A person working in Sri Lanka typically earns around 90,100 LKR. Salaries range from 22,700 LKR (lowest average) to 401,000 LKR (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in Sri Lanka vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.
![]() 22,700 LKR |
![]() 80,800 LKR |
![]() 401,000 LKR |
Salaries in Sri Lanka range from 22,700 LKR (starting salary) to 401,000 LKR (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.
The median salary is 80,800 LKR, which means that 50% of the population in Sri Lanka earns less than that while the other half earns more. 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.
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population in Sri Lanka earn less than 58,300 LKR while 75% of them earn more. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population earn less than 122,000 LKR while 25% earn more than that.
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 into how salaries are actually distributed in Sri Lanka. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 53,500 LKR to 137,000 LKR. Approximately 20% fall under the 53,500 LKR cap. Ten percent of wages are from 137,000 LKR to 176,000 LKR. Only 5% of people grossed 176,000 LKR or more.
Salary is primarily determined by the level of experience one possesses, with higher levels of experience resulting in higher wages.
In Sri Lanka, employees with two to five years of experience typically earn an average of 32% more than entry-level and junior workers in all industries and fields.
Individuals with more than five years of experience tend to earn an average of 36% more than those with less than five years of experience.
After ten years of work, salaries increase by 21%, with an additional 14% increase for those who have worked for over 15 years.
These figures should be used as rough estimates, as considering individual job titles can lead to more accurate assessments.
The correlation between higher education and higher salary is widely acknowledged, but how much of an income increase can one expect from obtaining a degree?
We conducted a study in Sri Lanka comparing the salaries of professionals with different levels of college degrees who held similar positions in various industries.
Our results showed that individuals with a certificate or diploma earned an average of 17% more than those who only completed high school.
Those who obtained a Bachelor's Degree earned 24% more than their counterparts with a certificate or diploma.
Professionals with a Master's Degree earned 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.
Finally, those who held a PhD earned an average of 23% more than those with a Master's Degree while performing the same job.
Earning a Master's degree or any post-graduate qualification in Sri Lanka is a substantial financial commitment, with tuition fees ranging from 450,000 LKR to 1,350,000 LKR and a duration of around two years. It's important to note that during this period, any salary increases are unlikely, assuming ongoing employment. Salary reviews are typically conducted after completing the program and obtaining the degree.
Many individuals pursue advanced education as a means of transitioning to higher-paying positions, and the statistics indicate that this is an effective strategy. On average, individuals who change jobs after earning a higher degree receive a salary increase of about 10% more than the typical annual raise.
Ultimately, deciding whether or not to pursue advanced education depends on a variety of factors, including the personal situation and experience. However, if one can afford the financial costs of obtaining a higher degree, the return on investment is likely to be worthwhile, with the ability to recoup the costs in approximately a year.
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In Sri Lanka, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 10% across all career fields.
Male | 93,600 LKR | |
Female | -9% | 84,800 LKR |
Employees in Sri Lanka are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 9% every 17 months.
The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare 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.
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
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.
48% of surveyed staff in Sri Lanka reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 52% 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 | 52% | |
No Bonus | 48% |
The 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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
Job Title | Average Salary |
Accounting and Finance | |
Accountant | 67,100 LKR |
Accounting Assistant | 52,700 LKR |
Accounting Manager | 134,000 LKR |
Bookkeeper | 44,400 LKR |
Chartered Accountant | 87,900 LKR |
Corporate Treasurer | 122,000 LKR |
Financial Analyst | 119,000 LKR |
Financial Manager | 181,000 LKR |
Internal Auditor | 89,400 LKR |
Administration / Reception / Secretarial | |
Administrative Assistant | 49,100 LKR |
Office Manager | 77,500 LKR |
Receptionist | 43,300 LKR |
Secretary | 40,700 LKR |
Advertising / Graphic Design / Events | |
Art Director | 94,100 LKR |
Creative Director | 96,700 LKR |
Graphic Designer | 56,800 LKR |
Photographer | 50,500 LKR |
Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense | |
Aerospace Engineer | 119,000 LKR |
Air Traffic Controller | 102,000 LKR |
Flight Attendant | 61,200 LKR |
Pilot | 156,000 LKR |
Architecture | |
Architect | 111,000 LKR |
CAD Drafter | 48,100 LKR |
Automotive | |
Mechanic | 34,500 LKR |
Service Advisor | 64,000 LKR |
Banking | |
Bank Branch Manager | 174,000 LKR |
Teller | 33,400 LKR |
Bilingual | |
Teacher | 74,200 LKR |
Translator | 87,900 LKR |
Business Planning | |
Business Analyst | 113,000 LKR |
Business Development Manager | 154,000 LKR |
Project Manager | 120,000 LKR |
Care Giving and Child Care | |
Nanny | 37,200 LKR |
Nursery Teacher | 33,500 LKR |
Construction / Building / Installation | |
Civil Engineer | 88,400 LKR |
Construction Project Manager | 155,000 LKR |
Health and Safety Officer | 42,400 LKR |
Customer Service and Call Center | |
Call Center Representative | 34,900 LKR |
Customer Service Manager | 130,000 LKR |
Customer Service Representative | 36,300 LKR |
Engineering | |
Civil Engineer | 83,200 LKR |
Electrical Engineer | 89,700 LKR |
Engineer | 87,000 LKR |
Mechanical Engineer | 84,100 LKR |
Executive and Management | |
Chief Executive Officer | 207,000 LKR |
Chief Financial Officer | 188,000 LKR |
General Manager | 169,000 LKR |
Project Manager | 100,000 LKR |
Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering | |
Chef | 58,700 LKR |
Executive Chef | 68,400 LKR |
Hotel Manager | 163,000 LKR |
Receptionist | 36,500 LKR |
Travel Agent | 59,600 LKR |
Waiter / Waitress | 29,900 LKR |
Health and Medical | |
Dentist | 232,000 LKR |
Dietitian | 186,000 LKR |
Laboratory Technician | 66,800 LKR |
Nurse | 73,500 LKR |
Human Resources | |
Human Resources Manager | 134,000 LKR |
Human Resources Officer | 54,300 LKR |
Information Technology | |
Computer Technician | 74,400 LKR |
Database Administrator | 92,300 LKR |
Developer / Programmer | 89,400 LKR |
Information Technology Manager | 151,000 LKR |
Network Engineer | 82,900 LKR |
Law Enforcement / Security / Fire | |
Police Officer | 54,100 LKR |
Legal | |
Attorney | 182,000 LKR |
Legal Assistant | 49,300 LKR |
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment | |
Journalist | 110,000 LKR |
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology | |
Biomedical Engineer | 77,600 LKR |
Pharmacist | 122,000 LKR |
Sales Retail and Wholesale | |
Cashier | 35,900 LKR |
Sales Manager | 168,000 LKR |
Sales Representative | 57,600 LKR |
Teaching / Education | |
Elementary School Teacher | 64,000 LKR |
Secondary School Teacher | 77,500 LKR |
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 fixed 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.
The minimum pay rate per hour for a person in Sri Lanka is 130 LKR. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in Sri Lanka is 8% on average across all career fields.
Private Sector | 86,300 LKR | |
Public Sector | +8% | 92,900 LKR |
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 Sri Lanka would range anywhere between 80,800 LKR and 122,000 LKR.
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 salary after tax for every career.
The base salary in Sri Lanka ranges from 22,700 LKR to 58,300 LKR. 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 with a grain of salt.
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn 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