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First salaries: what new workers in Malaysia actually earn
What new graduates in Malaysia earned in their first job, by qualification and career area, from KPT's 2025 Graduate Tracer Study, next to DOSM's 2025 pay figures. Your own pay will depend on the role, employer, location and qualification.
Reviewed by Mereka staff
Published 24 Oct 2026Next check due 24 Jan 20276 min read27 of 27 facts verified against their sources
The figures, at a glance
Key facts
Where these numbers come from
This page uses three official sources, and each one measures something different.
- The Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) runs the Graduate Tracer Study (SKPG) every year. The 2025 report, published in October 2026, covers Malaysian citizens who convocated in 2025 from a university, college, polytechnic or public skills institute, at every level from SKM level 2 (the national skills certificate) to PhD. Graduates answer online, and the pay tables leave out people working for their family without pay.[1] In 2025, 95.6% of citizen graduates answered.[1]
- The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) surveys the pay of full-time employees every year. Its figures include basic pay, regular allowances and overtime, but not bonuses.[3] The newest report covers 2025.
- DOSM's Graduates Statistics shows how graduate pay changes with age. The newest edition covers 2024 and was published in October 2025.[4]
A median is the middle value: half of people earn more, half earn less. A band (such as "RM1,501-RM2,000") tells you what share of people fall in that pay range. Both are gross pay, before EPF (your retirement savings), SOCSO and tax come out. See payslip-basics-epf-socso-eis-minimum-wage for what you actually take home, and first-salary-simulation-explained for turning a salary into a month's budget.
First pay by qualification
| Route | Most common band, new graduates 2025 | Earned RM2,000 or less | Median for all workers with this qualification, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPM and below | Not covered | Not covered | RM2,203 |
| Certificate (sijil) | RM1,501-RM2,000 (44.9%) | 71.3% | RM2,775 (STPM or certificate) |
| Diploma | RM1,501-RM2,000 (43.2%) | 58.6% | RM3,779 |
| Degree | RM3,001-RM4,000 (23.8%) | 27.9% | RM5,276 |
Sources: new graduates[1]; all workers[3]. "Earned RM2,000 or less" is our own sum of the study's published pay bands.
Read the columns differently. The middle two are people just starting out. The last one is everyone with that qualification, including people with twenty years of experience. So a new diploma holder should not expect RM3,779 in a first job.
Few new diploma and certificate graduates started above RM3,000: 7.6% and 7.3% did, against 36.0% of new degree graduates (our sums of the published bands).[1] Most found work: 92.3% of new citizen graduates had a job in 2025, and 95.9% of TVET (technical and vocational) graduates did.[1]
The minimum wage
Since 1 February 2025 the national minimum wage has been RM1,700 a month. Employers with fewer than five employees had to pay it from 1 August 2025.[5]
Budget 2027 announced a rise to RM2,000 from June 2027, with small and medium businesses that have annual sales below RM50 million exempted. It also announced a minimum of RM2,500 a month for semi-skilled workers and graduates as a starting point, with no start date.[6] These are announcements, not law yet: in October 2026 the minimum is still RM1,700.[6]
How pay grows
Pay usually rises with experience. In 2025 the median for all Malaysian employees was RM1,931 at ages 20-24, RM2,285 at 25-29 and RM2,884 at 30-34, and highest at RM3,826 at ages 40-44.[3] For graduates (diploma and degree holders), the 2024 median was RM2,031 at age 24 and under and RM3,505 at ages 25-34.[4]
These are different people at different ages, not the same people followed over time. They show the general shape, not your future pay.
By career area
The tracer study groups courses into fields of study, and DOSM groups jobs into industries. Neither matches our eight career areas exactly, so the tables show the closest match. That matching is our judgement.
New degree graduates, 2025
| Career area | Closest field of study | Earned RM2,000 or less | Earned more than RM3,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media & Creative | Arts and humanities | 56.0% | 15.4% |
| Technology & AI | Information and communication technology | 12.9% | 59.1% |
| Health & Science | Health and welfare | 27.9% | 43.7% |
| Business & Enterprise | Business, administration and law | 23.3% | 38.5% |
| Engineering & Skilled Trades | Engineering, manufacturing and construction | 15.4% | 42.2% |
| Community & Social Impact | Social sciences, journalism and information | 32.7% | 31.4% |
| Environment & Sustainability | Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics | 31.9% | 26.6% |
| Environment & Sustainability | Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary | 44.2% | 20.4% |
| Global Opportunities | Services (includes hospitality and tourism) | 31.5% | 23.9% |
Source: KPT tracer study 2025, first-degree rows.[1] Both shares are our sums of the published bands. Each career area has its own item (for example money-technology-ai) with diploma and certificate figures too.
Everyone working in the closest industry, all ages, 2025
| Career area | Closest industry | Median monthly pay |
|---|---|---|
| Media & Creative | Arts, entertainment and recreation; information and communication | RM2,688; RM4,723 |
| Technology & AI | Information and communication | RM4,723 |
| Health & Science | Human health and social work | RM4,976 |
| Business & Enterprise | Finance and insurance; wholesale and retail | RM4,188; RM2,063 |
| Engineering & Skilled Trades | Manufacturing; construction | RM2,663; RM2,270 |
| Community & Social Impact | Public administration; other services | RM4,625; RM2,013 |
| Environment & Sustainability | Water, sewerage and waste; agriculture | RM2,466; RM1,813 |
| Global Opportunities | Accommodation and food services | RM2,013 |
Source: DOSM 2025.[3]
Working at a tech startup
There is no official figure for startup pay in Malaysia. The Edge reported in 2025 that NodeFlair's Tech Salary Report 2025, a commercial survey by a jobs platform, put junior pay for traditional software engineers between RM2,750 and RM8,000 a month.[7] It is not an official statistic and the article does not say how the data was collected, so treat it as a rough range.
Some startups pay less than big companies and offer shares instead; some pay more to win scarce skills. If you get an offer, ask what the basic salary is, whether EPF and SOCSO are paid on it, and, if shares are offered, when they become yours.
What this means for you
- Plan around the first-pay band for your route, not the median for all workers. The all-worker figures include people with decades of experience.
- A degree gave a better chance of starting above RM3,000 (36.0% of new degree graduates, against 7.6% for diploma). It also takes longer and usually costs more, so weigh both on your Day 3 cost-and-return sheet.
- The field matters too. Among new degree graduates, 59.1% in ICT earned more than RM3,000, against 15.4% in arts and humanities. Pay is one reason to choose a field, not the only one.
- A full-time offer below RM1,700 a month is below the minimum wage for most jobs, so ask the employer why before you accept.
- These are group figures. Where you work, who employs you and what you can show (a portfolio, a project, a licence) will move your own pay up or down.
Your next step
- Open the money item for your career area (for example
money-health-science). Write down the most common first-pay band for your route, with its source and year: "KPT tracer study, graduates of 2025". - Find two real entry-level job adverts in that area. Note the pay, the location and whether EPF and SOCSO are mentioned, and bring them to the Day 3 first-salary simulation.
Scope and current-policy check (24 October 2026)
All graduate bands refer to citizens graduating from the institutions covered by KPT in 2025, grouped by field of study. They are not salaries for all SPM leavers or for a particular job title. DOSM medians cover different people across ages and roles; they do not establish a pay trajectory, causal qualification premium, job security or Malaysian vacancy growth. A tech startup is an employer type, not a separately measured salary population in these sources. Do not invent a startup premium.
RM1,700 is the reference in the published Minimum Wages Order 2024.[5] Budget 2027 announced RM2,000 from June 2027 with an MSME sales exemption; treat that as an announcement until a new instrument and implementing guidance establish the applicable scope and effective date.[6] Check the official 2027 updates guide before accepting an offer.
Ask whether pay is basic or includes overtime, whether shifts and probation apply, who pays licence and safety costs, and when progression is reviewed.
How sure are we?
Each fact or figure in this guide, and how well its sources back it up. Checking evidence is a skill: open a source and see if you agree.
27 of 27 facts verified against their sources
Verified · Its sources say this.
The median monthly salary & wages of Malaysian citizen employees was RM2,940 in 2025 (mean RM3,803), up from a median of RM2,793 in 2024.
Sources:[2]
Verified · Its sources say this.
DOSM salaries & wages figures cover full-time paid employees and include basic pay, regular allowances and overtime, but exclude bonuses and gratuities.
Sources:[3]
Verified · Its sources say this.
In 2025 the median monthly salary & wages of citizen employees by highest certificate was RM2,203 (SPM and below), RM2,775 (STPM or certificate), RM3,779 (diploma) and RM5,276 (degree), across all ages.
Sources:[3]
Verified · Its sources say this.
KPT's Graduate Tracer Study 2025 covers citizen graduates of local higher education institutions and public skills training institutes (ILKA) who convocated in 2025, from SKM level 2 to PhD. Graduates answer online through the SKPG system and KPT analyses the data at a cut-off date it sets. The income tables exclude graduates working for their family without pay. The report was posted on mohe.gov.my on 22 October 2026.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
In the 2025 tracer study, 95.6% of citizen graduates responded (330,237 of 345,280).
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Among citizen first-degree graduates who convocated in 2025 (107,899 respondents), the most common monthly income band was RM3,001-RM4,000 (23.8%), followed by RM2,001-RM2,500 (18.9%); 27.9% earned RM2,000 or less and 36.0% earned more than RM3,000.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Among citizen diploma graduates who convocated in 2025 (59,259 respondents), 43.2% earned RM1,501-RM2,000 a month and 23.5% earned RM2,001-RM2,500; 58.6% earned RM2,000 or less and 7.6% earned more than RM3,000.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Among citizen certificate (sijil) graduates who convocated in 2025 (17,319 respondents), 44.9% earned RM1,501-RM2,000 a month and 15.6% earned RM2,001-RM2,500; 71.3% earned RM2,000 or less and 7.3% earned more than RM3,000.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
The employment rate of new citizen graduates was 92.3% in 2025 (92.5% in 2024), and 95.9% for TVET graduates.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
In 2025 the median monthly salary & wages of citizen employees was RM1,776 at ages 15-19, RM1,931 at 20-24, RM2,285 at 25-29 and RM2,884 at 30-34; the highest median was RM3,826 at ages 40-44.
Sources:[3]
Verified · Its sources say this.
In 2024 the median monthly salary & wages of employed graduates (diploma and degree holders) was RM2,031 for those aged 24 and under and RM3,505 for those aged 25-34.
Sources:[4]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Among citizen graduates who convocated in 2025 with a first degree in arts and humanities (Sastera dan kemanusiaan), KPT's Graduate Tracer Study 2025 (9,348 respondents) found the most common monthly income band was RM1,501-RM2,000 (28.8%); 56.0% earned RM2,000 or less and 15.4% earned more than RM3,000.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Among citizen graduates who convocated in 2025 with a first degree in information and communication technology (Teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi), KPT's Graduate Tracer Study 2025 (10,866 respondents) found the most common monthly income band was RM3,001-RM4,000 (35.9%); 12.9% earned RM2,000 or less and 59.1% earned more than RM3,000.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Among citizen graduates who convocated in 2025 with a first degree in health and welfare (Kesihatan dan kebajikan), KPT's Graduate Tracer Study 2025 (5,682 respondents) found the most common monthly income band was RM3,001-RM4,000 (18.0%); 27.9% earned RM2,000 or less and 43.7% earned more than RM3,000.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Among citizen graduates who convocated in 2025 with a first degree in business, administration and law (Perniagaan, pentadbiran dan perundangan), KPT's Graduate Tracer Study 2025 (35,459 respondents) found the most common monthly income band was RM3,001-RM4,000 (25.9%); 23.3% earned RM2,000 or less and 38.5% earned more than RM3,000.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Among citizen graduates who convocated in 2025 with a first degree in engineering, manufacturing and construction (Kejuruteraan, pembuatan dan pembinaan), KPT's Graduate Tracer Study 2025 (20,689 respondents) found the most common monthly income band was RM3,001-RM4,000 (29.3%); 15.4% earned RM2,000 or less and 42.2% earned more than RM3,000.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Among citizen graduates who convocated in 2025 with a first degree in social sciences, journalism and information (Sains sosial, kewartawanan dan maklumat), KPT's Graduate Tracer Study 2025 (7,809 respondents) found the most common monthly income band was RM3,001-RM4,000 (22.8%); 32.7% earned RM2,000 or less and 31.4% earned more than RM3,000.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Among citizen graduates who convocated in 2025 with a first degree in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics (Sains semulajadi, matematik dan statistik), KPT's Graduate Tracer Study 2025 (7,097 respondents) found the most common monthly income band was RM2,001-RM2,500 (25.3%); 31.9% earned RM2,000 or less and 26.6% earned more than RM3,000.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Among citizen graduates who convocated in 2025 with a first degree in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary (Pertanian, perhutanan, perikanan dan veterinar), KPT's Graduate Tracer Study 2025 (1,143 respondents) found the most common monthly income band was RM1,501-RM2,000 (26.7%); 44.2% earned RM2,000 or less and 20.4% earned more than RM3,000.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Among citizen graduates who convocated in 2025 with a first degree in services (includes hospitality, travel and tourism, transport and personal services) (Perkhidmatan), KPT's Graduate Tracer Study 2025 (3,608 respondents) found the most common monthly income band was RM2,001-RM2,500 (25.9%); 31.5% earned RM2,000 or less and 23.9% earned more than RM3,000.
Sources:[1]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Median monthly salary & wages of citizen employees by industry in 2025, all ages and qualifications: arts, entertainment and recreation RM2,688 (2024: RM2,643); information and communication RM4,723 (2024: RM4,231); human health and social work RM4,976 (2024: RM4,698); financial and insurance/takaful activities RM4,188 (2024: RM3,752); wholesale and retail trade RM2,063 (2024: RM1,947); manufacturing RM2,663 (2024: RM2,490); construction RM2,270 (2024: RM2,051); public administration and defence RM4,625 (2024: RM4,483); other service activities RM2,013 (2024: RM1,947); water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation RM2,466 (2024: RM2,490); agriculture RM1,813 (2024: RM1,698); accommodation and food and beverage services RM2,013 (2024: RM1,912).
Sources:[3]
Verified · Its sources say this.
The Edge (Digital Edge, 28 April-4 May 2025) reported that NodeFlair's Tech Salary Report 2025, a commercial market survey, put junior pay for traditional software engineers between RM2,750 (10th percentile) and RM8,000 (90th percentile) a month, based on more than 130,000 salary data points across roles and countries.
Sources:[7]
Verified · Its sources say this.
From 1 February 2025 the national minimum wage under the Minimum Wages Order 2024 is RM1,700 a month.
Sources:[5]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Employers with fewer than five employees (other than those carrying out professional activities) had to pay RM1,700 from 1 August 2025.
Sources:[5]
Verified · Its sources say this.
The Government will raise the minimum wage to RM2,000 from June 2027, exempting MSMEs with annual sales below RM50 million.
Sources:[6]
Verified · Its sources say this.
Budget 2027 announced a minimum wage of RM2,500 a month for semi-skilled workers and graduates as a starting point, with no start date stated.
Sources:[6]
Verified · Its sources say this.
RM1,700 remains the minimum wage in October 2026 (Budget 2027 refers to raising it from RM1,700).
Sources:[6]
Sources
Numbers in the text, like [1], jump here.
- [1]Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT / MOHE)Laporan Kajian Pengesanan Graduan 2025 (Graduate Tracer Study report 2025) (opens in a new tab)Published 22 Oct 2026 · Checked 23 Oct 2026
- [2]Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM)Salaries & Wages Survey Report 2025 (release page) (opens in a new tab)Published 21 Sept 2026 · Checked 22 Oct 2026
- [3]Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM)Laporan Survei Gaji & Upah 2025 / Salaries & Wages Survey Report 2025 (full report, tables A1, A5, A10, A13) (opens in a new tab)Published 21 Sept 2026 · Checked 22 Oct 2026
- [4]Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM)Statistik Siswazah 2024 / Graduates Statistics 2024 (publication, tables 10a-10n; newest edition) (opens in a new tab)Published 31 Oct 2025 · Checked 22 Oct 2026
- [5]Federal Government Gazette / Ministry of Human ResourcesMinimum Wages Order 2024 [P.U. (A) 376] (opens in a new tab)Published 4 Dec 2024 · Checked 22 Oct 2026
- [6]Ministry of Finance MalaysiaSpeech: The Fifth MADANI Budget 2027 (English translation) (opens in a new tab)Published 9 Oct 2026 · Checked 22 Oct 2026
- [7]The Edge Malaysia (Digital Edge)Malaysia sees tech salary surge in 2025, led by system engineers (Digital Edge report on NodeFlair's Tech Salary Report 2025) (opens in a new tab)Published 28 Apr 2025 · Checked 23 Oct 2026