CEO Salary in Nepal – Pay Scale, Perks & Growth Potential

CEO Salary in Nepal – Pay Scale, Perks & Growth Potential

CEO Salary in Nepal
Kumari Job
Kumari Job
  Jul 14, 2025
Content Writer

Many people in Nepal are often curious about how much a CEO earns. CEOs are the highest-ranking leaders of a company. They are responsible for making big decisions and guiding the company toward success. Because of this, their role is not only crucial but also falls under the category of the highest paying jobs in Nepal.

The salary of a CEO in Nepal can vary significantly. It depends on the size of the company, industry, and the CEO’s experience. In this blog, we will explain how much CEOs in Nepal earn each month. We’ll also explore what affects their pay, how it compares to other top jobs, and what someone needs to become a CEO.

What is the Average Salary of a CEO in Nepal? 

The average salary of a CEO in Nepal typically ranges from NPR 100,000 to over NPR 2,000,000, depending on the company and industry. Salaries for CEOs can vary significantly between small businesses, large corporations, and banks. Key factors that influence their earnings include the size of the company, its profitability, and the CEO's level of experience.
 

Let us take a look at the CEO's salary in small enterprises, large companies, multinational companies, and banks.

What is the Average Salary of a CEO in Nepal? 

1. Small and Mid-Sized Enterprises

CEOs of small businesses or start-ups generally earn NPR 1,00,000 to NPR 3,00,000 each month. Small companies may not be able to afford a lot of money in the beginning, so they pay lower fixed remuneration. 
 

Still, most CEOs in startups can get other incentives. For example, they may get a small percentage of the profit of the company or even company shares. If the company performs well, the CEO can also receive more in the future. Though the monthly salary can be low at the beginning, the long-term value can increase if the business is successful.

2. Private Companies and Large Corporations

Large private company or large industry CEOs typically take around NPR 4,00,000 to NPR 8,00,000 each month. These organizations are often involved in the telecom, construction, manufacturing, or large service organizations industries.
 

These CEOs are paid a fixed salary and also bonuses. Bonuses are extra money they get for their performance or for helping the company make more profit. They may even get other benefits such as travel allowance, medical insurance, and a company car.
 

Since these companies are stable and earn good revenue, they are able to provide good salaries to their CEOs. CEOs in these companies also work in big teams and have more responsibility, which aligns their pay with the pressures of their roles..

3. Multinational Companies (MNCs) and Banking Sector

CEOs of multinational companies (MNCs), commercial banks, or large insurance companies earn the highest salaries. Their monthly salary can be between NPR 10,00,000 to NPR 20,00,000+. Not only do they earn a high monthly salary, but they also enjoy many other benefits. Some of the usual benefits are:
 

  • Company stock or stock options
  • Valuable car or car allowance
  • House or housing allowance
  • Foreign travels
  • Health and life insurance cover
  • Performance-based incentive
     

These CEOs have the highest years of experience. Some of them have also worked or studied abroad. These are very competitive positions, where CEOs have to deal with large teams, complex operations, and global markets. As a result, companies pay top salaries to acquire the best talent and keep them.

Here’s a quick look:

Company Type

Monthly CEO Salary Range

Small and Mid-Sized Companies

NPR 1,00,000 – NPR 3,00,000

Private Companies & Large Firms

NPR 4,00,000 – NPR 8,00,000

MNCs and Banking Sector

NPR 10,00,000 – NPR 20,00,000+

What Factors Affect CEO Salary in Nepal?

The CEO's salary in Nepal is highly affected by factors such as experience level, company type and size, educational background, skills, and more. These things decide how much a CEO is valued and what the company is ready to pay. Even in the same industry, two CEOs can earn very different amounts based on these factors.
 

Let’s discuss these factors in detail:

Factors Affecting CEO Salary in Nepal

1. Years of Management and Leadership Experience

The greater the experience in leadership and management, the more they are paid. Individuals with more years of experience managing companies and leading teams are considered more competent and confident. Organizations prefer to hire more experienced leaders and are willing to compensate them better.
 

For example, a 15-year-experienced CEO who can manage huge teams and solve business problems will be paid more than a fresh one. This difference is due to the fact that experienced CEOs can make better decisions, avoid mistakes, and make the company grow faster.  A CEO's past achievements (e.g., increasing company revenues or expanding profits) also make them more valuable to the market. 

2. Company Type, Size, and Revenue

The type of company that a CEO works for makes a difference when it comes to their pay. In a small or medium-sized organization with fewer employees and less revenue, the CEO can earn between NPR 1,00,000 and NPR 3,00,000 per month. These organizations have limited budgets and cannot offer very high salaries.
 

On the other hand, a CEO of a large business, bank, or multinational corporation can earn much more, even NPR 10,00,000 or above a month. These companies have much more money, big teams, and high business operations. So they are willing to pay more for a good administrator who can manage everything without any problem. 
 

Also, if the company is funded by outside investors or has received financing (typically in the case of startups), they may offer greater compensation or even issue company stocks to the CEO.

3. Educational Background and Skills 

Education also plays an important role in deciding the salary of a CEO. CEOs holding degrees from top universities or overseas colleges are typically paid a higher salary. If the CEO holds an MBA or has pursued business, finance, or management studies from overseas, organizations pay a higher salary package.
 

This is so because such education shows that the CEO knows international business, new trends, and wise planning. In Nepal, many senior CEOs of banks, telecos, and insurance firms possess MBAs or other advanced degrees.


Along with education, special skills like financial planning, strategic thinking, and good communication also set a CEO apart. The more skilled they become, the greater they are valued and rewarded in the market. 

Tip: If you aim to become a CEO, start by developing leadership skills early and consider pursuing an MBA graduates with MBAs from international universities in Nepal reportedly earn up to 40% more in executive roles.

How does CEO Pay Compare to Other Executive Roles in Nepal? 

CEOs usually get the highest compensation in an organization. Their pay in Nepal per month is from NPR 1,00,000 to over NPR 15,00,000, depending on the organization and their experience. What about other senior positions like CFO (Chief Financial Officer), COO (Chief Operating Officer), and CMO (Chief Marketing Officer)? Do they earn the same amount? Let's compare CEO compensation with these other executive positions in simple terms.

1. Comparison to Salaries of CFO, COO, and CMO

While the CEO is paid the most in most businesses, other senior executives are also well paid. Here's how their salaries compare:

a) CFO (Chief Financial Officer)

A CFO handles the company's money. A CFO is in charge of budgeting, expenses, savings, and financial planning. A CFO in Nepal can earn NPR 2,00,000 to NPR 8,00,000 per month, depending on the company's size. In banks or large corporations, a CFO's salary can be even higher.
 

Although their job is quite important, they make a bit less than the CEO as they work under the CEO and are mainly focused on money.

b) COO (Chief Operating Officer)

A COO manages daily work at the organization. They make sure everything runs smoothly ,  from production to delivery. COOs in Nepal make NPR 2,50,000 to NPR 9,00,000 per month.
 

Their salary is different depending on the size of the firm and the nature of the activity it is involved. A COO who is employed by a manufacturing plant or an extensive services firm can earn more because of extra work. However, in all cases, their salary is lower than that of the CEO.

c) CMO (Chief Marketing Officer)

A CMO handles marketing and sales. He/she is in charge of advertising, branding, and customer growth. He/she has an incredibly important role to play in customer-reliant businesses, including media, telecom, or e-shopping. CMOs in Nepal are remunerated NPR 1,50,000 to NPR 7,00,000 per month, based on the size of the business.
 

CMOs also report to the CEO. Their pay is generally lower than that of both the CEO and CFO unless the company is very marketing-intensive.

2. Incentive Packages and Responsibilities Variance

Other than pay, top executives also receive bonuses,  extra compensation, or rewards for performance or corporate profit. Let's break it down:

a) CEO Incentives

  • Performance bonuses
  • Stock options (company shares)
  • Housing or car allowance
  • Paid holidays and foreign travels
  • Insurance (health, life)
     

As the entire company is responsible to the CEO, the CEO will usually be given the biggest incentive package. When the company does well, an extra bonus falls to the CEO.

b) CFO Incentives

  • Performance-based bonus (financial targets)
  • Yearly profit-sharing
  • Health insurance and, occasionally, a car allowance
     

The CFOs get their bonuses based on how well they manage money and profits, but their compensation is usually smaller than that of a CEO.

c) COO Incentives

  • Bonus for run-the-ship efficiency and cost saving
  • Travel and vehicle allowances
  • Health and safety cover
     

COOs are rewarded for making the company operate more efficiently. They care about the day-to-day results, not long-term plans like CEOs.

d) CMO Incentives

  • A reward for attaining sales or marketing objectives
  • Travel and branding event benefits
  • Communication and the internet benefits
     

CMOs get paid if they bring in more customers or make the company more visible. Their pay can be lower than that of the CFO or COO, but still decent in good marketing companies.

3. Executive Team vs CEO Compensation Structure

Let's now learn why the compensation for the CEO differs from the rest of the executive team structurally:

a) Responsibility Level

  • CEO: Is responsible for the whole firm,  success or failure, planning, or growth.
  • Other Executives: Manage one area of the company (e.g., finance, marketing, or operations). They help the CEO but don't manage the company.
     

Because the CEO is entirely responsible, their pay is the highest.

b) Decision-Making Power

  • The CEO has the final say on the most crucial matters.
  • Other executives offer recommendations, give reports, and make suggestions, but the CEO chooses what to do.
     

Thus, more pay accompanies more pressure and responsibility.

c) Board and Investor Role

  • The Board of Directors is to whom the CEO reports, and from whom he or she may seek input from investors.
  • Other executives usually report to the CEO, not the board.
     

This also gives more importance (and pressure) to the CEO role, and therefore the higher pay.

 

Did You Know? According to reports from Nepal Rastra Bank and various HR surveys, CEOs of top banks in Nepal can earn over NPR 2 crore annually, including bonuses and perks. That’s more than 10 times the national average income.

Do Startup CEOs Earn Well in Nepal?

In Nepal, startup CEOs do not often receive very high salaries on their first few days. If a startup is in its early stage, the company doesn't have much money. Most of the budget goes into product development, forming a small team, and basic expenses. In this stage, the CEO may get NPR 50,000 to NPR 1,50,000 monthly, sometimes even less. And if they are the founders, they may receive no salary at all in the early days. They care more about growing the company than about personal earnings. But when the startup starts generating funds, the salary may be higher. Growth-stage CEOs may have NPR 2,00,000 to NPR 4,00,000 or even more, depending upon the business size and revenue. Growth also has better benefits, bonuses, and a more stable income. 
 

Rather than big paychecks, most startup CEOs receive equity, a certain percentage of the ownership of the company, in their compensation. This is because they can earn a lot in the future if the company prospers. For example, if the startup becomes very large or is acquired, the small equity held by the CEO can become worth crores or lakhs. This is a long-term advantage and not something that he gets on a monthly basis. Hence, most startup CEOs accept lower salaries in the beginning because they believe the equity will give more returns in the future. It is a risk, but it can lead to tremendous success. In Nepal, this model is becoming more common, especially in the tech and digital startup sector. It still requires patience and trust in the company's future.
 

Here, the income of a startup CEO is also dependent on whether the startup is bootstrapped or funded. Funded startups do have outside investors who give money to grow the firm. In these cases, CEOs can offer competitive salaries and benefits packages, even at an initial stage. They can use investor money to invest in the team and compensate themselves fairly. 
 

In bootstrapped startups, they invest their own money and expand slowly without any outside help. In these situations, the CEO will take an extremely fair or no salary to save costs. Bootstrapped CEOs are also more careful in spending, hence their pay is usually lower until the business makes enough money. Funded or not, the salary of a startup CEO changes with the funds, phase, and growth model of the company.

Conclusion

CEO salaries in Nepal can be very different depending on experience, the type of company, the industry, and personal skills. CEOs at new startups might earn less at first, but can make more as the company gets bigger or if they own part of it. CEOs at banks and larger companies usually earn higher salaries and have more benefits. For students or anyone wanting to be a CEO, it's important to build leadership skills, get real-world experience, and keep learning.

Having a good education helps, but having the right attitude and being dedicated is most important. Becoming a CEO takes time, but it can lead to great success. As businesses in Nepal grow, there is a greater need for good leaders. With patience, passion, and hard work, many people can become a CEO.

Ready to aim for one of the highest paying jobs in Nepal? Start building your career with our guide on how to find a job in Nepal.

Frequently Asked Questions

The monthly salary of a CEO in Nepal ranges from NPR 100,000 to NPR 1,000,000+. It highly depends on the years of experience, type of company, education, skills, and more.

The banking, insurance, and multinational company sectors pay the highest CEO salaries. These roles often include extra perks and bonuses, too.

The CEOs of banks in Nepal earn around NPR 3 lakhs to NPR 20 lakhs+ monthly. Their monthly pay often includes bonuses, allowances, and other benefits.

Yes, startup CEOs do get paid, but their salary is often low in the beginning. Many rely on company growth or equity for future earnings.

Most CEOs have a strong educational background, often with an MBA or business degree. Leadership experience and good decision-making skills are also very important.

CEOs in private companies usually earn more than those in public or government-owned firms. Private companies offer better bonuses and flexible pay structures.

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