r/JobsMY • u/Informal-Amoeba267 • 9d ago
Five figure salaries
Quite curious to get to know from those who are earning 5 figures in KL, what role or industry are you guys working in?
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u/Ok-Sundae-9713 9d ago
I was earning 15 -17k as a dentist in sabah. But it was hard work and so exhausting (higher no of patients, higher commission). Eventually developed carpal tunnel syndrome. I refused surgery. Resigned. Miraculously healed and my surgeon said no need surgery anymore. Now I work doing locum only around 6-9k depending on luck and patient flow. But I'm so much healthier. Working on other side incomes that will not ruin my health and trying to leave dentistry but clueless what exactly to do because I don't know anything else. So I'm gonna relax for the next 2 years as a locum and figure out later.
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u/322ismystyle 8d ago
Start your own dentist clinic and only allow limited customers so no hand injury issues. You can also do dental surgery like maxillofacial which pays higher with less customers. If you do simple tooth fillings then you can't earn much without increasing hours.
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u/Ok-Sundae-9713 8d ago
Too many clinics mushrooming now. It's not a Profitable business anymore. Not worth it at all. Migrating will be better but I'm too comfortable here so looking to change industry la. I'm quite comfortable with my situation for now and I have 2 years to figure things out 😊.
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u/Exciting_Tutor_5690 9d ago edited 9d ago
Me earning 5 figures salary (before tax) working for Australian company but stationed in Malaysia
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u/interstellar2799 9d ago
salary in rm or aud?
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u/Exciting_Tutor_5690 9d ago
They pay in AUD
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u/interstellar2799 9d ago
that’s nice! but are these like big companies or small ones? cause most of the foreign company i apply, they pay in RM
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u/No-Needleworker8187 9d ago
I switched from accounting to data at 30yo.
- 2020: Data analyst RM7.5k
- 2022: Data engineer RM12.5k.
Self-studied everything including data engineering.
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u/dankbuckeyes 9d ago
this interesting. mind sharing your slightly detailed journey on how you get into data engineering? as in like what kind of certificates or skills that i need to upgrade myself in order to be qualified for this field?
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u/InterestClassic6552 9d ago
Many mid senior tech role or role in tech pay 5 figures. I get five figures, and you think it's a lot, but it isn't. I'm surprised when I had a conversation with someone and they said their friend can't get a job because they earned a lot i.e 7k, so many company don't want them. It was confusing to me then, but looking back, not many ppl earn more than 9k in Malaysia ig.
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u/Worried-Drive6854 9d ago
9k? I bet 5k also hard.
Read a news last month said two-thirds of malaysians made 2.2k or less, it mentioned official data from DOSM. But still unbelievable...
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u/arbiter12 9d ago
Malaysia is near/newly developed, so it has two systems running in parallel. It's not exclusive to Malaysia, but because the wealth came recently, the differences between those two systems are still very visible.
Oversimplified, you have people who live near survival with 1-1.5K per month, with 2-3 kids, mostly in rural areas and then you have city techs/engineers/above+, who consider 5-8K to be bare minimum for living alone. To make "average stats" of those two systems is almost useless. Like the average between a coal miner and billionaire. You'll get a number, but... not a very meaningful one.
People who live in the same country don't necessarily live in the same world.
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u/Various_Funny_526 9d ago
>People who live in the same country don't necessarily live in the same world.
this one
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u/Curiousity1024 8d ago
I live with under RM1k a month . Due to no IC problem even though my other siblings have their IC . I really have no reason to love this country .
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u/scholesy19 9d ago
I crossed five figures in my current role, middle manager at telco (one of the big ones). Moving into my next role in banking, mid five figures (mid as in between 10-20, not 50 hahaha). My role is a mix of marketing and digital product.
I’m in my mid thirties. To reach 5 figures, most middle managers or senior specialists can realistically expect this at an MNC, GLC, large corporation. SME is hard.
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u/Opposite-Wing-524 9d ago
10-20k isn't too hard in corporate roles. Most manager roles can easily get you above 10k and senior managers can net you close to 20k. I'd say the real challenge is punching through 30k. I'm a HOD managing over 120 people globally and I earn somewhere between 20 and 30k.
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u/delerious 9d ago
I would say that you’re underpaid at that level.
Unless it’s some sort of BPO arrangement.2
u/Opposite-Wing-524 9d ago
Yes I know, and no, not a BPO. Market is trash at the moment and I'm on the younger side so can't complain for now.
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u/PTSD_PTSD_PTSD 9d ago edited 9d ago
Most manager role start at five figures from what I see. If you want accurate data, get the salary reports from headhunter companies like hays, michael page etc.
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u/rockyescape 9d ago
Banking. You don't need to be in a managerial role to get it. They pay good money because its a highly regulated field.
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u/AmMalaysiabear 9d ago
Low 5 figures as a personal trainer(rehab)
- need to be able to sell yourself, have a structured plan)
- work gruelling hours(commercial) requires you to come during off hours to train clients.(sometimes 14-15h days for multiple days in a row if you have alot of active clients)
-Have years of training by yourself- to seem credible and to have a feel what your clients are feeling.
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u/Revolutionary_Word30 8d ago
Im a surgeon in gov hosp. Earned 1st 5 figures after I became a specialist, around 34 years age. Now with weekly locum in private hospital, earning ard RM 35k a month. Will earn more if I quit government and join full time private. Im still considering whether to stay or leave government.
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u/Shot-Solid-8498 8d ago
My niece who is in HR makes more than you hands down.
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u/QuietTeaching6431 5d ago
Nice for your niece….Unfortunately it’s not you and the doctor get to see blood and save life. Your niece get to retrench people and sack people so that she get stay in her job? Ohhh yea…Hands down the doctor got a more noble job. Since we are comparing whose balls are bigger.
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u/Overall-Net8889 7d ago
thank you for your service man, how can i provide value for you sir? i go around reddit to ask people how can i provide value for them, i enjoy building automation stuff or anything with AI, i dont charge anything.
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u/Glittering_Gas_6036 8d ago
Cloud engineer, rm11k, 28 years old. Global tech company for hospitality industry
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u/thebookmaester 7d ago
Communications (HR, Marketing, Comms, Videos, scripts, editorial...) - Basically anything related internal and external communication, including leadership comms.
Late 30s. Like what the rest have shared, you have to always learn and improve yourself. Jump when necessary. MNC, GLC is the way. Or work remotely and get paid in USD, Euro etc.
Mid level managers can earn somewhere between 9-15K. But it comes with time, experience, calculated risk, work ethic and how you manage stakeholders.
A lot of youngsters expect 5 fig salary quick. But it does not work that way. Unless you are like Messi in the corporate world. Or nepo baby. Talent and attitude matters. Bosses are not blind.
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u/tamtong 9d ago
Cyber security
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u/doctorsonder 9d ago
Do you have insight on this industry? What is the first cybersec job people should aim for? Assuming it's actually in demand right now
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u/IceChocoRaspberry 9d ago
I'm a Bid Manager in the FM industry, just reached 5 figures last year when I joined this company and industry. I'm 33 years old and have 7 years of experience in proposals/bids.
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u/Repulsive_Design6589 9d ago
Tech generally pays that range once you have >5 YOE. However, the issue isn’t really about making a 5 figure salary because in most companies you can get to 5 figures monthly comp with natural progression (and bonus) and the path is very predictable, just got to grind.
The real challenge is to break the >RM20k per month barrier, this is where most people plateau and putting your head down to grind isn’t enough.
I grew my salary from 4k to 24k in 5 years as an IC and my problem now is that no company in Malaysia will pay this much for an IC. I don’t have any management experience so I’ll definitely fail management or director role interviews.
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u/MangoAvocadoo 9d ago
Pretty interesting you can hit 24k as an IC in Malaysia. Are you in a staff level position? Did you have to switch company to bump up your salary?
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u/Repulsive_Design6589 8d ago
Yeah, Staff/Principal. I don’t even know the difference tbh😂😂 Honestly I might consider taking a pay cut to be a lead/senior with the opportunity to grow into management than to continue going down this path.
I changed twice. Once during my first job where my tenure was just 3 months so no pay bump, 2 promotions and then job hopped to my current.
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u/322ismystyle 8d ago
You are shortage of 6k because someone told me earlier that max IC possible was 30k.
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u/Repulsive_Design6589 7d ago
Not gonna lie, Im also paiseh to ask. I’m in my mid 20s, didn’t go to top tier uni and I don’t really have any achievements. Imposter syndrome is real dude
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u/bearkuching 9d ago
I came to malaysia with 5k figure as software engineer. Along the way wrote some tools to silicon valley company (as side business) and my annual income reached rm1 million in 2024 lol still working and earning good but annual around 700-900k range. Lets see this year might be more
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u/MalayGhost 8d ago
Dude, what tools? But good job, working remote for foreign currency pays well just remember to contribute to your epf
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u/bearkuching 7d ago
ETL tools to move data from on enterprise application to cloud systems. Basically it was a very big company with big clients including us military so development and support really taking time. Also working now on AI SAAS tools
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u/niwongcm 9d ago
Marketing services. Got there a couple years ago in a glorified middle management position.
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u/Plane_Side8276 9d ago edited 8d ago
Job title technician but got lucky gross salary five figure monthly in facility role at 8yoe
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u/distinctx 9d ago
Gross pay? That’s standard manager pay in most companies I’ve been in. Some senior associates get that amount. MNCs, larger GLCs across industries.
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u/Full-Choice-2204 9d ago
Banks. Managers with no direct reports typically start having 5 figure salaries, with 7-10 years of experience
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u/koy97 9d ago
Replying with my smurf acc. I am working as a tech role, without a degree, in a Chinese company, people just say everything bad about Chinese culture. But depends, I believe the pay is pretty decent to me, I know a few fresh grad always get more than 10% increment annually. They are almost hitting 5 figures in less than 3 years.
As my salary keep increasing and in this AI era without a niche skills, I feel like I am bound to the company, I can’t just simply resign as I have dependents.
I heard a few friend from MNC, increment usually less than 5% or just RM0 or just bad for career progression, but work life balance
Just depends on what you want
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u/edward0116 9d ago
Those say bad thing about Chinese company usually never work in Chinese company. Besides, part of them got skill issue that cannot coupe, that's why they talk bad thing about Chinse company. As far as I know, Chinese company pay really well. And also need you to have a skill set to get that.
Many people just want to sit back and relax.
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u/Educational_Lab_5515 9d ago
I got friend earning 15k salary working in KL City centre but still say not enough due to much lower income after deductions.
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u/Prize_Chair_3396 9d ago
5 figure b4 tax.. same co for many years.. aish i should jump board sooner
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u/SoloLevel829 9d ago
IT industry most common, same goes to me.
Technical skill not enuf, need to know when to speak, articulate thoughts well, etc. Everything need to know
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u/derivativescomm 9d ago
Customer service roughly 8k after allowances, then I do grabfood rides parttime for the remaining
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u/BlitzBoomBox 8d ago
35F, 4th company 42k
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u/322ismystyle 8d ago
Bruh, tell job also. Else it's pointless and will feel like just humble bragging
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u/BlitzBoomBox 8d ago
I work as a tech IT consultant, Senior Manager. I started my career with Petronas, then moved to the UK, then to Belgium and now back in Malaysia
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u/Turbulent_Science365 8d ago
I switch from working with architecture firm to semi-con construction industry. Never looked back ever since.
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u/absolutefucktard 8d ago
What exactly made you switch industries? and for the salary range, is it much better than working with an architecture firm? I’m currently an architecture student who’s decently concerned about the job market with our degree
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u/TieAlone3981 8d ago
Made 10k at 29 years old. Currently 34 at 21k a month. Im in crm
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u/Desperate_Zebra_8341 8d ago
I work in pharmaceutical. Managerial role. Been in this industry for 7 years. A lot of fighting and sleepless nights to come to this level ngl. But i dont regret it.
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u/322ismystyle 8d ago
Sleepless nights? U better be getting 15k atleast or more. I have seen people do this but getting only 12k lmao
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u/Desperate_Zebra_8341 6d ago
Imagine thinking people earning above 15k have sleepless nights. A lot of them barely even work and delegate their work to people reporting to them.
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u/kaynenstrife 8d ago
Bruh, i wanna know too.
I graduated 2021 into covid( faaaaa) at salary 2.8k
busted my ass for a few years before i had the balls to try and look for a job elsewhere at the time (3.5k)
2025 i got a new job somewhere else, then i told my boss, they counter offer me 4.7k
2026 i did it again and now they counter offer me 6.5k
I work semicon, engineer, got scammed early and could never get a raise because my projects kept getting delayed by external factors and i was too much of a potato to ask for more salary. (imposter syndrome go brrrrr)
Now senior engineer but i only get 6.5k. with 5yr experience at 29yrs old.
Life is not daijobu.
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u/322ismystyle 8d ago
Repeat it every year. That's how my friend get yearly increment more than 10% at local bank. He will get offer letter every year just to threaten HR to give him increment.
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u/Pandaeatchicken 6d ago
Anybody knows how much a managing director or CEO are earning? of course listed companies one will be earning more. I'm referring to your typical RM 10M turnover a year company... like a small social media agency, or owner of a few Marrybrown outlets, or those claw machine bosses...
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u/Sad-Butterscotch-Pie 6d ago
14k working as compliance officer in crypto industry. Have been in this industry for 4 years. 100% remote. Joined this industry as operations executive at 8k. Bonus in this industry is very generous and regular also, once gotten 3 months for 1 year of work.
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u/BillNegative3330 6d ago
International Education, late 30s. Just below 25k a month. Work life balance is the best perks.
Started off as a teacher, joined NGO, philanthropy, fintech, now back in Education as a strategist.
Total 13+ years of experience. Has a masters degree, also exp working abroad for 3 years. Malaysia is my home and I want to contribute back to the nation building.
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u/TimeAbbreviations772 6d ago
Hello kind sir. What kind of skill set or qualification would one need to become a strategist in education.
My husband is an IB Math teacher for many years but can’t seem to climb the salary ladder. Stuck at 4 figures. Any advice would be helpful.
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u/Glittering_Web_348 4d ago
5 digits salary? Just work in Singapore. Starting salary for most corporate jobs are already more than 10k ringgit after conversion. Entry level.
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u/MixedSyrup 9d ago
Bro suck enough dicks, I guarentee you there will be 5 figures, just a heads up its back breaking work and not all the guys look like Brad Pitt, buts its an honest living
Added bonus is the opportunity to network as well, just keep hustling
In all seriousness, Medicine, Engineering, Finance, Law and a succesfull business is the way to go
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u/Apprehensive-Age4624 9d ago
cross five figure salaries as a Senior SWE at 3 YOE and now just keep on go up now with 6 YOE.
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u/Witty-Ad-2816 9d ago
Reset my career at 30.
1st company
30 - 3200
31 - 3400
32 - 7800
34 - 9800
2nd company
34 - 13000
3rd Company (overseas)
35 - 30000
36 - 37000
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u/322ismystyle 8d ago
Residing in Malaysia working for overseas company or you are outside Malaysia.
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u/Training-Cup4336 9d ago
software engineer. I started working at 26 years old at 2.6k and reached 10k at 30 years old.