How Much Do Mayors Earn in Nepal in 2026?

What is the Role of a Mayor in Nepal?

A mayor in Nepal is the head of a municipality. They are elected by the people to lead the city or town. Their main job is to make sure the local government works smoothly and serves the community well.

The mayor has many responsibilities. They are not just a figurehead; they are actively involved in planning, managing, and improving their municipality. Their work affects daily life, from roads and schools to water supply and public health. Understanding a mayor’s role also helps explain why their salary and allowances exist.

Responsibilities of a Mayor

Here are the key responsibilities in simple terms:

• Lead the municipal council and make important decisions.
• Plan and oversee development projects in the city or town.
• Manage the municipality’s budget and expenses.
• Ensure that public services like water, electricity, and sanitation run smoothly.
• Represent the municipality in government meetings and public events.
• Approve local laws and regulations made by the municipal council.
• Listen to citizens’ problems and work on solutions.

The mayor plays a central role in municipal development. They decide which projects are important, how funds are used, and which areas need improvement first. A good mayor can make a city cleaner, safer, and more organized.

Being a mayor is not just about leadership; it is also about responsibility and accountability. They need to balance the city’s needs with available resources.

In Nepal, a mayor’s work is linked to the local government salary and other benefits. Their responsibilities explain why municipalities pay mayors what they do. From running daily operations to shaping long-term plans, the mayor’s role is crucial for the growth and well-being of their community.

Mayor Salary in Nepal: Basic Pay and Allowances

The salary of a mayor in Nepal is set by the government. The mayor earns a good salary, which is based on the size of the municipality and its budget. Bigger cities like Kathmandu or Pokhara usually offer higher pay compared to smaller towns.

Basic Salary Range

• Small municipalities: around NPR 30,000 to 32,000 per month.
• Medium municipalities: around NPR 32,000 to 38,000 per month.
• Large cities: around NPR 40,000 to 46,000 per month.

This is the basic pay. On top of this, mayors also receive several allowances that make their total income higher.

Common Allowances

• Housing allowance: Some municipalities provide official residence or extra money for housing.
• Transportation allowance: Mayors may get a government vehicle or fuel allowance.
• Official expense allowance: Money to cover meetings, events, and other work-related costs.
• Other perks: Medical benefits, phone bills, and sometimes performance bonuses.

These allowances are important because they help mayors carry out their duties without worrying about personal expenses.

The total mayor's income, when you add the basic salary and all allowances, can be quite different depending on the city. That’s why a mayor in a big city earns more than a mayor in a small town.

Understanding the local official pay scale helps citizens know how public funds are used. It also explains why the mayor’s role comes with responsibility. The salary is meant to support their work in managing the municipality and serving the community.

In short, the mayor's salary in Nepal is more than just a number. It includes basic pay, allowances, and benefits that help mayors perform their job properly.

How Much Do Mayors Earn in Major Cities?

Mayors in major cities earn from NPR 38,000 to NPR 46,000, depending on whether the city is a metropolitan, sub-metropolitan, or municipality. The metropolitan cities offer the highest salaries, and smaller municipalities offer less. The variation reflects the city’s size, administrative responsibilities, and budget. While this is significantly less than the Prime Minister's salary, it is still much higher than the average salary in Nepal and reflects the responsibilities of managing a city. Here’s a closer look at some major cities:

• Kathmandu: Kathmandu, being the capital and a metropolitan city, offers the highest salary for mayors, i.e., NPR 46,000. A mayor working in Kathmandu manages a large population and oversees significant administrative responsibilities, which is why the pay is at the top of the range.
   
• Lalitpur: Lalitpur is also classified as a metropolitan city. The mayor receives the same pay as Kathmandu because of similar administrative duties and urban management responsibilities.
   
• Bhaktapur: Although smaller than Kathmandu and Lalitpur, Bhaktapur is a metropolitan city, so the mayor’s salary is the same. The city’s historical and cultural significance adds to the importance of the mayor’s role.
   
• Pokhara: Pokhara is a sub-metropolitan city, so the mayor’s salary is slightly lower than that of metropolitan cities, i.e., NPR 43,000. Still, the pay is substantial because the mayor manages both urban planning and tourism-related responsibilities.
   
• General Range: For smaller municipalities and towns, the salary starts around NPR 38,000. The amount increases with the city’s size, responsibilities, and classification, with metropolitan mayors earning the highest pay.

Additional Perks and Benefits for Mayors

Myors also receive additional perks and benefits that help them perform their duties effectively. These perks are designed to support their work in communication, travel, public engagement, and administrative responsibilities. However, the type and extent of these benefits can vary widely from city to city, depending on local government decisions and financial resources. Understanding these additional perks provides a clearer picture of what the role of a mayor entails beyond the basic salary.

1. Housing & Transport

Like any other government job, mayors also receive transport and sometimes housing-related support. Certain provincial laws allow “facilities” for local representatives, which may include vehicle use, fuel, and transport allowance. This means a mayor might have access to a municipal vehicle or receive fuel/transport allowance for official duties, which helps in traveling across the city for public work. In some municipalities, housing or rent allowances are also provided to elected officials, although a dedicated “official residence” is not guaranteed. The availability of housing or transport perks depends heavily on the city’s wealth, municipal assembly decisions, and local budget allocations.

2. Communication

Communication allowance is one of the most codified benefits for local representatives. For example, metropolitan-city mayors may receive a fixed monthly allowance (e.g., NPR 3,000) to cover phone or internet costs. This ensures that mayors can stay reachable for city management, public calls, coordination, and other official duties without personal expense. In smaller municipalities, local assemblies sometimes provide smaller communication allowances, reflecting the local discretion and budget flexibility. Overall, this perk ensures continuous connectivity and smooth governance.

3. Travel 

Travel allowances are part of the perks framework for mayors and local representatives. For metropolitan-city mayors, daily travel allowances may be provided for domestic and foreign official travel, along with travel insurance coverage. Such provisions may help mayors attend meetings, conferences, oversee projects, and coordinate with provincial or national authorities. However, whether a particular mayor receives these allowances depends on the local government’s adherence to laws and its financial capacity.

4. Hospitality

Hospitality funds cover expenses for hosting official events, welcoming guests, or organizing community functions. Some provincial laws allow local units to provide allowances for transport, monitoring, meetings, and hospitality. These funds help mayors carry out public and ceremonial responsibilities without using personal money. The availability of hospitality funds varies, depending on the decisions of the municipal assembly and the city’s financial resources.

5. Local Discretion and Variation

The most important factor affecting mayoral perks is local discretion. Municipal assemblies decide on allowances and facilities, leading to variations across cities and municipalities. Some mayors may enjoy vehicles, fuel allowances, communication stipends, travel benefits, and hospitality funds, while others may only receive basic salary and minimal allowances. This variation depends on budget availability, political decisions, and local priorities.

What is the Salary of Balen per Month?

Balen Shah, popularly known as Balen, is the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Being the head of Nepal’s capital, his official pay is among the highest for mayors in the country. While the salary may seem modest compared to private-sector earnings, it comes with several allowances and benefits that support his official duties.

Monthly Salary and Allowances

• Official monthly salary: NPR 46,000 (as per government regulations for metropolitan mayors).
• Communication allowance: Fixed amount for phone and internet usage.
• Travel and transportation: Provision for official transport or fuel allowance during official duties.
• Official expense allowance: Money allocated to cover work-related meetings, events, and public functions.
• Other perks: Minor allowances for medical, hospitality, and official engagement support.

In addition to the official salary, Balen’s total income may include earnings from private ventures, like his engineering business and music career. These additional sources significantly increase his monthly earnings beyond the statutory mayoral salary. Despite the extra income, his government pay reflects the responsibilities and workload involved in managing Nepal’s largest city, ensuring smooth municipal operations and public services.

How to Become a Mayor in Nepal?

To become a mayor in Nepal, you must be a Nepali citizen, meet the minimum age requirement, be registered as a voter in the municipality, and win the mayoral election through a majority vote. Here are the steps explained in detail:

1. Meet the Eligibility Criteria

To become a mayor in Nepal, you must first meet the basic eligibility requirements. You need to be a Nepali citizen and meet the minimum age requirement, which is 21 years for municipal mayors and 25 years for metropolitan or sub-metropolitan city mayors. Additionally, you must be registered as a voter in the municipality where you plan to contest. Candidates are also expected to be free from any legal disqualifications, such as criminal convictions or conflicts of interest. Meeting these criteria is the first essential step toward running for office.

2. Join a Political Party or Contest Independently

Most mayors in Nepal are affiliated with political parties. Being part of a party provides access to resources, organizational support, and a platform to reach voters more effectively. Independent candidates are allowed to contest elections as well, but they may face more challenges in mobilizing support and organizing campaigns. Party affiliation often helps candidates get endorsements, funding, and access to campaign networks, which can significantly increase their chances of winning.

3. File Your Candidacy

The next step is to officially file your candidacy with the Election Commission during the designated election period. You need to submit all required documents, including your citizenship certificate, voter registration proof, and party endorsement if applicable. Candidates are also required to pay a security deposit, which is refunded if they secure a certain percentage of votes. Completing this process correctly ensures your name appears on the ballot and confirms your eligibility to participate in the election.

4. Run a Campaign

Running a campaign is a crucial part of the election process. Candidates must engage with citizens to communicate their vision, policies, and plans for the municipality. This involves organizing public meetings, door-to-door outreach, and using social media to raise awareness. A strong campaign highlights solutions to local issues such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and municipal services. Connecting with voters and building trust is key to securing votes.

5. Win the Election

Mayors in Nepal are elected through a first-past-the-post system, meaning the candidate with the highest number of votes wins. Transparency and fairness during the campaign are essential to avoid legal challenges. Once the votes are counted and a winner is declared, the elected candidate officially becomes the mayor of the municipality or metropolitan city, ready to take on the responsibilities of the office.

6. Take Oath and Begin Duties

After the Election Commission announces the results, the mayor takes an official oath of office. Once sworn in, the mayor is responsible for city governance, overseeing development projects, managing the municipal budget, and representing the citizens in all matters of local administration. Effective leadership, ethical conduct, and commitment to public service are essential to succeed in this role and bring positive change to the municipality.