Minimum Wage in Nepal: Rs 19,550 Monthly, Basic, Daily Rates

The minimum wage in Nepal is Rs 19,550 per month: a basic salary of Rs 12,170 plus a dearness allowance of Rs 7,380. It took effect on 1 Shrawan 2082 (17 July 2025). The minimum daily wage is Rs 754, the hourly wage is Rs 101, and part-time workers get at least Rs 107 per hour. These rates apply to every sector except tea estates and remain in force until the government publishes the next revision. The Labour Act requires a review every two years.

Current minimum wage in Nepal (2082/83 onward)

• Effective: 1 Shrawan 2082 (17 July 2025); Nepal Gazette notice dated 2082-04-05 (21 July 2025)
• Issued by: Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, under s.106 of the Labour Act 2074, after a tripartite agreement between government, employers and trade unions
• Applies to: all sectors and enterprises except tea estates
• Still current in FY 2083/84? Yes. No newer notice had been published as of Kartik 2083. Under s.106–107 the committee starts the next review in Baisakh every two years, and a new rate takes effect from the first day of a fiscal year.

What changed from the previous rate (2080)

Daily wages rate and labour rate in Nepal

The minimum daily wage (labour rate) is Rs 754: Rs 470 basic + Rs 284 DA. Workers hired by the hour must get at least Rs 101/hour, or Rs 107/hour if they are part-time. Local governments and other bodies may set wages for specific work, but not below these national minimums.

What is basic salary in Nepal?

Basic salary (basic remuneration) is the fixed part of your pay, excluding allowances, overtime and bonuses. The Labour Act defines it to include annual grade increments. It matters because almost every statutory benefit is calculated on basic, not gross:

The minimum basic salary in Nepal is Rs 12,170/month. Employers should keep basic at no less than 60% of total remuneration. In the 2082 minimum, basic is 62% of the total (12,170 ÷ 19,550).

Is your basic set correctly? See Is Your Employer Paying You the Right Basic Salary in Nepal?

Minimum salary as per the Labour Act 2074

• s.106: The Ministry fixes minimum remuneration every two years on the recommendation of the Minimum Remuneration Fixation Committee (s.107), publishes it in the Nepal Gazette, and it applies from the first day of the new fiscal year.
• s.3(2): Any employment contract that pays less than the Act's minimums is void to that extent.
• s.34: Pay and benefits start from the day you start work and cannot be set below the Act's minimums.
• s.163(2)(a): If an employer pays below the minimum, the Labour Office can order payment of the shortfall plus compensation of up to twice that amount. Complaints must be made within six months (s.162).

What a minimum-wage worker costs and takes home

Employer cost (CTC):

Festival allowance (Rs 12,170 a year, about Rs 1,014/month) and any insurance not covered by SSF are extra.

Employee take-home:

Income tax depends on total annual income and your SSF status. Check yours with the salary and tax calculator. Full breakdown of the contributions: PF, gratuity and SSF in Nepal.

Tea estate workers' minimum wage

The 2082 notice excludes tea estates, whose rate is set separately. The last published tea-estate rate (2080) was Rs 13,893/month (basic Rs 8,934 + DA Rs 4,959).

Overtime and other minimum entitlements

• Working hours: 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (s.28)
• Overtime: at most 4 hours/day and 24 hours/week, paid at 1.5 × basic (s.30–31)
• Festival allowance: one month's basic each year. See the Dashain allowance rules
• PF, gratuity and insurance: deposited in the Social Security Fund (s.52–57). See the SSF guide

Does Rs 19,550 cover living costs in Kathmandu? Read Minimum Wages in Nepal: The Raise No One Feels.

FAQ

What is the minimum salary in Nepal? Rs 19,550 per month (Rs 12,170 basic + Rs 7,380 dearness allowance), effective 1 Shrawan 2082. It applies to all sectors except tea estates.

What is the basic salary in Nepal? The minimum basic salary is Rs 12,170 per month. Basic is the part of pay used to calculate PF/SSF, gratuity, festival allowance and overtime.

What is the daily wage rate in Nepal? Rs 754 per day (Rs 470 basic + Rs 284 DA). The hourly minimum is Rs 101, and Rs 107 for part-time workers.

What are the minimum wages in Nepal for 2082 and 2083? The 2082 rates (Rs 19,550/month) remain in force in FY 2083/84 unless and until a new Gazette notice is published. The Labour Act sets a two-year review cycle.

Can an employer pay less than the minimum wage? No. Under s.3(2) of the Labour Act such a contract is void to that extent. The Labour Office can order back pay plus compensation of up to twice the shortfall.

How much does a minimum-wage employee take home? About Rs 18,211 before income tax, after the 11% SSF deduction on basic (Rs 1,338.70).