Hire data and AI engineers in Sri Lanka
You can hire data and AI engineers in Sri Lanka directly, through an employer of record, or as a dedicated team from a Sri Lankan company. A data engineer in Colombo earns a median of about LKR 215,000 a month (about USD 650), and a senior data engineer about LKR 364,000, according to self reported Glassdoor data for 2026. With statutory employer contributions that is roughly USD 9,000 a year at the median. Strong people at export companies earn more.
Last reviewed 10 October 2026. Dollar figures use LKR 331 per dollar.
What they earn
Median monthly pay in Colombo. Source: Glassdoor, 2026, self reported. Employer cost adds 15% statutory contributions. Full method and caveats in the salary guide.
| Role | Median LKR a month | Median USD a month | Employer cost, USD a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data engineer | 215,000 | 650 | 9,000 |
| Senior data engineer | 364,000 | 1,100 | 15,200 |
| Data scientist | 217,000 | 655 | 9,000 |
| Machine learning engineer | 233,000 | 705 | 9,700 |
See also our page on why AI companies build in Sri Lanka.
Where data and AI engineers in Sri Lanka work today
Roar GlobalBuilt an AI gateway to 200+ models and runs an applied AI research lab.Read the story and sources
XeynergyShips its own agentic AI products.Read the story and sources
RootcodeAI platforms for the Estonian government.Read the story and sources
Sysco LABSData, analytics and machine learning for pricing and supply chain.Read the story and sourcesHow to hire them
One to ten people
Use an employer of record or contractors. How it works
A dedicated team
A Sri Lankan company hires and runs the team for you. See companies
Your own centre
Register a company and hire directly. Setup guide
Get a shortlist
Tell us the seniority and stack. We introduce data and AI engineers or partner teams who fit.
Common questions
How much do data and AI engineers earn in Sri Lanka?
Self reported Glassdoor data for Colombo in 2026 shows a median of about LKR 215,000 a month (about USD 650) for a data engineer. Export focused employers pay above the median.
Which companies employ data and AI engineers in Sri Lanka?
Published examples include Roar Global, Xeynergy, Rootcode, Sysco LABS.
Do I need a local company to hire data and AI engineers in Sri Lanka?
No. You can hire through an employer of record, contract individuals, or take a dedicated team from a Sri Lankan company. Your own entity makes sense once the team passes a few dozen people.