 plently of room for improvement. If your wage is in between the average and median, then things can be a bit confusing. We have written a guide to explain all the different senarios. How to compare your salary
Salaries for specific job categories
Choose a job category to explore specific salary details
Accounting and FinanceAdministration / Reception / SecretarialAdvertising / Grapic Design / EventsAirlines / Aviation / Aerospace / DefenseArchitectureAutomotiveBankingBilingualBusiness PlanningCare Giving and Child CareCleaning and HousekeepingConstruction / Building / InstallationCounselingCourier / Delivery / Transport / DriversCustomer Service and Call CenterElectrical and Electronics TradesEngineeringEnvironmentalExecutive and ManagementFacilities / Maintenance / RepairFactory and ManufacturingFashion and ApparelFitness / Hair / BeautyFood / Hospitality / Tourism / CateringFundraising and Non ProfitGardening / Farming / FishingGovernment and DefenceHealth and MedicalHuman ResourcesImport and ExportIndependent JobsInformation TechnologyInsuranceLaw Enforcement / Security / FireLegalMarketingMedia / Broadcasting / Arts / EntertainmentOil / Gas / Energy / MiningPet CarePharmaceutical and BiotechnologyPhotographyPublic RelationsPublishing and PrintingPurchasing and InventoryQuality Control and ComplianceReal EstateRecreation and SportsSales Retail and WholesaleScience and Technical ServicesTeaching / EducationTelecommunicationSalary Trend and Forecast in Sri Lanka
How are Sri Lanka salaries changing over time? Listed below is a chart that shows the average salary over the past few years.
| Average Salary 2016 | 103,000 LKR | |
| Average Salary 2017 | +4% | 106,000 LKR |
| Average Salary 2018 | +3% | 109,000 LKR |
| Average Salary 2019 | +2% | 111,000 LKR |
Salaries for popular jobs
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Accounting and Finance | |
| Accountant | 83,800 LKR |
| Accounting Assistant | 81,000 LKR |
| Accounting Manager | 149,000 LKR |
| Bookkeeper | 63,900 LKR |
| Chartered Accountant | 107,000 LKR |
| Corporate Treasurer | 201,000 LKR |
| Financial Analyst | 124,000 LKR |
| Financial Manager | 233,000 LKR |
| Internal Auditor | 124,000 LKR |
Administration / Reception / Secretarial | |
| Administrative Assistant | 62,700 LKR |
| Office Manager | 78,100 LKR |
| Receptionist | 63,300 LKR |
| Secretary | 62,100 LKR |
Advertising / Grapic Design / Events | |
| Art Director | 118,000 LKR |
| Creative Director | 126,000 LKR |
| Graphic Designer | 79,100 LKR |
| Photographer | 78,300 LKR |
Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense | |
| Aerospace Engineer | 129,000 LKR |
| Air Traffic Controller | 121,000 LKR |
| Flight Attendant | 97,600 LKR |
| Pilot | 137,000 LKR |
Architecture | |
| Architect | 107,000 LKR |
| CAD Drafter | 90,200 LKR |
Automotive | |
| Mechanic | 61,700 LKR |
| Service Advisor | 93,200 LKR |
Banking | |
| Bank Branch Manager | 179,000 LKR |
| Teller | 76,700 LKR |
Bilingual | |
| Teacher | 94,600 LKR |
| Translator | 107,000 LKR |
Business Planning | |
| Business Analyst | 138,000 LKR |
| Business Development Manager | 187,000 LKR |
| Project Manager | 143,000 LKR |
Care Giving and Child Care | |
| Nanny | 72,100 LKR |
| Nursery Teacher | 81,300 LKR |
Construction / Building / Installation | |
| Civil Engineer | 109,000 LKR |
| Construction Project Manager | 141,000 LKR |
| Health and Safety Officer | 76,700 LKR |
Customer Service and Call Center | |
| Call Center Representative | 81,700 LKR |
| Customer Service Manager | 162,000 LKR |
| Customer Service Representative | 86,500 LKR |
Engineering | |
| Civil Engineer | 104,000 LKR |
| Electrical Engineer | 115,000 LKR |
| Engineer | 107,000 LKR |
| Mechanical Engineer | 111,000 LKR |
Executive and Management | |
| Chief Executive Officer | 264,000 LKR |
| Chief Financial Officer | 239,000 LKR |
| General Manager | 216,000 LKR |
| Project Manager | 128,000 LKR |
Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering | |
| Chef | 97,700 LKR |
| Executive Chef | 106,000 LKR |
| Hotel Manager | 170,000 LKR |
| Receptionist | 90,000 LKR |
| Travel Agent | 98,100 LKR |
| Waiter / Waitress | 72,700 LKR |
Health and Medical | |
| Dentist | 296,000 LKR |
| Dietitian | 274,000 LKR |
| Laboratory Technician | 85,200 LKR |
| Nurse | 94,700 LKR |
Human Resources | |
| Human Resources Manager | 156,000 LKR |
| Human Resources Officer | 93,900 LKR |
Information Technology | |
| Computer Technician | 95,000 LKR |
| Database Administrator | 118,000 LKR |
| Developer / Programmer | 102,000 LKR |
| Information Technology Manager | 168,000 LKR |
| Network Engineer | 106,000 LKR |
Law Enforcement / Security / Fire | |
| Police Officer | 90,600 LKR |
Legal | |
| Attorney | 172,000 LKR |
| Legal Assistant | 85,400 LKR |
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment | |
| Journalist | 121,000 LKR |
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology | |
| Biomedical Engineer | 99,000 LKR |
| Pharmacist | 137,000 LKR |
Sales Retail and Wholesale | |
| Cashier | 68,700 LKR |
| Sales Manager | 195,000 LKR |
| Sales Representative | 73,500 LKR |
Teaching / Education | |
| Elementary School Teacher | 81,700 LKR |
| Secondary School Teacher | 98,900 LKR |
Average Hourly Wage in Sri Lanka
670 LKR per hourThe average hourly wage (pay per hour) in Sri Lanka is 670 LKR. This means that the average person in Sri Lanka earns approximatly 670 LKR for every worked hour.
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one working 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 annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximation and they are considered to the be the standard.
