What is a good expat salary in Cambodia?

So, you’re wondering about expat salaries in Cambodia, huh? It’s a tricky question, honestly! I mean, what’s “good” anyway? Depends entirely on your lifestyle, right?

I’ve heard of people scraping by on $1000 a month – and they seemed pretty happy, mostly. They were super frugal, though. Living in a smaller place, eating mostly street food (which, let me tell you, can be AMAZING), and not doing much fancy traveling. They made it work. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, I knew a couple who were pulling in closer to $3000, living in a nice villa outside of Siem Reap, taking weekend trips to the beaches… Totally different ballgame.

Honestly, I think a good range is probably somewhere in that $1000-$3000 bracket. You could probably squeak by on less, especially if you’re already saving up. But if you want any kind of comfort or to explore the country a bit, $2000 would probably feel a lot more comfortable, you know? It just depends.

Of course, it all comes down to your job, your experience, and where you end up living. My friend Sarah, she’s a teacher, makes a decent salary, but nothing crazy. But my brother-in-law, he’s a software engineer, he’s doing REALLY well. Way above the $3000 mark. Go figure, right? Specialized skills are always in demand, everywhere, even in Cambodia. Location matters too; Phnom Penh is probably a bit more expensive than somewhere more rural.

So there you have it, my completely unscientific, totally based on anecdotal evidence, perspective on expat salaries in Cambodia. Hopefully, it helps a little! Good luck!