Key Facts: Nepal Wages
- Country
- Nepal (NPL)
- Continent
- Asia
- Currency
- Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
- Minimum Wage
- Rs112.81 /hr ($0.83 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- Rs32,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- Rs384,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- Rs180,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 48 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security; 2025 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff July 2025)
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-04
Nepal — Average Salary & Wages
Nepalese Rupee (NPR) Data verified Jan 2025 Sources
The average salary in Nepal is
Rs384,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than Rs180,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Nepal is Rs112.81/hr ($0.83 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is Rs32,000 ($234.43 USD). The median monthly income is Rs15,000 ($109.89 USD).
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Send money to Nepal with Wise →Very rough estimates. Household income includes remittances, which account for roughly 25% of GDP. Cash income from employment alone is much lower for most households. Urban-rural divide is significant, as is the gap between Kathmandu Valley and the rest of the country.
Average monthly earnings for paid employees in the formal sector. Excludes self-employed and unpaid family workers (which constitute the majority of workers). Net estimated after Social Security Fund contributions (11% employee share under the new scheme, though coverage is limited) and income tax (progressive 1-36%, low effective rate at this income level). Kathmandu Valley wages are substantially higher than other regions.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2014, the minimum wage has grown +144% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Nepal, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $3.36/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Nepal earns Rs19,550/mo. That is 61% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- Rs19,550 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 61% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $143.22/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +144% since 2014
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- Rs112.81
- Daily
- Rs651.67Monthly wage divided by 30 days
- Monthly
- Rs19,550
- Annual
- Rs234,60012 monthly payments (Dashain bonus is additional)
Minimum remuneration set by the Minimum Remuneration Fixation Committee. The 2025 rate of NPR 19,550/month effective July 2025 represents a 13% increase from 2023's NPR 17,300. Workers also receive a Dashain (festival) bonus equal to one month's salary. Tea plantation and some other sectors have separate (lower) minimum wages. The Labour Act 2017 mandates minimum wage review at least every 2 years.
Work Week
- Standard
- 48 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2017 sets maximum working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Overtime: 150% of normal rate, limited to 4 hours/day and 24 hours/week. Weekly rest of at least one day (Saturday is the traditional rest day). Tea estate and some other sector workers may have different arrangements under sectoral orders.
How Nepal Compares
| Metric | Nepal | Asia Avg. | Asia Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $0.83/hr | $2.61/hr | $11.89/hr (Israel) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $234.43/mo | $1,185.31/mo | $4,472.55/mo (Singapore) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $0.87 |
| Cambodia | $0.88 |
| Senegal | $0.78 |
| Ivory Coast | $0.78 |
| Tunisia | $0.74 |
| Nepal | $0.83 |
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Bhutan Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Nepal on our sister site.
Cost of living in Nepal on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Nepal?
The minimum wage in Nepal is Rs112.81/hr (approximately $0.83 USD), effective since 2025-07-01. Minimum remuneration set by the Minimum Remuneration Fixation Committee. The 2025 rate of NPR 19,550/month effective July 2025 represents a 13% increase from 2023's NPR 17,300. Workers also receive a Dashain (festival) bonus equal to one month's salary. Tea plantation and some other sectors have separate (lower) minimum wages. The Labour Act 2017 mandates minimum wage review at least every 2 years.
What is the average salary in Nepal?
The average gross monthly salary in Nepal is Rs32,000 (approximately $234.43 USD). Average monthly earnings for paid employees in the formal sector. Excludes self-employed and unpaid family workers (which constitute the majority of workers). Net estimated after Social Security Fund contributions (11% employee share under the new scheme, though coverage is limited) and income tax (progressive 1-36%, low effective rate at this income level). Kathmandu Valley wages are substantially higher than other regions. Source: Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) / Nepal Labour Force Survey (2023).
How many hours is the standard work week in Nepal?
The standard work week in Nepal is 48 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Labour Act 2017 sets maximum working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Overtime: 150% of normal rate, limited to 4 hours/day and 24 hours/week. Weekly rest of at least one day (Saturday is the traditional rest day). Tea estate and some other sector workers may have different arrangements under sectoral orders.
How has the minimum wage in Nepal changed over time?
The minimum wage in Nepal has changed as follows: Rs8,000 in 2014, Rs9,700 in 2016, Rs13,450 in 2018, Rs13,450 in 2019, Rs15,000 in 2021, Rs17,300 in 2023, Rs19,550 in 2025. This represents 7 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Nepal in USD?
The minimum wage in Nepal converts to approximately $0.83/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Nepal in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Nepal is approximately $234.43 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Nepal's minimum wage compare to the Asia average?
Nepal's minimum wage ranks #27 out of 34 countries with statutory minimum wages in Asia, placing it below the median for Asia.
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