Key Facts: Sri Lanka Wages
- Country
- Sri Lanka (LKA)
- Continent
- Asia
- Currency
- Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
- Minimum Wage
- Rs135 /hr ($0.45 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- Rs55,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- Rs660,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- Rs420,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 45 hours
- Data Source
- Department of Labour — Sri Lanka; 2025 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2025-04-01)
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-04
Sri Lanka — Average Salary & Wages
Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) Data verified Jan 2025 Sources
The average salary in Sri Lanka is
Rs660,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than Rs420,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Sri Lanka is Rs135/hr ($0.45 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is Rs55,000 ($183.95 USD). The median monthly income is Rs35,000 ($117.06 USD).
Median individual monthly income approximately LKR 35,000. Significant regional disparities between Western Province (Colombo area) and rural/plantation areas. Post-crisis inflation has eroded real incomes substantially.
Average monthly earnings across formal and informal sectors. Net estimated after EPF (Employee Provident Fund) contribution of 8% (employee share; employer contributes 12%) and ETF (Employment Trust Fund, employer only). Income tax is progressive (6-36%) with a generous personal relief of LKR 1,200,000/year, meaning most average earners pay minimal income tax. Post-crisis economic recovery has pushed nominal wages up but real purchasing power remains below pre-2022 levels.
• SECTOR RATES
Tea plantation workers (daily rate)
Rs1,700 /day
Since 2024-01-01
Collectively bargained daily wage for tea plantation workers, a significant employment sector. Subject to periodic renegotiation between Regional Plantation Companies and trade unions.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2016, the minimum wage has grown +170% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Sri Lanka, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $1.55/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 Sri Lanka earns Rs23,400/mo. That is 43% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- Rs23,400 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 43% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $78.26/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +170% since 2016
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- Rs135
- Daily
- Rs1,080Monthly base wage divided by 25 working days
- Monthly
- Rs27,000
- Annual
- Rs324,000
National Minimum Wage of Workers Act No. 3 of 2016 (as amended) updated for 2025: LKR 27,000/month effective April 2025 (up from the prior LKR 16,000 base + LKR 5,000 allowance = LKR 21,000 effective). The 2025 rate consolidates and increases the prior base + allowance structure. Wages Board Ordinance also sets sector-specific minimums through 44 Wages Boards covering different trades, some of which set higher rates. Tea plantation workers have separately negotiated wage agreements.
Work Week
- Standard
- 45 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 45 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Shop and Office Employees Act limits hours to 8 per day and 45 per week for commercial establishments. Factories Ordinance limits factory workers to similar hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the ordinary rate. Different rules apply to plantation workers and domestic workers. Public holidays: approximately 25 per year (Sri Lanka has one of the highest numbers of public holidays globally).
How Sri Lanka Compares
| Metric | Sri Lanka | Asia Avg. | Asia Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $0.45/hr | $2.61/hr | $11.89/hr (Israel) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $183.95/mo | $1,185.31/mo | $4,472.55/mo (Singapore) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Cameroon | $0.46 |
| Myanmar | $0.46 |
| Burkina Faso | $0.47 |
| Laos | $0.48 |
| Tanzania | $0.38 |
| Sri Lanka | $0.45 |
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Bhutan Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Sri Lanka on our sister site.
Cost of living in Sri Lanka on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Sri Lanka?
The minimum wage in Sri Lanka is Rs135/hr (approximately $0.45 USD), effective since 2025-04-01. National Minimum Wage of Workers Act No. 3 of 2016 (as amended) updated for 2025: LKR 27,000/month effective April 2025 (up from the prior LKR 16,000 base + LKR 5,000 allowance = LKR 21,000 effective). The 2025 rate consolidates and increases the prior base + allowance structure. Wages Board Ordinance also sets sector-specific minimums through 44 Wages Boards covering different trades, some of which set higher rates. Tea plantation workers have separately negotiated wage agreements.
What is the average salary in Sri Lanka?
The average gross monthly salary in Sri Lanka is Rs55,000 (approximately $183.95 USD). Average monthly earnings across formal and informal sectors. Net estimated after EPF (Employee Provident Fund) contribution of 8% (employee share; employer contributes 12%) and ETF (Employment Trust Fund, employer only). Income tax is progressive (6-36%) with a generous personal relief of LKR 1,200,000/year, meaning most average earners pay minimal income tax. Post-crisis economic recovery has pushed nominal wages up but real purchasing power remains below pre-2022 levels. Source: Department of Census and Statistics — Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Sri Lanka?
The standard work week in Sri Lanka is 45 hours, with a legal maximum of 45 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Shop and Office Employees Act limits hours to 8 per day and 45 per week for commercial establishments. Factories Ordinance limits factory workers to similar hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the ordinary rate. Different rules apply to plantation workers and domestic workers. Public holidays: approximately 25 per year (Sri Lanka has one of the highest numbers of public holidays globally).
How has the minimum wage in Sri Lanka changed over time?
The minimum wage in Sri Lanka has changed as follows: Rs10,000 in 2016, Rs10,000 in 2019, Rs10,000 in 2020, Rs10,000 in 2021, Rs12,500 in 2022, Rs16,000 in 2023, Rs16,000 in 2024, Rs27,000 in 2025. This represents 8 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Sri Lanka in USD?
The minimum wage in Sri Lanka converts to approximately $0.45/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 Sri Lanka in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Sri Lanka is approximately $183.95 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Sri Lanka's minimum wage compare to the Asia average?
Sri Lanka's minimum wage ranks #32 out of 34 countries with statutory minimum wages in Asia, placing it among the lowest in Asia.
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