Maldives
+50%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2019)
Graduate jobs and salaries in Bhutan
Updated Data years: 2024, 2025 How we use data
Quick answer
In Bhutan, employees with tertiary education earned a median of BTN 41,000 a month in 2025 (PPP$ 1,948) — +64% compared with all employees. Their unemployment rate was 4.5%, against 2.0% for all adults aged 25 and over (2025).
Sources: ILOSTAT (ILO)
- +64%degree premium: tertiary-educated vs all employees (2025)
- BTN 41,000median monthly pay with tertiary education (2025)
- 4.5%unemployment, tertiary-educated adults 25+ (all adults: 2.0%, 2025)
- 30.1%unemployment, tertiary-educated 15–24 year olds (2025)
Do graduates earn more in Bhutan?
| Education level | Local currency a month | PPP$ a month | vs all employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than basic education | BTN 20,000 | 950 | -20% |
| Basic education | BTN 21,000 | 998 | -16% |
| Intermediate education | BTN 24,335 | 1,156 | -3% |
| Advanced (tertiary) education | BTN 41,000 | 1,948 | +64% |
| Short-cycle tertiary | BTN 38,000 | 1,805 | +52% |
| Bachelor's or equivalent | BTN 41,000 | 1,948 | +64% |
| Master's or equivalent | BTN 60,000 | 2,850 | +140% |
| All levels | BTN 25,000 | 1,188 | — |
The degree premium ranks 53 of 128 countries with data. That is above the South Asia median of +61%.
Earnings over time (PPP$ a month)
Advanced (tertiary) educationAll levels
PPP$ values are in current international dollars, so part of the rise reflects inflation.
Which occupations pay the most in Bhutan?
Median monthly earnings by occupation group in 2024, from highest to lowest. Examples link to our career profiles.
| Occupation group | Local currency a month | PPP$ a month | vs all employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professionals Software developer, Web developer, Data scientist, Data analyst | BTN 41,000 | 1,964 | +71% |
| Managers Construction manager, Marketing manager, Project manager, Supply chain manager | BTN 30,000 | 1,437 | +25% |
| Technicians and associate professionals IT support technician, Paramedic, Biomedical scientist, Paralegal | BTN 27,909 | 1,337 | +16% |
| Clerical support workers | BTN 23,000 | 1,102 | -4% |
| Service and sales workers Police officer | BTN 20,000 | 958 | -17% |
| Craft and related trades workers | BTN 20,000 | 958 | -17% |
| Plant and machine operators and assemblers | BTN 20,000 | 958 | -17% |
| Elementary occupations | BTN 16,094 | 771 | -33% |
| Skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers | BTN 12,000 | 575 | -50% |
| All occupations | BTN 24,000 | 1,150 | — |
Are graduates less likely to be unemployed in Bhutan?
| Education level | Adults 25+ | Young people 15–24 |
|---|---|---|
| Less than basic education | 0.6% | — |
| Basic education | 2.4% | 10.8% |
| Intermediate education | 4.1% | 21.9% |
| Advanced (tertiary) education | 4.5% | 30.1% |
| All levels | 2.0% | 17.9% |
Unemployment among tertiary-educated adults is the 64 lowest of 130 countries with data. The South Asia median is 5.8%.
Unemployment over time, adults 25+
Advanced (tertiary) educationAll levels
Studying and working in Bhutan
Rules on student visas, work after graduation and recognition of qualifications change often. Use the official sources below and check the date on any advice you read.
Guide: how to choose a country to study in · Guide: getting your degree recognised abroad
Country context
- Population
- 796.7K (2025)
- GDP per person (PPP)
- $19,594 (2025)
- Tertiary enrolment (gross)
- 13.0% (2024)
Questions about graduate jobs in Bhutan
Do graduates earn more than non-graduates in Bhutan?
According to the International Labour Organization, employees in Bhutan with tertiary education earned a median of BTN 41,000 a month in 2025, compared with BTN 25,000 for all employees — +64%. The degree premium ranks 53 of 128 countries with data.
What is the unemployment rate for graduates in Bhutan?
In 2025, the unemployment rate for adults aged 25 and over with tertiary education in Bhutan was 4.5%, compared with 2.0% for all adults. Among young people aged 15–24 with tertiary education it was 30.1%.
Which jobs pay the most in Bhutan?
The best-paid occupation group in Bhutan in 2024 was “Professionals”, with median monthly earnings of BTN 41,000 (PPP$ 1,964). Professionals, the group that includes most graduate careers, earned a median of BTN 41,000.
Compare with other countries in South Asia
-
-
Sri Lanka
+58%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2024) -
Nepal
+55%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2017) -
Bangladesh
+79%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2024) -
India
+94%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2025)
Sources
- ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by education — LFS - Labour Force Survey, 2025
- ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — LFS - Labour Force Survey, 2024
- ILOSTAT — Unemployment rate by age and education — LFS - Labour Force Survey, 2025
- World Bank — World Development Indicators — Population, GDP per person (PPP) and tertiary enrolment
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). Bhutan: graduate salaries, jobs and unemployment. https://coursetojob.com/countries/bhutan/ (accessed September 26, 2026)