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Average Salary in Thailand in 2024

Author: Madalina Roman

04 October 2024

The average salary in Thailand per month is approximately ฿15,410 ($ 471.25) as of 2023, according to Global Economic Data, Indicators, Charts & Forecasts. The yearly equivalent is an average monthly salary of ฿184,920 ($5,655.04).

However, as in every country, average salaries fluctuate based on different factors. This article tackles the average salary in Thailand based on region, the industry someone is working in, the degrees earned, and other factors.

Please note:

All data in this article are based on official statistics and reports, such as the National Statistical Office of Thailand. All data is linked at the end of the article.
The official currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB, ฿).
All figures in the article are gross salaries.
One Thai Baht equals 0.031 USD at the moment of writing this article. Please double-check the exchange rate at the time of reading.

Key takeaways:

Average annual salary: ฿184,920 ($5,655.04). Source: CEIC
Average monthly salary: ฿15,410 ($471.25). Source: CEIC
The average monthly income per household in Bangkok (capital), 2023: ฿39,100. Source: Statista
Daily minimum wage: Between ฿‎328($10.03) and ฿370($11.31). Source: Ministry of Labor
Gender pay gap: 10%. Source: UN Women’s 2020 report.
Thailand is currently bidding to be included in the OECD, which could benefit Thailand’s policies and economic status and allow it to be seen as a country with global governance power. Source: World Economic Forum

Average salary in Thailand

According to Global Economic Data, Indicators, Charts & Forecasts, the average salary in Thailand in 2023 per month was ฿15,410 ($ 471.25). The average yearly salary in Thailand in 2023 was ฿184,920 ($5,655.04).

The latest data on average salaries from The Bank of Thailand reveals that salaries have decreased in the first quarter of 2024 to ฿15,052.42 ($460.32) per month after reaching an all-time high in the third quarter of 2023 of ฿15,452 ($472.54).

The below graph from Tradingeconomics.com shows rising average salaries in Thailand from 2021, peaking in Q3 2022, followed by fluctuations and a decline by Q1 2024. Despite a recovery in late 2023, salaries decreased again in early 2024, which might be a reflection of potential economic adjustments.

Source: Tradingeconomics.com

Minimum wage

The salary that sparks the most intense debates in Thailand is the minimum wage, as it is considered to not balance worker welfare and economic competitiveness. In Thailand, minimum wages were first established in 1973 by the Thailand Wage Committee, and they are reviewed yearly, considering living conditions, inflation rates, and the cost of living.

It is important to note that the minimum wage in Thailand varies by region and the level of skill of workers. It is also set on a daily basis, compared to the frequently met hourly minimum wage. In 2023 it fluctuated between ฿‎328($10.03) and ฿370($11.31) per day, with the average of ฿337($10.31) daily.

On May 2, 2024, Reuters announced that the Thai government plans to increase the current minimum wage to a higher minimum wage of ฿400 ($10.84) from October 2024.

Here are Thailand’s minimum wage rates in Thai cities:

Provinces	Minimum wage rate (THB/day)
Phuket	370 ($10.57)
Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon	363 ($10.37)
Chon Buri, Rayong	361 ($10.31)
Chachoengsao	350 ($10.00)
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya	350 ($10.00)
Chiang Mai, Prachin Buri, Saraburi	350 ($10.00

Source: Ministry of Labor

Note that all employees in Thailand are covered by the Labour Protection Act of 1998 and must receive a daily minimum wage, therefore a monthly minimum wage by employment contract.

Minimum wage rates for skilled workers

The Thai government has implemented minimum wages for skilled workers since January 2023. The daily salary ranges between ฿465 and ฿700 for skilled Thai employees.

Profession	Minimum wage per day
Childcare nurse	฿530
Excavator operator	฿570
Hydrotherapist	฿500–600
Industrial robot technician	฿545–715
Structural wheel technicians	฿500
Welding operator	฿520
Nutrition therapists	฿500-600

Source: Ministry of Labor

Average salary by region

Same as with the minimum wage, the average salary varies depending on someone’s location in Thailand. According to Statista, in 2023, the highest salaries in Thailand were in Bangkok and the greater Bangkok area. Bangkok is Thailand’s urban hub with the highest density of population, skilled workers, and labor costs. The average monthly salary in Bangkok amounted to ฿39,100.

In all other regions, the average salaries were considerably lower, namely ฿30,200 in the Central regions, decreasing up to ฿22,520 in the Northeast.

Source: Statista

Average salary by education

It is well-known that higher education often leads to higher salaries, but the specific income increase from earning a degree can vary from country to country. According to Salaryexplorer.com, findings based on Thai employee’s education level reveal the following:

Workers with a certificate or diploma earned an average of 17% more than those who only completed high school.

Professionals with a Bachelor’s Degree earned 24% more than their counterparts with a certificate or diploma.
Those who obtained a Master’s Degree earned 29% more than those with a Bachelor’s.
While performing the same job, professionals with a PhD earned an average of 23% more than those with a Master’s Degree.

Average salary by industry

According to the National Statistical Office, average wages are generally lower in the private sector compared to the government sector. Based on data from 2024, the average private-sector salary ranged from around ฿19,041.28 in March 2024 to ฿21,061.25 in June 2024. Wages in the government sector peaked in June 2024 at ฿28,888.37.

Data from the National Statistical Office showcases the below figures for each sector:

Agriculture: Thailand has the lowest salaries among the mentioned wages in 2024 in the agriculture sector. Figures started at 5,138.21 in March, went up to 6,000.00 in June, and 7,919.80 in May. For 2024, these are the only months listed with salaries, likely due to seasonal work.
Manufacturing: Situated in the middle range, when compared to the other swages, the manufacturing industry benefits from considerably higher salaries such as ฿18,572.95(June) ฿20,668.07(May) or ฿16,614.67(March).
Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning: This sector offers higher wages, particularly for government jobs, peaking at ฿35,615.65 in May 2024.
Information and communication: The industry has some of the highest wages, with private sector salaries peaking at ฿39,245.17 in July 2024.
Financial and insurance: High wages in both sectors, with private jobs offering around ฿35,616.32 in July 2024.

Average salary by occupation

According to Adecco Thailand Salary Guide 2024, the highest-paying positions in Thailand are in the tech sector. Examples listed below are Back End Developer and UX/UI Designer, both with a maximum monthly salary of ฿250,000. Other high paying industries are Finance and Healthcare.

The job categories with the lowest salary ranges include Administration, Hospitality & Tourism, and Retail & Consumer Products. These service industries generally have a larger pool of available talent or lower barriers to entry, which result in more competition for positions and lower salaries.

Job Position(Experience 7 years and up)	Salary (Baht, Per month)
Application Engineer	100 – 140k
Back End Developer	120 – 250k
Software development and Software operation	100 – 180k
UX / UI Designer	120 – 250k
Engineer (Mechanical / Chemical / QA / AC)	70 – 250k
Electrical Engineer	55 – 140k
Sales & Marketing Manager	80 – 150k
Costing Executive	70 – 100k
Administrative Manager	65 – 140k
Customer Service Manager	80 – 130k
HR Generalist / HR Specialist	90 – 130k
Legal Consultant / Specialist	50 – 100k

Source: Adecco Thailand Salary Guide 2024

Job Category	Highest Salary (THB/month)	Years of Experience	Mid Salary (THB/month)	Years of Experience	Lowest Salary (THB/month)	Years of Experience
Top Management	600.000	More than 7 years	300.000	More than 7 years	100.000	More than 7 years
Sales & Business Development	500.000	More than 7 years	100.000	3-7 years	18.000	0-3 years
Finance & Accounting	500.000	More than 7 years	80.000	3-7 years	15.000	0-3 years
Information Technology	500.000	More than 7 years	100.000	3-7 years	20.000	0-3 years
Engineering	350.000	More than 7 years	80.000	3-7 years	15.000	0-3 years
Marketing	400.000	More than 7 years	70.000	3-7 years	20.000	0-3 years
Human Resources	300.000	More than 7 years	80.000	3-7 years	18.000	0-3 years
Supply Chain & Logistics	400.000	More than 7 years	70.000	3-7 years	16.000	0-3 years
Legal & Compliance	250.000	More than 7 years	80.000	3-7 years	20.000	0-3 years
Administration	200.000	More than 7 years	60.000	3-7 years	18.000	0-3 years
Healthcare	600.000	More than 7 years	100.000	3-7 years	18.000	0-3 years
Property / Construction	550.000	More than 7 years	80.000	3-7 years	15.000	0-3 years
Hospitality & Tourism	150.000	More than 7 years	55.000	3-7 years	30.000	3-7 years
Retail & Consumer Products	250.000	More than 7 years	75.000	3-7 years	18.000	0-3 years
Non-Profit / Public Sector	300.000	More than 7 years	80.000	3-7 years	20.000	0-3 years

Source: Adecco Thailand Salary Guide 2024

Gender pay gap

According to UN Women’s 2020 report, women won 10% less than men for the same hours of work and the same job. There is, nonetheless, progress towards parity moving at a slower pace in the last ten years in Thailand, according to the World Economic Forum 2024 report.

As in many other Southeast Asian countries and not only, these issues are tied back to gender stereotypes and gender role expectations.

According to the World Bank Bridging the gap: Inequality and jobs in Thailand report, the overall gender wage gap in Thailand has slowly narrowed over time, driven by the endowment effects in favor of women, while the returns to education and experience have persistently benefited men.

The analysis of the gender pay gap for different years (2001, 2010, 2015, and 2022) and at various levels of weekly wages reveals that women’s qualifications and skills (represented by the blue lines) have improved faster than men’s, especially for higher-paying jobs. In contrast, the benefits that men receive from their education and experience (represented by the dotted lines) have increased more than for women, making the differences in these benefits larger.

Source: World Bank Bridging the gap: Inequality and jobs in Thailand report

Interestingly, the presence of a young child or elderly members in a household does not seem to affect the gender pay differentials, suggesting that while these factors may influence women’s labor force participation, they do not impact their returns once they are employed.

Hallmarks of the labor market in Thailand

An ideal hub for regional operations and trade: With its strategic location in Southeast Asia and developed infrastructure, Thailand provides easy access to other ASEAN markets, such as China and India. On top of that, its highly educated in international schools and skilled workforce, particularly in the manufacturing and service sectors, makes Thailand attractive to foreign investors.

Competitive labor costs: While wages have been increasing, labor costs in Thailand remain competitive compared to more developed economies, offering a balance between skill and affordability.
Pro-investment policies: The Thai government has implemented various policies to attract foreign investment, including tax incentives, streamlined regulations, and special economic zones.
Developed tourism infrastructure: Tourism is a critical driver of jobs in Thailand, with many Thai workers employed in hospitality, food services, and related industries. However, these jobs often offer low wages and limited benefits.
Informal sector and wage issues: Thailand’s labor market is characterized by a large informal sector, where minimum wage laws are not enforced by a tripartite wage committee. This leads to significant non-compliance issues, and many workers in this sector lack social protections such as health insurance or pensions.
Demographic challenges: The country faces a declining working-age population due to aging demographics, which may lead to increased reliance on migrant workers.
Economic transition and opportunities: Thailand has transitioned from an agricultural economy to a more industrial and service-based one, creating opportunities for skilled workers in technology, manufacturing, and tourism.
Government reforms and debates: The Thai government has been implementing reforms to improve labor rights, focusing on minimum wage policies, social security, and protection for informal workers. There’s an ongoing debate about the impact of wage increases, with concerns about businesses potentially hiring cheaper migrant labor balanced against arguments that higher wages could stimulate domestic consumption and boost productivity.
Migration dynamics: Thailand is a key destination for migrant workers from neighboring countries, especially in sectors like construction, fishing, and domestic work. This influx of foreign labor significantly influences the country’s labor dynamics and migration policies.

Employee taxes and benefits:

Social Security: Employees in Thailand are subject to Social Security contributions. For Social Security, employees contribute 5% of their salary, matched by employers, with an additional 2.5% from the government.
The PIT(Personal Income Tax (PIT)) progressive system: It ranges from 0% for incomes up to ฿150,000 to 35% for incomes above ฿5,000,001, applying to gross income after deductions and allowances. This tax structure reflects the government’s efforts to balance revenue collection with social equity considerations.
Unemployment benefits: Thailand’s unemployment benefits system provides support to insured persons who have contributed for at least six months within a 15-month period prior to unemployment. Eligibility is contingent on factors such as the ability to work, readiness for suitable jobs, and regular registration at government employment offices. The system also covers temporary unemployment caused by force majeure events, reflecting Thailand’s effort to provide a safety net for workers in various circumstances of job loss.
Maternity benefits: Thailand provides maternity benefits to insured persons who have contributed for at least 5 months within a 15-month period before receiving medical services. The benefits include a lump sum medical service fee of ฿15,000 per childbirth and a maternity leave allowance for insured female individuals equivalent to 50% of their average wage for 90 days. However, these benefits are limited to the first two children.
Severance pay: Severance pay in Thailand is mandatory for both foreign and domestic employees upon termination. The amount is based on employment duration, ranging from 30 days’ wages for those employed 120 days to one year, up to 400 days’ wages for 20+ years of service. This structure provides financial support during job transitions.

Comparison with other countries

When comparing Thailand to other East and Southeast Asia countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Japan, there are notable differences in income levels and labor dynamics. For this article, we are comparing Thailand to the countries mentioned above, as we have done comprehensive research on each country.

Here are the differences in minimum salary, the average wage, and other elements:

Average salary: Thailand’s average monthly salary of ฿15,410 ($471.25) is higher than Vietnam’s, where the average salary is 7,500,000 VND ($300), but significantly lower than Japan’s average salary, where employees earn around 335,116 JPY/month ($2,446).
Minimum wage: Thailand’s daily minimum wage ranges from ฿328 to ฿370 ($10.03 to $11.31), higher than Vietnam’s monthly minimum of 3,450,000 VND ($144) but much lower than Japan’s hourly minimum wage of 1,004 JPY ($6.86).
Economic status: Thailand is an emerging economy still striving for inclusion in the OECD, which would elevate its global economic standing, which is similar to Vietnam or Philippines. Philippines, on the other hand, is on track to achieve Upper Middle-Income Country (UMIC) status, signaling its growing economy. When compared to Japan, one of the developed countries with robust economic conditions and labor protection, Thailand lags behind.

FAQ

What is the average income in Thailand?

As of 2023, the average monthly income in Thailand is ฿15,410 ($471.25), translating to an annual salary of approximately ฿184,920 ($5,655.04). However, salaries vary widely based on factors such as region, industry, and education. Thai people living in Bangkok, for example, have an average monthly income per household of ฿39,100.

What is the basic salary in Thailand?

The basic salary in Thailand refers to the minimum wage, which varies by region and is set on a daily basis rather than hourly. In 2023, the daily minimum wage ranged between ฿328 ($10.03) and ฿370 ($11.31), depending on the province. For example, Phuket had one of the highest rates at ฿370, while Bangkok was set at ฿363. There are also minimum wages for skilled workers, with daily salaries ranging from ฿465 to ฿700, depending on the job.

What is a good salary to live in Thailand?

A “good” salary to live comfortably in Thailand depends on lifestyle and location. In major cities like Bangkok, a salary of ฿40,000–฿60,000 ($1,230–$1,850) per month is considered good for a middle-class lifestyle, covering rent, utilities, food, transportation, and leisure. Outside of major cities, ฿25,000–฿35,000 ($770–$1,080) per month can be sufficient for a more modest lifestyle, especially in less expensive regions.
These figures can vary significantly based on personal spending habits, family size, and housing choices. Living in central Bangkok tends to be more expensive, particularly for rent, compared to rural or smaller cities.

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