Nepal
+55%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2017)
Graduate jobs and salaries in Sri Lanka
Updated CourseToJob · Editorial policy Data years: 2024 How we use data
Quick answer
In Sri Lanka, employees with tertiary education earned a median of LKR 65,000 a month in 2024 (PPP$ 743) — +58% compared with all employees. Their unemployment rate was 5.5%, against 2.5% for all adults aged 25 and over (2024).
Sources: ILOSTAT (ILO)
- +58%degree premium: tertiary-educated vs all employees (2024)
- LKR 65,000median monthly pay with tertiary education (2024)
- 5.5%unemployment, tertiary-educated adults 25+ (all adults: 2.5%, 2024)
Do graduates earn more in Sri Lanka?
| Education level | Local currency a month | PPP$ a month | vs all employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than basic education | LKR 24,000 | 274 | -42% |
| Basic education | LKR 35,000 | 400 | -15% |
| Intermediate education | LKR 48,000 | 549 | +17% |
| Advanced (tertiary) education | LKR 65,000 | 743 | +58% |
| Short-cycle tertiary | LKR 65,000 | 743 | +58% |
| Bachelor's or equivalent | LKR 83,386 | 953 | +103% |
| All levels | LKR 41,152 | 470 | — |
The degree premium ranks 57 of 128 countries with data. That is below the South Asia median of +61%.
Earnings over time (PPP$ a month)
Show the data
| Year | Tertiary median, PPP$ | All employees, PPP$ |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 772 | 419 |
| 2016 | 823 | 463 |
| 2017 | 778 | 486 |
| 2018 | 807 | 519 |
| 2019 | 834 | 593 |
| 2020 | 734 | 538 |
| 2021 | 823 | 600 |
| 2022 | 693 | 489 |
| 2023 | 663 | 442 |
| 2024 | 743 | 470 |
PPP$ values are in current international dollars, so part of the rise reflects inflation.
Which occupations pay the most in Sri Lanka?
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers Construction manager, Marketing manager, Project manager, Supply chain manager | LKR 88,923 | 1,016 | +116% |
| Professionals Software developer, Web developer, Data scientist, Data analyst | LKR 65,000 | 743 | +58% |
| Technicians and associate professionals IT support technician, Paramedic, Biomedical scientist, Paralegal | LKR 53,500 | 612 | +30% |
| Clerical support workers | LKR 47,000 | 537 | +14% |
| Plant and machine operators and assemblers | LKR 43,728 | 500 | +6% |
| Service and sales workers Police officer | LKR 40,000 | 457 | -3% |
| Craft and related trades workers | LKR 40,000 | 457 | -3% |
| Skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers | LKR 36,000 | 411 | -13% |
| Elementary occupations | LKR 30,000 | 343 | -27% |
| All occupations | LKR 41,152 | 470 | — |
Are graduates less likely to be unemployed in Sri Lanka?
| Education level | Adults 25+ | Young people 15–24 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic education | 1.5% | 15.6% |
| Intermediate education | 3.7% | 25.7% |
| Advanced (tertiary) education | 5.5% | — |
| All levels | 2.5% | 21.8% |
Unemployment among tertiary-educated adults is the 81 lowest of 130 countries with data. The South Asia median is 5.8%.
Unemployment over time, adults 25+
Show the data
| Year | Unemployment, tertiary | Unemployment, all |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 5.4% | 2.5% |
| 2016 | 5.5% | 2.1% |
| 2017 | 6.3% | 2.3% |
| 2018 | 8.0% | 2.3% |
| 2019 | 7.2% | 2.7% |
| 2020 | 7.0% | 2.9% |
| 2021 | 3.1% | 2.7% |
| 2022 | 4.9% | 2.7% |
| 2023 | 5.3% | 2.8% |
| 2024 | 5.5% | 2.5% |
Studying and working in Sri Lanka
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
- 21.8M (2025)
- GDP per person (PPP)
- $17,065 (2025)
- Tertiary enrolment (gross)
- 20.7% (2023)
Questions about graduate jobs in Sri Lanka
Do graduates earn more than non-graduates in Sri Lanka?
According to the International Labour Organization, employees in Sri Lanka with tertiary education earned a median of LKR 65,000 a month in 2024, compared with LKR 41,152 for all employees — +58%. The degree premium ranks 57 of 128 countries with data.
What is the unemployment rate for graduates in Sri Lanka?
In 2024, the unemployment rate for adults aged 25 and over with tertiary education in Sri Lanka was 5.5%, compared with 2.5% for all adults.
Which jobs pay the most in Sri Lanka?
The best-paid occupation group in Sri Lanka in 2024 was “Managers”, with median monthly earnings of LKR 88,923 (PPP$ 1,016). Professionals, the group that includes most graduate careers, earned a median of LKR 65,000.
Compare with other countries in South Asia
Compare Sri Lanka side by side
-
-
Bangladesh
+79%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2024) -
Bhutan
+64%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2025) -
Maldives
+50%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2019) -
India
+94%
more for tertiary-educated employees (2025)
Sources
- ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by education — LFS - Labour Force Survey, 2024
- ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — LFS - Labour Force Survey, 2024
- ILOSTAT — Unemployment rate by age and education — LFS - Labour Force Survey, 2024
- World Bank — World Development Indicators — Population, GDP per person (PPP) and tertiary enrolment
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). Sri Lanka: graduate salaries, jobs and unemployment. https://coursetojob.com/countries/sri-lanka/ (accessed September 26, 2026)