Average Salary in Malaysia 2026: Median, Mean and Pay by Sector
Last reviewed: 19 October 2026
Short answer: the average salary in Malaysia was RM3,803 a month in 2025, up 4.1% from RM3,652, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia's (DOSM) Salaries and Wages Survey, released in September 2026. The median, the salary in the middle, rose faster, by 5.3% to RM2,940. That means half of Malaysia's 12 million salaried employees earn less than about RM2,940 a month. Mining and quarrying pays the most on average, at RM6,175.
Key takeaways
- Mean monthly salary: RM3,803 in 2025, up 4.1% (DOSM).
- Median monthly salary: RM2,940, up 5.3%.
- 12.01 million people received monthly salaries and wages in 2025.
- Highest-paying sector: mining and quarrying (RM6,175 average).
- Minimum wage: RM1,700 now, RM2,000 from June 2027.
What is the average salary in Malaysia?
| Measure (2025) | Monthly salary | Change from 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Mean (average) | RM3,803 | +4.1% |
| Median | RM2,940 | +5.3% |
Source: DOSM, Salaries and Wages Survey Report 2025 (formal sector employees).
The mean is pulled up by a smaller number of high earners in management, finance, oil and gas and technology. The median is a better guide to what a "typical" Malaysian employee earns.
Average salary in Malaysia by sector
| Sector | Mean monthly salary (2025) |
|---|---|
| Mining and quarrying | RM6,175 |
| Services | RM3,993 |
| Manufacturing | RM3,357 |
| Construction | RM3,188 |
| Agriculture | RM2,575 |
Within services, pay ranges widely: finance, ICT and professional services pay well above the average, while retail, food and accommodation pay much less.
What affects how much you earn in Malaysia?
- Location: Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor generally pay the most. So does Johor, especially with the data centre and Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone growth.
- Education: degree holders earn considerably more than those with SPM qualifications or below.
- Age and experience: pay rises steadily through your 30s and 40s.
- Industry and employer: multinationals, GLCs and tech firms tend to pay more than small local firms.
- Skills: AI, cloud, data, engineering and professional qualifications such as ACCA push salaries up.
How much is take-home pay on the average salary?
On RM3,803 a month, your main deduction is EPF (11%, about RM418). SOCSO and EIS take a few ringgit more. Many people at this level pay little or no income tax after reliefs. For more examples, see our guide to income tax and take-home pay after Budget 2027.
How can you earn more than the average?
- Move into a growing field such as IT, data centres, semiconductors, renewable energy or healthcare.
- Add AI and digital skills. Read how AI is changing jobs in Malaysia.
- Use salary data when negotiating, and ask about total pay: allowances, bonus and medical cover.
- Keep your resume ready. See our resume format guide.
Find a better-paid job
Create a free GetMalaysiaJobs account and browse the latest jobs in Malaysia, including engineering jobs, accounting and finance jobs and jobs in Kuala Lumpur.
Sources
- Department of Statistics Malaysia, Salaries and Wages Survey Report 2025, September 2026
- New Straits Times and The Star coverage of the DOSM survey, September 2026
- Ministry of Finance, Budget 2027 speech, 9 October 2026
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary in Malaysia?
The mean monthly salary was RM3,803 in 2025, up 4.1% from 2024, according to DOSM\'s Salaries and Wages Survey.
What is the median salary in Malaysia?
The median monthly salary was RM2,940 in 2025, up 5.3%. Half of salaried employees earn less than this.
Which sector pays the most in Malaysia?
Mining and quarrying had the highest mean monthly salary at RM6,175 in 2025, followed by services at RM3,993.
How many people earn a salary in Malaysia?
About 12.01 million people received monthly salaries and wages in 2025, according to DOSM.
Is RM5,000 a good salary in Malaysia?
Yes. RM5,000 a month is well above both the median of RM2,940 and the mean of RM3,803, although living costs in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are higher than elsewhere.
What is the minimum wage in Malaysia?
The minimum wage is RM1,700 a month and rises to RM2,000 from June 2027 under Budget 2027.
Author
The average salary in Malaysia is RM3,803 a month and the median is RM2,940 (DOSM, 2025). See pay by sector, what affects your salary, and how to earn more.