Putting the best publicly‑available datasets side‑by‑side shows that a typical full‑time worker in Phnom Penh in 2025 takes home about US $400‑430 per month after tax (≈ 1.6‑1.8 million KHR). That is roughly 10‑20 % higher than the national average and 2‑3 × Cambodia’s legal minimum wage. Gross pay (before Cambodia’s 0‑20 % progressive income‑tax bands) generally lands in the US $550‑650 range
Putting the best publicly‑available datasets side‑by‑side shows that a typical full‑time worker in Phnom Penh in 2025 takes home about US $400‑430 per month after tax (≈ 1.6‑1.8 million KHR). That is roughly 10‑20 % higher than the national average and 2‑3 × Cambodia’s legal minimum wage. Gross pay (before Cambodia’s 0‑20 % progressive income‑tax bands) generally lands in the US $550‑650 range.
1. What the different sources say
| Source (2024‑25 data) | Geographic scope | Metric | Monthly amount |
| Numbeo user‑reported | Phnom Penh | Average net salary | US $416 |
| LivingCost.org | Phnom Penh | Median net salary | US $347 |
| Paylab crowd‑survey | Phnom Penh entries (2025) | Middle‑skilled gross salaries (several recent posts) | US $281‑1 075 (illustrative) |
| Multiplier global HR guide | Cambodia overall, job table | Gross pay for common professional roles in PP | US $676‑1 384 |
| RemotePeople country dashboard | Cambodia | Average net salary | ≈ US $500 |
| Exiap cost‑of‑living study (Mar 2025) | Cambodia | Average after‑tax salary | US $449.8 |
| Talent4U 2025 Salary Benchmark | Cambodia (with PP premium) | Typical range | US $650‑750 |
| National Institute of Statistics – CSES 2019/20 | Phnom Penh households | Per‑capita disposable income | 903 000 KHR ≈ US $220 |
| CEIC Data (household income) | Cambodia | Annual per‑capita income 2021 | US $1 592 (≈ US $133 / mo) |
| Minimum wage law (TradingEconomics) | National floor (garment & manufacturing) | Statutory minimum | US $208 |
| Anker Institute Living‑Wage Reference (urban) | Urban Cambodia | Decent‑living wage | US $210 |
Why the spread? Each source measures something slightly different—net vs. gross, employee‑reported vs. official household income, and city vs. nationwide samples. When we normalise them (net, individual, full‑time), the mid‑400‑US‑dollar figure for Phnom Penh lines up remarkably well.
2. Converting to Cambodian riel (KHR)
- 2025 mid‑year forex: 1 USD ≈ 4 100 KHR.
- Net average ≈ US $420 × 4 100 ≈ 1 720 000 KHR.
- Minimum wage floor ≈ US $208 × 4 100 ≈ 850 000 KHR.
3. How salaries vary inside Phnom Penh
By
sector / skill level
Entry‑level & low‑skill
- Garment & hospitality roles cluster just above the legal floor (US $220‑300).
Mid‑skill white‑collar
- Accountants, administrators, HR assistants: US $280‑550 net.
Professional & tech
- Software engineers, project managers: US $800‑1 400 gross; senior IT managers push beyond US $1 300.
By
experience
- Surveys show a 50‑60 % jump from 0‑2 years’ to 5‑8 years’ experience in the same role (e.g., Paylab & Multiplier tables).
Expat premium?
- Multinational packages (finance, telecom, development agencies) routinely land in the US $1 500‑3 000 bracket, but these are outliers relative to the broader labour market.
4. Context: salaries vs. cost of living
- LivingCost.org estimates that US $836 covers a modest local lifestyle for one in the capital. With the median take‑home only US $347, many households rely on multiple earners or informal income streams.
- At the same time, Phnom Penh pay is still 20‑40 % higher than in secondary cities like Siem Reap (Numbeo comparison shows US $416 vs. US $217).
5. Key take‑aways for job‑seekers & employers
- Benchmark realistically – Target US $400‑450 net (≈ US $550‑650 gross) when budgeting for average talent in Phnom Penh.
- Factor tax – Cambodia’s progressive PIT starts at 0 % below ~US $300 and peaks at 20 % over ~US $3 200; most local salaries lose 10‑12 %.
- Mind the minima – Any contract must clear the US $208 statutory floor; reputable firms usually price at least 15 % above it to stay competitive.
- Upskill for lift‑off – English fluency, digital skills, and professional certifications can double one’s earning power, moving workers from the US $300 band into the US $600‑900 bracket.
- Negotiate benefits – Health cover, transport or meal allowances, and performance bonuses can add 10‑15 % value without breaching tight salary caps.
Go forth & thrive!
With a clear view of Phnom Penh’s pay landscape, you’re ready to dream big, skill up, and secure that next pay‑rise—all while keeping your compensation strategy firmly rooted in solid data. ប្រាក់ខែឲ្យច្រើន (may your salary soar)! 🚀🎉