INGO Jobs in Nepal: Salary by Role and Sector
SalaryInBox
January 24, 2025 5 min read
Quick answer
NGOs, INGOs and development organisations in Nepal pay a median of NPR 90,000 a month in gross salary, according to SalaryInbox contributions. The middle half earn NPR 44,500–1,20,000, and the top 10% earn NPR 2,00,000 or more, about double the education and government sector medians.
- NGO/INGO median pay is about double the education and government medians.
- Research officers and project managers are among the better-paid common INGO roles.
- Use the salary tax calculator to estimate take-home pay.
Figures are SalaryInbox community contributions (checked 15 October 2026), not a survey of every employer.
Quick answer: NGOs, INGOs and development organisations in Nepal pay a median of NPR 90,000 a month in gross salary, according to SalaryInBox contributions. The middle half earn NPR 44,500–1,20,000, and the top 10% earn NPR 2,00,000 or more. That is about double the education and government sector medians. To see your take-home pay, use our free salary tax calculator.
NGO and INGO salary in Nepal vs other sectors
SalaryInbox groups NGOs, INGOs and other development organisations into one industry. The table shows monthly gross pay.
| Industry | Median | Middle 50% | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| NGO/INGO/Development | NPR 90,000 | NPR 44,500–1,20,000 | NPR 2,00,000 |
| Education | NPR 45,000 | NPR 30,000–60,000 | NPR 90,000 |
| Government & public sector | NPR 45,500 | NPR 43,000–66,500 | NPR 77,500 |
Source: SalaryInBox, checked 15 October 2026. Figures are rounded to the nearest NPR 500 and come from salaries people shared on SalaryInBox, not a survey of every employer.
Salary for common INGO roles
These are cross-industry figures for roles INGOs often hire. SalaryInBox does not yet publish role-level pay for INGOs alone, so treat them as a benchmark.
| Role | Median | Middle 50% |
|---|---|---|
| Research Officer | NPR 85,000 | NPR 72,500–1,05,000 |
| Project Manager | NPR 75,000 | NPR 54,000–1,00,000 |
| Admin & Finance Officer | NPR 70,000 | NPR 51,000–82,500 |
| Consultant | NPR 61,000 | NPR 52,000–95,000 |
| Research Assistant | NPR 50,000 | NPR 29,000–52,500 |
| Administrative Officer | NPR 40,000 | NPR 27,500–54,000 |
Source: SalaryInBox, checked 15 October 2026. Rounded to the nearest NPR 500.
What INGOs do in Nepal
International non-governmental organisations (INGOs) work across countries on problems such as poverty, inequality, climate change and disaster recovery. In Nepal they have supported post-earthquake reconstruction, COVID-19 recovery, and long-term work in education, health and gender equality.
Well-known international organisations working in Nepal include:
- Save the Children
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
- Oxfam
- CARE Nepal
- Heifer International
They hire for many roles, from community facilitators in the field to programme managers and technical specialists in head offices.
What affects INGO pay
- Experience: pay rises as you move from assistant roles to officer, manager and advisor roles.
- Role type: technical and management roles, such as M&E specialists and programme managers, usually pay more than support roles.
- Donor funding: an organisation's budget, and so its pay, depends largely on international donors.
- Location: head-office roles in Kathmandu tend to pay more than field roles. SalaryInBox doesn't yet have enough data to show INGO pay by city.
Benefits beyond salary
- Health insurance: many INGOs provide medical cover, often including family members.
- Training: workshops, certifications and sometimes support for further study.
- Travel and allowances: field roles often include travel allowances, per diems and accommodation.
- Flexibility: some roles offer flexible hours or hybrid work.
- Retirement benefits: like other employers, INGOs deduct provident fund or SSF contributions and may pay gratuity. See PF, Gratuity and SSF in Nepal for rates and worked examples.
Downsides to know about
- Project-based contracts: most jobs are tied to donor-funded projects, so contracts and raises can end when funding ends.
- Uneven pay: field staff often earn much less than office staff, even with similar workloads.
- Demanding work: disaster response and field roles can be stressful and involve long travel.
INGO roles by career level
Entry level
- Common roles: Programme Assistant, Administrative Officer, Community Facilitator, Finance Assistant.
- Qualifications: a bachelor's degree in development studies, social sciences, management or a related field.
- How to get in: volunteer with a local NGO for grassroots experience, and show teamwork and project exposure on your CV.
Mid level (about 3–7 years' experience)
- Common roles: Project Manager, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist, Communications Officer, Logistics and Operations Coordinator.
- Qualifications: usually a master's degree in public health, economics, international development or similar, plus certifications such as PMP or M&E training.
- Key skills: project management, donor relations, stakeholder engagement and impact reporting.
Senior level (7+ years' experience)
- Common roles: Country Director, Head of Finance, Technical Advisor (education, climate, health), Advocacy Lead.
- Qualifications: an advanced degree and significant leadership experience.
- What the job involves: managing large budgets and working with global teams and donors.
How to grow your INGO career
From entry level to mid-career:
- Build technical skills through training and certifications such as PMP or GIS.
- Take on project roles to get hands-on implementation experience.
- Attend seminars and workshops run by INGOs and development networks.
From mid-career to leadership:
- Look for international assignments or short-term missions.
- Move into donor coordination, advocacy or regional programme management.
- Consider an advanced degree or a leadership programme.
- Use mentorship programmes where your organisation offers them, and take on cross-functional work.
Skills INGOs look for
Technical skills
- Project management: planning, running and monitoring projects, with tools such as Microsoft Project, Trello or Asana.
- Monitoring and evaluation: collecting and analysing data on project outcomes, with tools such as SPSS, Power BI or GIS.
- Subject expertise: climate adaptation, health, disaster management and gender equality are in demand.
- Data and digital skills: more INGOs use data tools for beneficiary tracking and impact reporting, and GIS mapping in disaster response.
Soft skills
- Cultural sensitivity: for working with diverse communities and international teams.
- Communication and negotiation: with donors, government officials and communities.
- Leadership and teamwork: for running teams and projects.
How to start a career in an INGO
- Study a relevant subject: development studies, management, public health or social sciences.
- Volunteer or intern: local NGOs and organisations such as the Nepal Red Cross Society are a common stepping stone.
- Network: attend events run by INGOs and development networks, and use LinkedIn and job sites such as JobsNepal.
- Get certified: PMP, Sphere training or M&E courses help your CV stand out.
- Watch job boards: follow INGO job boards and sector groups on social media.
How to work out your take-home salary
The figures above are gross pay. Income tax and any SSF or provident fund contributions come off before you are paid. Enter your monthly salary in the Khatapana salary tax calculator to see your tax and take-home pay under the FY 2083/84 tax slabs.
Compare your salary on SalaryInBox
SalaryInBox is a free platform where people in Nepal share their salaries anonymously. You can browse salaries by job title and industry, or share your own salary. The more NGO and INGO staff contribute, the sooner the data can be split by organisation type, role and city.
FAQ
What is the salary in INGOs in Nepal?
The median is NPR 90,000 a month in gross salary across NGO, INGO and development jobs on SalaryInBox. The middle half earn NPR 44,500–1,20,000, and the top 10% earn NPR 2,00,000 or more.
What is the NGO salary in Nepal?
SalaryInbox puts NGOs, INGOs and development organisations in one industry, with a median of NPR 90,000 a month. Pay at small local NGOs is often lower than at large international ones, but there isn't yet enough data to show them separately.
Do NGOs pay less than INGOs?
SalaryInbox groups them together, so there is no separate figure yet. If you work in the sector, share your salary anonymously to help split the data.
Which INGO jobs pay the most?
Senior roles such as country directors and technical advisors pay the most. Among common roles with SalaryInBox data, research officers (median NPR 85,000) and project managers (median NPR 75,000) are among the better paid.
Is INGO salary taxable in Nepal?
For most staff, yes. It is taxed as employment income like any other salary. Use the salary tax calculator to estimate your tax. If you work for a UN agency or a diplomatic mission, check with your employer how your pay is treated.
Sources
- SalaryInBox, NGO/INGO/Development organisation salaries
- SalaryInBox, Education industry salaries
- SalaryInBox, Government & public sector salaries
- SalaryInBox, Top-paying job titles and industries
- SalaryInBox role pages linked in the table above (all checked 15 October 2026)
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