UPDATED Oct. 14, 2022 | For years, Cambodia and other countries in the ASEAN have been popular among expat residents and global nomads due to the low cost of living.
Rapid urbanization and the staple of cultural tourism in these nations have amassed the balance of an idyllic atmosphere coupled with modern comforts. Particularly in major cities such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, foreigners can enjoy familiar luxuries with more modest resources as they somewhat merge with the lifestyle of most locals.
When it comes to food, filling meals can be found outside for as low as $1.00, with more potential savings for those cooking at home. While Numbeo reports a slightly higher average price at $3.00 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant, you won’t be hard-pressed for cheaper finds in local cuisine.
Nevertheless, the Kingdom’s National Council on Minimum Wage (NCMW) regularly gathers to discuss the national minimum wage, studying the following criteria and its impact on the average citizen: inflation, cost of living, productivity, competitiveness, sector profitability, and the current labor market situation.
Factory workers at minimum wage
It is a general pattern for areas with lower cost of living to have lower wages (Brookings, 2018). Fortunately for minimum wage-earners in Cambodia, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training with its NCMW has raised the minimum wage: from $192, they will peg it at $200 by 2023—an increase of $10 in three (3) years.
The amount had initially been decided at $198, but the Prime Minister Hun Sen intervened to raise it even more by $2.
This is set for those working in the garment industry, such as factory workers, and is considered valid for the entire country. Most factories are located in the province or along the outskirts of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
When examining the capital city of Phnom Penh, the most expensive city in the Kingdom, you’ll get a higher figure: $290 per month. Meanwhile expats, particularly Westerners, can anticipate a considerably higher salary if invited to work in the big city.
Chief executives, IT workers, managers top earners in Cambodia
The minimum wage and salary depend not only on the geographical location, but also on the industry and specific job roles.
Those in Top Management positions—CEOs, managers, directors, and principals—earn the most with an average of KHR 6,470,600 or about $1,568.
They are followed by other managerial roles (including supervisors); those in information technology (e.g. programmers and web developers); leasing (e.g. consultants and risk managers); and technology and development, such as systems engineers, technical staff, and technical department heads.
Average salaries in these four sectors start at KHR 3,747,510 or about $908 for those in tech and dev, to as high as KHR 4,294,750 or $1,041 for those in secondary management.
Earning between KHR 3,093,820 to3,140,190($750 to $761) on average are workers in law and legislation, banking, telecommunications, human resources, quality management, and the pharmaceutical industry.
These are followed by those in economics, finance, and accountancy, who make an average of $750 or KHR 3,093,820 per month. Included here are accountants and service managers, auditors, financial advisors, billing clerks, and statisticians..
In the marketing, advertising, and public relations sector, monthly salaries average around $748 or KHR 3,086,260.
Below is a summary of the 15 highest-paying industries and their average monthly salary in USD (highest to lowest):
Industry
AverageSalary(USD)
1
Top Management
1,568
2
Management
1,041
3
Information Technology
996
4
Leasing
969
5
Technology and Development
908
6
Law and Legislation
823
7
Banking
807
8
Telecommunications
802
9
Human Resources
773
10
Quality Management
770
11
Pharmaceutical Industry
761
12
Economics, Finance, Accountancy
750
13
Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations
748
14
Mining, Metallurgy
702
15
Public Administration, Self-Governance
680
Bottom tier: manual laborers, service workers
A quick glance at the table above will tell you that the highest-paid positions in the Kingdom are those with managerial roles, those involved in information technology, real estate, law and finance, and those in human resources.
In contrast, the table below provides the 15 industries with the lowest average monthly salaries in Cambodia (lowest to highest).
You will notice that this table is composed primarily of those in manual labor and various services, from the tourism industry to social workers.
Within the Textile, Leather, and Apparel Industry, it is seamstresses who make a minimum of KHR994,388or $241, above the set minimum wage for 2023. This and the rest of the figures are based on data from Paylab.
The service industries include beauticians, mechanics, maintenance workers, gas station attendants, and waste collectors, while under tourism fall cooks and bartenders, fast food workers, porters, receptionists, spa therapists, and travel guides.
Wood processing and administration have tied in the latest figures. Included in the former are machine operators, lumberjacks and timber engineers, upholsterers, and woodworking technicians. Meanwhile, the administration category includes chief receptionists, data entry operators, project planners or assistants, and secretaries.
The medicine and social care category, on the other hand, includes caregivers, nurses, midwives, other healthcare practitioners such as dentists, doctors, and laboratory technicians, veterinarians, speech therapists, and youth workers.
Towards the end of 2022, the Prime Minister together with the Ministry of Education also intend to raise entry-level teachers’ salary by $100, thus bringing it to $320 by January 2023. Based on Paylab’s data, among teachers it is nursery school assistants who currently make the least at KHR 872,979 or $212 monthly.
Investors: potential for bridging the gap
Particularly for foreign investors, it is imperative to know and understand the wage rate and legal compliances in order to impose ideal labor conditions and business practices, both to maximize their resources and provide fair opportunities for employees.
At present, average earnings are affected by differences in experience, age, gender, and educational attainment. According to Average Salary Survey, those with 16-20 years of experience earn around 8% more than those with over 20 years of experience, indicating a general devaluation of the work rendered by older employees.
Most stark is the contrast between genders: Men earn about 50% more than women. Meanwhile, the difference in earnings between those who have finished below high school and those who have some college experience is a mere 1.5%.
In summary, the lower average salary in Cambodia makes it the perfect option to easily fulfill your labor force needs for your business, especially for agricultural and industrial sectors. Meanwhile, for job seekers, regardless of the location, to earn a higher salary and live a more comfortable life, one has to work harder to achieve their dreams.
Minimum Wages in Cambodia averaged 155.45 USD/Month from 2012 until 2023, reaching an all time high of 200.00 USD/Month in 2023 and a record low of 61.00 USD/Month in 2012.
The gross salary range for people working in Cambodia is typically from 1,241,938 KHR (minimum salary) to 4,880,148 KHR (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher). This is the total monthly salary including bonuses. Salaries can vary drastically among different job categories.
Average salaries in these four sectors start at KHR 3,747,510 or about $908 for those in tech and dev, to as high as KHR 4,294,750 or $1,041 for those in secondary management.
As of Apr 30, 2023, the average annual pay for an American in the United States is $58,563 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $28.16 an hour.
How much does a Cambodian make? As of Apr 30, 2023, the average annual pay for a Cambodian in the United States is $42,633 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $20.50 an hour. This is the equivalent of $819/week or $3,552/month.
As of Apr 29, 2023, the average annual pay for a 100K A Year in the United States is $85,866 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $41.28 an hour.
Landing in the top 10% is a fairly attainable goal for upwardly mobile Americans. A study by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) found that the average earnings of those in the top 10% were roughly $173,000 in 2020.
5-8 day-long tuk-tuk tours. 15-18 nights in a budget hotel, or 5-8 nights in a three-star accommodation in Siem Reap. 10-18 mid-priced restaurant meals.
Nov 02, 2020. In Cambodia, middle-income earners are classed as anyone who earns between $500 and $2,000 a month, which is similar to saying that middle-income earners in the UK make between £1,000 and £4,000 a month.
As of May 1, 2023, the average annual pay for a Male in the United States is $37,307 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $17.94 an hour.
Salaries range from $45,060 to $335,200 per year and include housing, transport, and other benefits. The median salary is $89,000 per year, meaning that 50% of the USA's population is earning less than $89,000 per year – while the others earn more than the median.
What is average wage in Mexico? Average Wages in Mexico increased to 523 MXN/Day (618.349 USD/Month) in February 2023. The maximum rate of average wage for employees was 433 MXN/Day and minimum was 129 MXN/Day. Data published Monthly by Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare.
From experience, expatriates who have already lived there there estimate that $500 a month is the minimum cost of living . With $1,000 a month you would be entirely covered with money to spare, and the minimum subsistence would be $400. The Khmer country is therefore very inexpensive.
But for most people, the selection of Western-style apartments and Khmer townhouses remains extremely affordable, starting at just a few hundred dollars a month. ... Cost of Living in Cambodia.
The average salary for foreign English teachers in Phnom Penh hovers around $10 to $14 per hour. The rate is slightly less in Siem Reap and less still in Sihanoukville. The majority of expats choose to teach in Cambodia because the barriers to entry are quite low.
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are the most popular cities for expats, but Sihanoukville has beaches, Battambang is charming, and Kep and Kampot are the definite up-and-comers in Cambodia.
But all the same, 100k in retirement can last up to 30 years if you stick to the general 4% thumb rule of financial planning during retirement. This rule suggests that retirees 65 and older should withdraw at most 4% of their savings during the first year of retirement.
From age 18-24, only 1% of earners (7% altogether) earn $100k per year or more. This makes these age groups by far the lowest earners in the US. Americans make the most income gains between 25 and 35. Only 2% of 25-year-olds make over $100k per year, but this jumps to a considerable 12% by 35.
Earning $150,000 puts you well above the average salary in the U.S — over double the median income, in fact, according to Census data. With this salary, you can likely afford a bigger home than most, and likely in a more desirable location.
According to those surveyed, it would take an average net worth of approximately $2.2 million to be considered “wealthy” in 2022. In 2021, survey respondents indicated it would take a net worth of $1.9 million. More interestingly, when asked in 2020 what wealth looked like, people said $2.6 million.
Pew defines “middle class” as those earning between two-thirds and twice the median American household income, which in 2021 was $70,784, according to the United States Census Bureau. That means American households earning as little as $47,189 and up to $141,568 are technically in the middle class.
1. Which job has the highest salary in India? Jobs with the highest salaries in India are medical professionals, data scientists, machine learning experts, blockchain developers, full-stack software developers, investment bankers and product managers.
Foreign experience is highly valued here, and most expats are able to find a job easily. In fact, many are able to find jobs that they wouldn't be regarded as qualified to do at home.
How Much Does it Cost to Retire in Cambodia? Living costs in Cambodia are relatively cheap compared to most Asian countries. As a retiree, you can live comfortably for $1,000 to $1,500 per month, depending on your lifestyle.
Foreign currency in the amount exceeding US$10,000.00 (ten thousand US dollars) is required to obtain the permit from the National Bank of Cambodia and approval before an exportation from the General Department of Customs and Excise, should there be no import declaration of the currency at their entry.
What is the Real Cost of Living in Cambodia? Compared to many Asian countries, the cost of living in Cambodia is still relatively cheap. A foreigner living alone in the city can easily get by on $800 – $1,000 per month if he cooks his own food and indulges in minimal luxuries.
A Doctor working in Cambodia will typically earn around 102,599,200 KHR per year, and this can range from the lowest average salary of about 47,158,400 KHR to the highest average salary of 163,201,300 KHR. These are average salaries for a Doctor in Cambodia and include benefits such as housing and transport.
Garment-making and tourism are the main economic sectors in Cambodia, but skilled professionals are also highly sought after. Whether you want to teach English or work in a multinational company, online portals are the best place to start your job search.
Cambodia's resolve to become an upper-middle-income economy by 2030 and a high-income economy by 2050 even as the country has been affected by the complex global storms remains unshaken, said senior officials of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).
Though it can vary according to the type of lifestyle an expat maintains, the cost of living in Cambodia is generally affordable. Expats will find that certain things can be relatively cheap, including street food, entertainment and public transport, but the cost is usually higher in Phnom Penh.
The low GDP placed the country as the poorest country in the region. At the same time, Cambodia recorded a stronger relative economic performance compared to others ASEAN countries.
Cambodia is a relatively cheap country to live and visit and one of the best places in Asia to live as a retired expat, making it a popular destination for retirees. To retire in Cambodia, you must apply for a Cambodia Retirement ER Visa.
Budget. Like in most Asian countries, spending around USD180-250 per day per person (including hotels) is enough for a wonderful experience including a private car and guide in Vietnam. The price of traveling in Cambodia is higher than Vietnam by USD5-20 per day.
Although Cambodia's official currency is the Riel the US Dollar is used in most transactions, so we recommend taking some US Dollars in cash (with some small denomination notes).
To an outside investor, condos in Phnom Penh seem relatively cheap. Mid-range units average $2,200 per square meter whereas luxury ones typically cost $3,000 per square meter.
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