Salary in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong | 2025 Guide

These days, pay in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong is important for everyone, not just Cambodians. It's also important for expats, investors and businesses that are changing the job market in the country. There is a wave of economic change going on in Cambodia right now. Phnom Penh is the commercial hub, and Koh Kong is becoming a coastal hub of possibility.

Foreign investors come to the capital city to put their money into banking, technology, education and industry. Meanwhile, Koh Kong continues to grow through tourism, casinos and trade with Thailand.

When job seekers and employers compare the average salary in Phnom Penh to the salary guide for Koh Kong, they can learn about pay rates, career prospects and what is expected in the industry. People who work there often want to know: what is the average salary in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong in 2025?

These questions aren't just about numbers; they're also about lifestyle options, growth potential and making sure that the salary and cost of living in Cambodia are equal.

Employers need to compare salaries in Cambodia in order to find good workers in a competitive job market. If an employee knows how much a job in Phnom Penh or Koh Kong pays, they can discuss a fair wage and make plans for the future.

When you look at the difference in salaries between Phnom Penh and Koh Kong, you can see that the cost of living is lower in Koh Kong, which makes it a good choice for some workers, even though the wages are lower.

In this 2025 guide, all of these topics are looked at in great detail, with step-by-step explanations, industry breakdowns, and examples from real life. This article will give you a full picture of the income situation in Cambodia's capital and coastal province, whether you want to move for work, grow your business, or just look at your job growth.

Average Salary in Phnom Penh 2025

International investment, the presence of multinational companies and a growing middle class in Phnom Penh, which is still the country's financial and business hub, have an effect on wages also. The average salary in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong in 2025 is higher than in most other provinces showing that it is the economic powerhouse of the country.  Pay is different for each job, business and level of skill, but over the last ten years, wages have been steadily going up.

• The average salary in Phnom Penh in 2025 ranges between $350 to $700 per month for most employees, though some sectors provide much higher income opportunities.
• A store assistant, cashier, or call center worker makes around $250 to $400 a month, which is enough to cover the basic costs of living in the city.
• If someone is very good at engineering, accounting, design, or IT, they can make between $600 and $1,200 a month.
• Managers, experts and people living abroad usually make at least $2,000 a month, or even more if they get benefits like health insurance and housing costs paid for.

Key Industry Examples

• Banking and Finance: Bank tellers in Phnom Penh make between $500 and $700 a month while mid-level managers make between $1,500 and $2,000. The financial sector remains one of the best-paying industries.
• Information Technology: Developers system engineers and cybersecurity specialists earn $900–$1,200. Tech start-ups also offer performance bonuses making IT one of the most attractive career paths.
• Hospitality and Tourism: Hotel receptionists earn $300–$450 while international hotel managers can receive $1,000–$1,800 often with housing included.

Step-by-Step Example of Growth

• A new college graduate in Phnom Penh who starts working for a transportation company might get paid $350 a month.
• An employee's pay can go up to $500 to $600 after two years of work and basic training.
• After 5 years, the same person may make $800 to $1,000 a month with more management duties and skill growth.

In Phnom Penh, job salaries go up steadily as workers learn new skills and adapt to their companies' changing needs. This career path shows how this works.

Why Salaries Are Rising in Phnom Penh

Several factors explain why the average salary in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong is higher than in other regions of Cambodia:

• Demand in cities: To meet their production and service needs businesses in the capital need more workers.
• International presence: Wage standards are better for foreign companies than for local companies.
• Cost of living pressures: Since living expenses in Phnom Penh are higher than in smaller provinces wages must remain competitive.
• Government regulations: Increases in minimum wage policies for garment workers and related industries influence broader salary structures.

For example, garment factory workers in Phnom Penh now earn around $250–$300, while in professional office settings, starting salaries have also risen by at least 10–15% over the past three years.

Koh Kong Salary Guide 2025

Koh Kong, it was once mostly known for farming, fishing, and small-scale trade, but things have changed quickly in the last ten years. With better roads, special economic zones, new casinos and a tourism business that's growing, the province is starting to offer as many job opportunities as smaller Cambodian cities. The salary in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong guide for 2025 shows that while wages here are still slightly lower than Phnom Penh, steady growth is taking place due to foreign investment, cross-border commerce with Thailand and government-backed development projects.

1. Factory Workers: People who work in factories that make clothes, shoes and parts earn about $250 to $350 a month, which is about the same as the national minimum wage.
2. Tourism and Hospitality: Hotels, spas and casinos hire tens of thousands of people every year. Service workers and receptionists usually make between $300 and $450 a week. Some management jobs in casinos pay a lot more than $700 to $900 an hour.
3. Skilled Technical Roles: Depending on their training and certifications, electricians, IT support staff, and workers in special economic zones make between $500 and $900 a month.
4. Construction Workers: Foremen and site managers can make up to $600–$800 on new infrastructure projects like highways bridges and housing developments. Workers make $250–$400 a week.
5. Cross-Border Trade Jobs: A lot of people in the area do small-scale importing and exporting with Thailand, which can bring in an extra $100 to $200 a month for the family.

Examples

• A hotel receptionist in Koh Kong makes around $350 a month but in Phnom Penh, the same job might pay $450 to $500, which shows that wages are higher in the city.
• A casino floor supervisor in Koh Kong can make between $700 and $900 a month which is about the same as in Phnom Penh. This shows that tourism and gambling make pay competitive.
• The starting pay for a technician in a Koh Kong factory might be $450, but after a few years of training in electronics or IT, that salary could go up to $800–$900.

Why Wages Are Rising in Koh Kong

• Tourism Expansion: With new resorts and casinos attracting visitors from Thailand and beyond service-sector wages are climbing.
• Foreign Direct Investment: Factories and special economic zones are offering better salaries to attract skilled labor.
• Regional Connectivity: The improved road networks and border trade routes with Thailand increase demand for workers in logistics and retail.
• Cost of Living Advantage: While wages are lower than Phnom Penh the Koh Kong job market pay stretches further because of lower housing and food expenses.

Lifestyle Perspective

Many people in Koh Kong have a better mix between work and life than people in Phnom Penh. Rent for a small house can be as low as $120–$200 per month compared to $250–$500 in the capital. Food and utilities also cost less meaning that even a $350–$400 monthly salary can support a modest lifestyle. When analyzing the cost of living vs salary in Koh Kong, the results show that even though wages are lower many families are interested in moving there because they can save money and it's affordable also.

Salary Comparison Cambodia: Phnom Penh vs Koh Kong

When analyzing the salary comparison Cambodia, it’s important to see not only how much money people earn but also how far that salary goes when matched with local living costs. The salary comparison between Phnom Penh and Koh Kong shows clear differences in 2025 shaped by living choices economic growth and the focus on certain industries.

Phnom Penh, being the capital, gives better-paying jobs in IT, foreign education, finance and big businesses. Skilled workers can make a lot more money in Phnom Penh, but the rising cost of living often makes it hard to spend money. Koh Kong, on the other hand, has generally had lower wages, but that difference is getting smaller as tourism, casinos and factory jobs all grow quickly. Many workers in Koh Kong find that their costs are lower than in Phnom Penh, even though they make less money. This gives them a better chance to save.

Real-Life Examples

• A software developer in Phnom Penh might earn between $1,000 and $1,500 but spends a lot on food and housing, sometimes more than $600 a month on each. In Koh Kong, similar IT jobs might only pay $600 to $800, but since food costs about $150 and housing costs about $180 the total cost of living is less.
• A hotel receptionist in Phnom Penh typically earns $450–$500 while in Koh Kong the same role pays $350–$400. Even with the lower salary in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong often spend less on rent and daily expenses making the lifestyle balance more favorable.
• A factory worker in Koh Kong makes $250–$300 a month, but in Phnom Penh they make $280–$320. Even though the difference in pay isn't very big plant workers in Koh Kong may save a little more because food and rent are cheaper there.

Key Insights from the Comparison

• Phnom Penh Advantage: Best for workers who prioritize career growth, higher pay and opportunities in international companies. However, the high cost of living means even a bigger salary doesn’t always lead to higher savings.
• Koh Kong Advantage: While salaries are lower overall the cost of living vs salary in Koh Kong gives employees a more balanced lifestyle also. Workers spend less on housing transport and essentials, which allows them to save money despite lower income also.
• Lifestyle Decision: Young eager professionals looking for long-term growth and networking opportunities like to live in Phnom Penh. On the other hand, families, service workers and people who like cheaper, slower-paced living like to live in Koh Kong.

In short, the salary comparison between Phnom Penh and Koh Kong, it shows that making more money in the city does not always mean you are in better financial shape. To figure out which place is best for their goals workers must carefully weigh the potential income against the costs of living in each area.

Cost of Living and Salary Cambodia

The cost of living and salary Cambodia relationship is one of the most important aspects for both locals and expats. Knowing how much income is offset by essential expenses helps answer whether salaries in Phnom Penh or Koh Kong are enough to sustain a comfortable life.

In Phnom Penh, the capital city, living standards and expenses are significantly higher compared to other provinces:

• Tenant: A one-bedroom apartment in the city center can cost $250 to $500 a month, but it might be only $200 to $300 if you live outside of the city center. In some neighborhoods, three-bedroom flats cost between $600 and $1,000, but families usually pay more.
• Food: Monthly costs for groceries and eating out range from $150 to $250 for a single person, but can reach $400 or more for families who like to eat at foreign restaurants.
• Utilities and Internet: Electricity, water, and high-speed internet average $100–$150 per month. Heavy air-conditioner use can increase bills further.
• Transportation: Motorcycle gas is cheap, costing about $30 to $50 a month. People who use ride-hailing apps or own cars on the other hand spend more.

On the other hand, Koh Kong shows a different picture:

• Rent: A one-bedroom apartment costs between $100 and $250 a month. Also, bigger homes for families are less expensive than in Phnom Penh.
• Food: Monthly food costs usually fall between $120–$200, especially if one relies on local markets and home cooking. Imported goods may cost extra since they are transported from other provinces.
• Utilities and Daily Expenses: Bills and services average $80–$120, keeping overall living costs significantly lower.

This means that even if how much workers earn in Koh Kong is below Phnom Penh levels, the cost of living vs salary in Koh Kong provides a lifestyle balance that many find appealing. Workers may not take home as much cash, but expenses are also far less demanding.

What Is the Average Salary in Phnom Penh 2025?

Answering what is the average salary in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong 2025 requires breaking it down by industry:

• Teachers in private schools make $400 to $700 a month, while teachers in foreign schools make $1,000 to $2,000 a month.
• The average salary for a software writer is $1,000 to $1,200, and the average salary for a system administrator is $800 to $1,100.
• Bank tellers make between $500 and $700 a week, and bosses make between $1,500 and $3,000.
• Hospitality: Restaurant servers earn $250–$400, hotel managers earn $700–$1,200.

This data confirms that the job salary in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong continues to rise, especially in knowledge-based and service industries.

How Much Do Workers Earn in Koh Kong?

The question how much do workers earn in Koh Kong is best answered by sector:

• Factory Workers: $250–$350
• Tourism Staff: $300–$450
• Construction Workers: $250–$400
• Skilled Technicians: $500–$900
• Managers and Supervisors: $700–$1,200

While the Koh Kong job market pay may seem modest its low living costs make salaries sustainable. For instance:

1. In Koh Kong, a family renting a small house for $150 a month spends a lot less than in Phnom Penh.
2. A lot of people in Koh Kong make extra money by trading goods across borders, which can add an extra $100 to $200 a month.

Because of this, Koh Kong is a good place for workers who value affordability over chances in cities.

Conclusion

As Cambodia continues to grow understanding the salary in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong is more important than ever for businesses and people in 2025. Phnom Penh remains the country’s leading hub for higher-paying roles in banking, IT and skilled workers and people from other countries want to work in corporate companies because they pay well. Although Koh Kong's average wages are lower, it is cheaper, more stable and there are more job opportunities in industry, tourism and casinos also.

The average salary in Phnom Penh and the Koh Kong salary guide both reflect how the Cambodian economy is diversifying, giving workers more options based on lifestyle and career goals. For example, those seeking higher career growth and international-level opportunities may prefer Phnom Penh, where the job salary in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong is rising each year. Meanwhile, workers who want lower living costs and a balance between work and personal life often find

Koh Kong appealing because the Koh Kong job market pay covers essentials comfortably when paired with its affordable housing and food.

Answering critical questions like what is the average salary in Phnom Penh 2025 or how much do workers earn in Koh Kong shows the clear wage gap, but also reveals the hidden advantages of each region. The salary comparison between Phnom Penh and Koh Kong proves that higher pay doesn’t always mean better living especially when factoring in the cost of living vs salary in Koh Kong.

Ultimately, which job to take relies on your personal goals, like whether you want higher wages and more opportunities in the city in Phnom Penh or lower costs and a better way of life in Koh Kong.  When setting pay, employers must also be aware of these changes in order to stay competitive in Cambodia's changing job market. Staying up to date on the cost of living and salary Cambodia both workers and businesses can make better choices that will help them in the future.

Read More: Top High-Paying Skills to Boost Your Salary in 2025