When you look at the average salary in Malaysia, you will want to use this information as a consultation tool for decisions regarding working, investing, or relocating throughout Malaysia. Salaries vary considerably by profession, education, city, and experience. As evidenced in 2025, the middle class is on the rise, and competition within the labor market is heating up in Malaysia, one of the most vibrant economies of Southeast Asia. But how much do people in Malaysia make, and what would be considered a decent salary?
This blog will analyze average salaries in Malaysia, the kind of lifestyle one can afford in comfort with such a salary, and whether it is worth something or not to make RM10,000 or RM6,000 a month.
Key Highlights:
- Average Salary in Malaysia current 2025
- What is a Good Salary in Malaysia?
- Is RM10,000 a Good Salary in Malaysia?
- Is RM6,000 a Good Salary in Malaysia?
- Can we live a comfortable life on an average salary?
Average Salary in Malaysia current 2025
If you are just about to set foot in the Southeast Asian city of Penang, you will want to know how much salary is paid out on average in the year 2025, in case you consider staying over there for a while. Considering industries, levels, and locations, the average is anywhere between RM3,500 and RM4,500 per month.
Sector-wise breakdown:
- IT and Tech: RM5,000 – RM10,000/month
- Engineering: RM4,000 – RM8,000/month
- Health care: RM4,500 – RM9,000/month
- Retail and Hospitality: RM2,000 – RM3,500/month
- Education: RM3,000 – RM6,000/month
- Finance and Banking: RM4,500 – RM12,000/month
Whereas the average salary in Malaysia is about RM4,000, this figure comprises junior to senior-level officers. Senior professionals who are in demand in sectors such as IT, Engineering, and Finance make substantially more than this figure, in some cases twice the national average.
For fresh graduates, the average salary ranges between RM2,500 and RM3,000. This range depends on the type of degree and the prestige of the university.
What is a Good Salary in Malaysia?
To define a good salary in Malaysia, we must take into consideration several factors: cost of living, lifestyle choice, family size, and the city in which you live. The cost of living can vary between urban and rural areas. As a city with both growth and connections, Kuala Lumpur is more expensive than Penang, Ipoh, and Kota Bharu.
What a good salary in Malaysia typically includes:
Being able to live within income and cover the essentials – housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities.
Having extra money left over for savings, for investments, and disposable income for dinners out, vacations, entertainment, and self-development.
For a single person in Kuala Lumpur, if you earn around RM6,000 and upwards per month, you can afford a good apartment, transportation, and can spend some discretionary money. If you are earning anything in the range of RM4,500 – RM5,000 and live outside Kuala Lumpur, you will feel comfortable sustaining a good lifestyle.
For a family of three or four, a good household income would typically fall in the range of RM10,000–RM15,000. This gives you some more space for housing, school fees, having a car or two, and saving for emergencies.
Ultimately, any salary that is higher than the average salary in Malaysia (about RM4,000) allows you to achieve your financial goals, meet your lifestyle needs, and support your principles for the future, and can be considered a good salary.
Is RM10,000 a Good Salary in Malaysia?
The answer is yes, RM10,000 is a very good salary in Malaysia, especially if you are single or if you combine the incomes of your household. Here is a brief explanation of what having RM10,000 can mean to you:
- Rental (condo or apartment): RM2,000 – RM3,500/month
- Utilities & Internet: RM300 – RM500/month
- Groceries: RM800 – RM1,200/month
- Transportation (car loan + petrol): RM800 – RM1,500/month
- Dining, leisure, fitness, subscriptions: RM1,000+/month
The moment you plan to live in any of the urban areas, the very high cost of living in these locations makes RM10,000 a comfortable middle income to live on, with savings, and a little bit of pocket money for luxuries.
And compared to the salary scale across Malaysia, with a monthly income of RM10,000, you are placed among the 10-15% highest income earners, especially in industries such as tech, finance, or executive-level jobs.
Is RM6,000 a Good Salary in Malaysia?
RM6,000 sits above the average wage of Malaysia, thus an excellent income for singles or dual-income couples without a kid.
Expectation in RM6,000 per month,
- Pot a good apartment in or near the city (RM1,500–RM2,500)
- Meet the necessary expenses (RM2,000-RM3,000)
- Put in RM500-RM1,000 in savings, depending on lifestyle
- Give oneself good value occasionally with a treat of weekend getaway
In smaller cities, such as Ipoh, Melaka, or Kota Kinabalu, RM6,000 would go a long way. However, in Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru, a few lifestyle perks would have to be sacrificed at this level.
An RM6,000 income far surpasses an average salary in Malaysia, sufficient for the urban middle-class lifestyle.
Average Salaries in Malaysia by Job Function
To give you an idea of where you are, here is the average salary in Malaysia by job function as of 2025:
| Occupation | Average Monthly Salary (RM) |
| Software Developer | 5,500 – 9,000 |
| Accountant | 4,000 – 7,000 |
| Graphic Designer | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| Customer Support Agent | 2,500 – 3,800 |
| Teacher (High School) | 3,500 – 6,000 |
| Registered Nurse | 4,000 – 6,500 |
| Sales Executive | 3,000 – 5,500 |
| Project Manager | 6,500 – 12,000 |
| Marketing Manager | 6,000 – 11,000 |
The above figures indicate that the average salary in Malaysia does vary, and there is a lot of room for you to increase your income by climbing the career ladder.
How Does Malaysia Compare to the Other Countries in Southeast Asia?
If the average salary in Malaysia is compared with that of any other country in Southeast Asia:
- Malaysia: RM4,000 per month (~$850 USD)
- Thailand: THB 25,000 – 35,000 per month (~$700-USD 1,000)
- Vietnam: VND 8,000,000 – 12,000,000 (~$350-$500 USD)
- Indonesia: IDR 5,000,000 – 7,000,000 (~$300-$450 USD)
- Singapore: SGD 5,000 – 6,500/Month (~$3,700-USD 4,800)
Malaysia scores regionally in terms of salaries, and the lower cost of living certainly works in favor of average wages in Malaysia.
Minimum Wage and Beginning Salaries
As of 2025, the minimum wage in Malaysia is RM1,500 monthly, and any worker will earn a minimum of that amount, no matter the industry or sector or which state a worker is located in, following a recent government announcement. Although that amount will fall toward the absolute minimum standards of living, the average salary in Malaysia is about RM4,000 monthly, which is considerably higher.
Many greeter, entry-level, or apprentice jobs are towards the minimum wage, usually related to manufacturing, agriculture, retail, and hospitality. Many of those jobs, such as factory workers, clerks, front desk staff, and entry-level service workers, typically earn between RM1,500 and RM2,000, depending on the size of the company and/or geography.
On the contrary, entry-level jobs for those with degrees, and fresh graduates, in particular urban markets, or fields such as technology, finance, or engineering typically start at above RM2,500 up to above RM3,500. Entry-level jobs in this range generally put individuals either below or at least close to the average salary in Malaysia.
It is also pertinent to recognize that a large part of the workforce still earns less than the average salary in Malaysia, particularly in rural demographics or informal sectors of the economy, which causes ongoing concern regarding income disparities and purchasing power.
Expats and Foreigners: What Salary Can You Expect?
Expats working in Malaysia usually earn above the average salary in Malaysia, and even more so if the expat’s industry is specialized and in demand. The common sectors engaging expats are Information Technology, Engineering, Oil & Gas, Finance, Education (generally international schools), and Healthcare.
However in common as per the average salary in Malaysia, most of the expats have a range of RM 8000 to RM 25000 per month, of course, depending on the position, skills, and experience. Most expats are also provided with attractive benefits that include a base salary plus:
- Housing allowance or accommodation provided by the company
- Car allowance or company vehicle
- Medical coverage
- Home return airfares within a specific value or no limit
- School tuition for children attending international schools
The average salary for locals in Malaysia is RM4,000, so expats can expect to earn more, mostly because of the appreciation for international experience and qualification. However, due to the pandemic and economic conditions, Malaysia has adopted a strict immigration policy and limited the hiring of foreigners.
Nevertheless, Malaysia remains a great option for skilled expats, especially since in-demand skills cannot be easily found locally.
BIG QUESTION: Can we live a comfortable life on an average salary?
As you are now aware, as per the discussion above the average salary in Malaysia is around RM 4000/ month. To actually live a comfortable life we must be good at money management and budget well.
An example monthly budget for a RM4,000 earning person would look something like this:
- Rent (shared apartment or room): RM1,000
- Utilities + Internet: RM300
- Eating Out & Groceries: RM1,000
- Transportation (public/private; petrol and tolls): RM400
- Entertainment/Discretionary: RM500
- Saving for a rainy day/emergency: RM300–RM500
Not much money allows for splurges on expensive dining or international vacations and purchasing luxury items, but it does cover the basics, with some savings. Avoiding debt, cooking at home, and using public transport should allow an average Malaysian salary to afford a basic lifestyle.
In smaller towns or rural areas, where rent and food cost less, RM4,000 could stretch much farther. For those with family responsibilities and aspirations to urban trends, the average salary may feel meagre. With the right financial strategy, however, a relatively easy-going yet comfortable living is on the cards for anyone earning the average salary in Malaysia.
Ways to Boost Your Salary in Malaysia
If you are receiving below the average salary in Malaysia, don’t despair. It is possible to improve your salary.
1. Learn In-demand Skills
Make an effort to learn and become proficient in in-demand skills such as data analysis, programming, digital marketing, project management, or UI/UX design. There are many options for courses online for very low fees or even free courses on websites such as Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning. Certifications and qualifications will add value to your CV and allow you to demand moderate salary increases.
2. Network
Go to your industry’s events, ie, conferences, career fairs, or industry networking events. Join LinkedIn groups or local memberships to remain abreast of those trends, and with employers you have an interest in. Networking and connecting with the right people could help you connect with better-paying opportunities.
3. Negotiate
You are within your rights to negotiate your salary. Utilise performance reviews, new qualifications or certifications, or industry salary benchmarks as leverage. Remember that the average salary in Malaysia is RM4,000 or above.
4. Job-hop
Unfortunately job-hopping, is becoming an emerging trend largely due to a lack of accountability of the individual. Job-hopping every 2-3 years is the norm in Malaysia with increases to salaries ranging from 10-30% on average. In competitive sectors; this is not even unusual as per the average salary in Malaysia.
5. Side-hustle
Consider things such as freelancing, e-commerce, content, tutoring, ride-sharing, etc. Many Malaysian university students are managing side-hustles without the encumbrance of costs.
Conclusion
An average salary in Malaysia starts from RM3,500 to RM4,500 per month, but it does change significantly for various reasons such as location, industry, and lifestyle needs. Though a salary of RM4,000 lucky enough may secure a basic standard of living in smaller towns, it may seem inadequate when living in big cities such as Kuala Lumpur.
- At a minimum, RM6,000 is an excellent pay for single workers or childless couples
- Being able to pay RF 10,000 a month are still living quite decently in most urban areas.
- The minimum wage is at RM1,500 a month, with most entry-level jobs paying between RM2,000 and RM2,500.
- Expats and highly skilled workers usually earn much more, from RM8,000 to RM25,000 a month, usually with perks.
For those in smaller cities like Penang or Ipoh, the lower cost of living means the average salary in Malaysia is stretched farther. Conversely, high earners in metropolitan areas spend significantly more on rent, transport, and leisure.
When confronted with a job offer or move, average salaries in Malaysia are useful to help you make wise career and financial decisions.
