A person working as Project Manager in Colombo typically earns around 110,000 LKR. Salaries range from 50,600 LKR (lowest) to 175,000 LKR (highest).
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Project Manager salaries in Colombo vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Minimum Salary 50,600 LKR |
Median 105,000 LKR |
Maximum 175,000 LKR |
Salaries for the position Project Manager in Colombo range from 50,600 LKR (starting salary) to 175,000 LKR (maximum salary). It should be noted that the given figure is not the legally mandated minimum wage; rather, it represents the lowest figure reported in a salary survey that included thousands of participants and professionals from all regions of the country.
With a median salary of 105,000 LKR, half of the professionals who work as Project Manager in Colombo earn less than this amount, and the other half earn more. The median salary denotes the middle value of salaries. Ideally, you would want to belong to the group earning more than the median salary, located on the right side of the salary distribution graph.
The median is closely associated with two other values known as the 25th and 75th percentiles. By examining the salary distribution chart, it can be determined that 25% of professionals employed as Project Manager in Colombo earn less than 84,700 LKR, while 75% earn more. Similarly, the chart shows that 75% earn less than 121,000 LKR while 25% earn more.
To provide a better understanding of expected salaries, we categorized the frequently occurring salaries into different ranges. This approach provides a more precise representation of salary distribution for the job title Project Manager in Colombo compared to simply calculating the average. The majority of reported salaries, approximately 65%, fall within the range of 62,900 LKR to 91,400 LKR. About 20% of salaries are below the 62,900 LKR mark, while 10% fall within the range of 91,400 LKR to 104,000 LKR. Only 5% of individuals have salaries exceeding 104,000 LKR.
0 - 2 Years | 57,400 LKR | |
2 - 5 Years | +34% | 76,700 LKR |
5 - 10 Years | +48% | 113,000 LKR |
10 - 15 Years | +22% | 138,000 LKR |
15 - 20 Years | +9% | 151,000 LKR |
20+ Years | +8% | 163,000 LKR |
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally, the more years of experience the higher the wage. We broke down salaries by experience level for people working as Project Manager and this is what we found.
Employees with less than two years of experience earn approximately 57,400 LKR.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 76,700 LKR, 34% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 113,000 LKR, 48% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, professionals whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 138,000 LKR, 22% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 151,000 LKR, 9% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 163,000 LKR, 8% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
High School | 70,500 LKR | |
Certificate or Diploma | +18% | 82,900 LKR |
Bachelor's Degree | +45% | 120,000 LKR |
Master's Degree | +31% | 157,000 LKR |
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down salaries by education level for the position Project Manager in order to make a comparison.
Employees at this education level have an average salary of 70,500 LKR.
At this level, the average salary becomes 82,900 LKR, 18% more than the previous level.
At this level, the average salary becomes 120,000 LKR, 45% more than the previous level.
At this level, the average salary becomes 157,000 LKR, 31% more than the previous level.
A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in Sri Lanka costs anywhere from 450,000 LKR to 1,350,000 LKR and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.
You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.
Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch to a higher-paying job. The numbers seem to support the theory. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.
If you can afford the costs of higher education, the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? For the people who work as Project Manager in Sri Lanka, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 10%.
Male | 106,000 LKR | |
Female | -9% | 96,200 LKR |
Individuals working as Project Manager in Sri Lanka are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately % every months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 9% granted to employees every 17 months.
The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency
Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.
100% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while % said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from % to % of their annual salary.
Received Bonus | % | |
No Bonus | 100% |
The most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
The main two types of jobs | |
Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
The minimum pay rate per hour for people working as Project Manager in Colombo is 290 LKR. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Job Title | Average Salary |
Executive and Management | -100% | |
Account Coordinator | 96,500 LKR | -12% |
Account Director | 120,000 LKR | +9% |
Account Executive | 119,000 LKR | +8% |
Account Manager | 108,000 LKR | -2% |
Administration Manager | 112,000 LKR | +2% |
Administration Officer | 64,600 LKR | -41% |
Administration Supervisor | 98,700 LKR | -10% |
Administrative Clerk | 46,200 LKR | -58% |
Administrative Officer | 46,300 LKR | -58% |
Area Director | 103,000 LKR | -6% |
Area Manager | 108,000 LKR | -2% |
Asset Protection Associate | 125,000 LKR | +14% |
Assistant Director | 122,000 LKR | +11% |
Assistant General Manager | 123,000 LKR | +12% |
Assistant Manager | 122,000 LKR | +11% |
Assistant Managing Director | 138,000 LKR | +26% |
Assistant Operations Manager | 136,000 LKR | +24% |
Assistant Project Manager | 119,000 LKR | +8% |
Assistant Section Head | 104,000 LKR | -5% |
Assistant to CEO | 110,000 LKR | +0% |
Assistant Vice President | 127,000 LKR | +16% |
Associate Account Director | 122,000 LKR | +11% |
Associate Director | 118,000 LKR | +7% |
Bid Manager | 138,000 LKR | +26% |
Branch Manager | 128,000 LKR | +16% |
Business Development Manager | 151,000 LKR | +37% |
Business Operations Associate | 119,000 LKR | +8% |
Business Operations Lead | 120,000 LKR | +9% |
Campaign Manager | 136,000 LKR | +24% |
Catering Coordinator | 76,100 LKR | -31% |
Catering Manager | 120,000 LKR | +9% |
CEO | 234,000 LKR | +110% |
Chairman of The Board | 232,000 LKR | +110% |
Chairman Office Manager | 149,000 LKR | +36% |
Chief Commercial Officer | 175,000 LKR | +59% |
Chief Corporate Officer | 186,000 LKR | +69% |
Chief Digital Officer | 161,000 LKR | +46% |
Chief Digital Strategy Officer | 160,000 LKR | +46% |
Chief Digital Transformation Officer | 162,000 LKR | +47% |
Chief Ethics Officer | 141,000 LKR | +28% |
Chief Executive Officer | 241,000 LKR | +120% |
Chief Financial Officer | 204,000 LKR | +86% |
Chief Investment Officer | 169,000 LKR | +54% |
Chief of Staff | 109,000 LKR | -1% |
Chief Operating Officer | 177,000 LKR | +61% |
Chief Privacy Officer | 140,000 LKR | +27% |
Chief Resilience Officer | 162,000 LKR | +47% |
Chief Risk Officer | 147,000 LKR | +34% |
Chief Strategy Officer | 187,000 LKR | +70% |
Chief Trust and Safety Officer | 151,000 LKR | +37% |
Client Account Manager | 139,000 LKR | +26% |
Client Accounts Officer | 114,000 LKR | +4% |
Client Services Manager | 153,000 LKR | +39% |
Commercial Director | 152,000 LKR | +38% |
Commercial Manager | 135,000 LKR | +23% |
Commercial Project Manager | 131,000 LKR | +19% |
Commodity Broker | 95,100 LKR | -14% |
COO | 172,000 LKR | +56% |
Corporate Affairs Executive | 140,000 LKR | +27% |
Corporate Compliance Director | 150,000 LKR | +36% |
Corporate Director | 154,000 LKR | +40% |
Corporate Officer | 105,000 LKR | -5% |
Corporate Partnerships Officer | 112,000 LKR | +2% |
Country Manager | 185,000 LKR | +68% |
Department Head | 139,000 LKR | +26% |
Department Manager | 135,000 LKR | +23% |
Department Supervisor | 126,000 LKR | +15% |
Deputy Director | 155,000 LKR | +41% |
Deputy Manager | 160,000 LKR | +46% |
Director | 184,000 LKR | +67% |
Director of Accreditation | 157,000 LKR | +43% |
Director of Catering Services | 138,000 LKR | +26% |
Director of Client Services | 154,000 LKR | +40% |
Director of Facilities Management | 124,000 LKR | +13% |
Director of Operations | 149,000 LKR | +36% |
Director of Process Simplification | 118,000 LKR | +7% |
Director of Product Management | 147,000 LKR | +34% |
Director of Project Management | 154,000 LKR | +40% |
Director of Revenue Management | 142,000 LKR | +29% |
Director of Training and Development | 153,000 LKR | +39% |
Distribution Manager | 160,000 LKR | +46% |
Division Manager | 132,000 LKR | +20% |
Duty Manager | 126,000 LKR | +15% |
Engagement Manager | 163,000 LKR | +48% |
Executive Director | 225,000 LKR | +100% |
Executive Manager | 193,000 LKR | +76% |
Franchise Manager | 192,000 LKR | +75% |
General Manager | 174,000 LKR | +58% |
Generational Consultant | 119,000 LKR | +8% |
Global Master Data Manager | 166,000 LKR | +51% |
Global Technical Lead | 103,000 LKR | -6% |
Head of Investment | 151,000 LKR | +37% |
Head of Middle Office | 141,000 LKR | +28% |
Head of Projects | 148,000 LKR | +35% |
Head of Strategy | 176,000 LKR | +60% |
Head of Supply Chain | 140,000 LKR | +27% |
Head of Sustainability | 126,000 LKR | +15% |
Housing Manager | 123,000 LKR | +12% |
HSE Manager | 126,000 LKR | +15% |
Innovation Manager | 137,000 LKR | +25% |
Key Account Manager | 128,000 LKR | +16% |
Knowledge Manager | 145,000 LKR | +32% |
Location Manager | 149,000 LKR | +36% |
Logistics Executive | 125,000 LKR | +14% |
Logistics Manager | 115,000 LKR | +5% |
Management Consultant | 127,000 LKR | +16% |
Management Executive | 162,000 LKR | +47% |
Manager | 153,000 LKR | +39% |
Managing Director | 189,000 LKR | +72% |
MIS Executive | 154,000 LKR | +40% |
Ocean Services Manager | 167,000 LKR | +52% |
Online Business Manager | 212,000 LKR | +93% |
Operational Manager | 157,000 LKR | +43% |
Operations Analyst | 138,000 LKR | +26% |
Operations Assistant | 109,000 LKR | -1% |
Operations Director | 166,000 LKR | +51% |
Operations Executive | 159,000 LKR | +45% |
Operations Manager | 167,000 LKR | +52% |
Operations Supervisor | 146,000 LKR | +33% |
Planning Director | 163,000 LKR | +48% |
PMO Manager | 142,000 LKR | +29% |
Policy Administration Executive | 137,000 LKR | +25% |
Private Sector Executive | 138,000 LKR | +26% |
Product Development Manager | 147,000 LKR | +34% |
Product Executive | 137,000 LKR | +25% |
Production Executive | 151,000 LKR | +37% |
Production Manager | 154,000 LKR | +40% |
Production Supervisor | 127,000 LKR | +16% |
Program Director | 157,000 LKR | +43% |
Program Manager | 167,000 LKR | +52% |
Programme Coordinator | 115,000 LKR | +5% |
Project Control Manager | 163,000 LKR | +48% |
Project Coordinator | 94,700 LKR | -14% |
Project Management Officer | 111,000 LKR | +1% |
Project Manager | 110,000 LKR | +0% |
Project Portfolio Manager | 122,000 LKR | +11% |
Quality Manager | 128,000 LKR | +16% |
R/D Director | 143,000 LKR | +30% |
Regional Director | 213,000 LKR | +94% |
Regional Manager | 160,000 LKR | +46% |
Relationship Manager | 150,000 LKR | +36% |
Retail District Manager | 109,000 LKR | -1% |
Revenue Manager | 122,000 LKR | +11% |
Risk and Capital Manager | 172,000 LKR | +56% |
Risk Officer | 112,000 LKR | +2% |
Safety Manager | 118,000 LKR | +7% |
Section Head | 117,000 LKR | +6% |
Service Manager | 121,000 LKR | +10% |
Shift Supervisor | 95,400 LKR | -13% |
Solutions Manager | 107,000 LKR | -3% |
Supervisor | 91,200 LKR | -17% |
Supply Chain Manager | 157,000 LKR | +43% |
Surveyor | 111,000 LKR | +1% |
Technical Director | 150,000 LKR | +36% |
Technical Manager | 143,000 LKR | +30% |
Territory Manager | 149,000 LKR | +36% |
Validation Manager | 127,000 LKR | +16% |
Vice President | 193,000 LKR | +76% |
Zone Manager | 163,000 LKR | +48% |
City | Average Salary |
Colombo | 110,000 LKR |
Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in Sri Lanka is 8% on average across all career fields.
Private Sector | 86,300 LKR | |
Public Sector | +8% | 92,900 LKR |
A good and competitive compensation would range anywhere between 105,000 LKR and 121,000 LKR. This is a very rough estimate. Experience and education play a very huge part in the final earnings.
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.
The base salary for a careers like Project Manager in Colombo ranges from 50,600 LKR to 84,700 LKR. The base salary depends on many factors including experience and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary