Curious how your monthly income measures up to others in Malaysia? Thanks to the latest findings from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), you can now see where you stand.
In its Employee Wages Statistics (Formal Sector), First Quarter 2025 report, DOSM has detailed how earnings differ across age groups, genders, states, and industries. The national median monthly wage in the formal sector now stands at RM3,000, marking a 5.5% rise from March 2024.
Photo via Malay Mail
Wages Rise with Age... Until They Don’t
The data suggests that Malaysians tend to earn more as they grow older, with wages generally increasing until people reach their late forties. At that point, incomes peak before gradually declining as workers near retirement age.
Here’s how median monthly wages compare by age group:
Interestingly, the under-20 group recorded the highest year-on-year wage growth, with a 13.3% increase, despite having the lowest overall income.
The Gender Pay Gap Persists — But It’s Narrowing
As of March 2025, men working in the formal sector earned a median wage of RM3,000, just RM18 more than their female counterparts, who earned RM2,982.
While the gap may appear small, DOSM’s data reveals that men consistently earn more across every age group, reflecting a gender pay disparity that continues to persist, though slowly improving.
Top and Bottom Earners by Industry
Not all jobs pay equally, and the report highlights just how wide the range can be across industries. Here are the sectors with the highest and lowest median wages:
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Mining and quarrying: RM8,800
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Finance and insurance: RM7,700
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Information and communication: RM6,100
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Utilities: RM4,482
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Construction: RM3,000
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Manufacturing: RM2,809
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Agriculture: RM2,200
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Hospitality (food, beverages, and accommodation): RM2,045
Agriculture saw a notable 10% wage growth, but still remains one of the lowest-paid sectors.
Kuala Lumpur Tops in Pay, Selangor Leads in Jobs
Photo via Human Resources Online
Geographically, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest median wage at RM4,445, followed by Selangor at RM3,300 and Penang at RM3,000, which is on par with the national median.
States with the lowest earnings include Kelantan and Perlis (RM1,800), and Sabah (RM2,000).
In terms of formal sector employment, Selangor leads the way with 1.91 million workers, followed by Kuala Lumpur (1.4 million) and Johor (730,000).
What’s Driving Wage Growth?
According to DOSM, the rise in national median wages reflects continued economic activity, relatively low unemployment, and increased workforce stability. As Malaysia moves forward, wage patterns like these offer insight into the country's evolving economic health and labour dynamics.
