Hiring & Employment in Cambodia: 2025 Guide
Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Cambodia.
Capital / Economic hubs
Phnom Penh (capital), Sihanoukville, Siem Reap, Battambang, Bavet
Currency
Cambodian Riel (KHR), USD widely used
Official Language
Khmer
Key Industries
Garments, tourism, agriculture, construction, energy, light manufacturing
Business Climate Overview
Cambodia's economy is developing rapidly, driven by its garment exports, tourism, and construction sectors. The government continues to modernize infrastructure, improve digital capacity, and attract foreign investment through economic zones and tax incentives.
Talent Market & Recruitment
Workforce
~9.9M workers; young, low-cost labor; limited high-skill availability
In-demand Roles
- • Software/IT
- • Hospitality
- • Manufacturing
- • Healthcare
- • Education
- • Finance
Hiring Channels
Job Boards:
BongThom, CamHR, Pelprek, Facebook
Recruitment Firms:
Top Recruitment, MyWorld Cambodia
Employment Regulations
Written Contracts
Required for fixed-term contracts; must be in Khmer or bilingual, specifying key employment terms.
Probation Periods
Maximum 3 months (regular), 2 months (skilled), 1 month (unskilled).
Public Holidays (2024)
23–25 days annually, including major holidays such as Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben, and Water Festival.
Annual Leave
1.5 days per month (minimum 18 days per year).
Termination & Severance
Fixed Duration Contracts (FDC): No notice required upon expiry. Unfixed Duration Contracts (UDC): Notice up to 3 months; severance = 15 days per year of service (seniority pay).
Compensation, Tax & Social Security
Employer & Employee Contributions
Employer contributions:
2% pension only.
Employee contributions:
0%–20% progressive monthly salary tax.
Overtime Pay
150% on weekdays; 200% on weekends and public holidays.
Bonuses
Not mandatory; 13th month and holiday bonuses common; seniority pay is mandatory.
Personal Income Tax
0%–20% progressive monthly salary tax.
VAT
10% standard rate.
Salary Benchmarks by Industry
| Industry / Role | Salary Range (80% of earners) |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer / Developer | 500K – 1.9M KHR |
| Front-end / Back-end / Full-stack | 1.1M – 3.8M KHR |
| Digital Marketing | 900K – 3.3M KHR |
| Engineering / Manufacturing / Construction | 681K – 1.9M KHR |
| Human Resources | 539K – 1.6M KHR |
| Finance / Accounting / Banking | 862K – 2.8M KHR |
| Graphic Design / Creative | 500K – 1.9M KHR |
| Healthcare (Doctors, Nurses, Pharma) | 500K – 1.9M KHR |
| Real Estate / Sales | 567K – 1.8M KHR |
| Management / Leadership | 877K – 4.8M KHR |
Payroll & Immigration
Payroll Cycle
Monthly or biweekly; can be paid in USD or KHR; payslips and statutory compliance required.
Work Permits
Required for foreign workers (EB visa + MLVT work permit). Foreign employee quota limited to 10% of workforce.
Options for Hiring in Cambodia
Employer of Record (EOR)
Quickest option; handles payroll, compliance, and work permits.
Local Payroll Providers
Manage salaries, tax filings, and NSSF submissions for entities.
Independent Contractors
Permitted, but misclassification risk if working conditions resemble employment.
Local Entity Setup
Full incorporation required for long-term presence and direct hiring.
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