Fresh Graduate Salary Malaysia 2025: Average Pay, Industry & City Comparison

Fresh graduate salaries in Malaysia for 2025 are making headlines and for good reason. On average, a fresh graduate now earns RM 3,085 per month, with those in Kuala Lumpur enjoying slightly higher pay at around RM 3,435. 

Still, a CNA report highlights that 65% of grads are earning below RM 3,000, making it tough to keep up with rising living costs in big cities.

With a competitive job market and rising living costs, knowing where you stand, and which industries pay better — is more important than ever.

If you’re a student planning your first job or a fresh grad figuring out if your offer is fair, understanding the salary trends for 2025 can help you aim higher, negotiate smarter, and plan your next steps with confidence.

How much do fresh graduates earn in Malaysia 2025?

Starting salaries for fresh graduates in Malaysia vary depending on your city, field, and industry. Factors like job location and demand in your field can significantly influence your paycheck.

Fresh Graduate Average Salaries by City

Part-Time and Internship Pay for Students

For students or fresh graduates doing part-time or internships, pay rates are more modest but still a good starting point:

• Part-time jobs: RM 8–15 per hour
• Internships: RM 500–1,200 per month (depending on field and company size)

Fresh Graduate Salary by Industry in Malaysia (2025)

Not all degrees pay the same and the data proves it.

According to JobStreet and Indeed reports, engineering, IT, and finance graduates are among the top earners, while roles in hospitality or creative fields often start lower but offer faster growth opportunities.

Here’s a quick snapshot of average monthly salaries by industry:

Industry Salary Insights for Fresh Graduates in 2025

Income expectations in Malaysia vary widely based on industry demand, job role complexity, and location. Here’s what the 2025 salary landscape looks like across key sectors:

ICT & Finance: Fresh grads in high-demand tech or FinTech roles are starting strong, often with salaries above RM 5,000. “In 2025, IT graduates entering fintech firms are seeing offers close to RM 5,500, compared to RM 4,200 in outsourcing roles,” says a recruiter from Hays Malaysia.

Professional Services: Audit, consulting, and advisory firms reward graduates who hold or are pursuing CPA/ACCA certifications, often with early salary boosts.

Engineering: Roles in semiconductor-driven hubs like Penang can include a ~10% shift allowance, making them more lucrative than other regions.

Healthcare, Construction & Education: These sectors provide stable but modest entry-level pay, appealing to graduates seeking predictable growth and security.

Retail, Hospitality & Logistics: While starting salaries are lower, these industries often offer faster promotion pathways or better work-life balance, making them attractive for career starters.

Salary by Degree Discipline (Malaysia, 2025)

Your degree matters and the figures vary quite a bit depending on what you studied and where you're applying. Here’s a neat summary based on multiple sources:

Key Trends Shaping Graduate Pay in 2025

Graduate salaries in Malaysia are evolving quickly, influenced by industry demand, digital transformation, and changing employee expectations. 

Here’s what fresh graduates need to know before entering the job market:

1. Digital Skills Premium

Graduates with AI, coding, cybersecurity, or data analytics skills are earning a noticeable premium, up to RM 700 more per month compared to peers in general roles. This demand is highest in ICT, fintech, and engineering sectors, where employers are competing for digitally skilled talent. If you’re still studying, consider adding certifications in Python, cloud platforms, or machine learning to boost your employability and starting salary.

2. Regional Pay Gaps

Location plays a key role in salary packages. Fresh graduates in Kuala Lumpur earn roughly 10% more than those in Penang, Johor, or other regions, thanks to higher living costs and greater demand for talent. Interestingly, many remote jobs benchmark salaries at 95% of KL pay, giving graduates a chance to earn competitive salaries while saving on relocation and living expenses.

3. Inflation & Market Shifts

Salaries in Malaysia to rise 5% across all industries in 2025. Fields like cybersecurity, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), and green energy are driving faster salary growth due to global demand and regulatory pressures. Graduates entering these industries can expect higher median starting salaries and faster pay progression.

4. Non-Cash Perks on the Rise

It’s not just about take-home pay anymore. Employers are offering hybrid work options, wellness benefits, and training allowances to attract top graduate talent. These perks can save you thousands of ringgit annually while providing opportunities for upskilling and better work-life balance, factors increasingly valued by Gen Z graduates.

Top Perks Malaysian Employers Offer in 2025

When evaluating a job offer, salary isn’t the only thing that matters. Many Malaysian employers are offering competitive perks and benefits that can significantly boost your overall compensation and quality of life.

How University Reputation May Influence Starting Pay

Your university’s reputation can play a big role in how employers perceive your profile, especially for your first job. Here’s how different types of universities in Malaysia (and beyond) may impact your starting salary and career opportunities:

Flagship Public Universities (UM, UTM, UKM)

These universities carry strong alumni networks, rigorous academic standards, and high employer recognition. Many consistently rank in the QS and THE global rankings, making them highly respected in the job market.

Foreign Branch Campuses (Monash, Nottingham)

Graduating from an international branch campus often signals global readiness. Employers view these degrees as equivalent to their overseas counterparts, which can give you an edge in multinational companies.

Top Private Institutions (Taylor’s, Sunway, APU, MSU)

Many private universities have carved a niche by connecting students directly to industry through internships, career-focused curricula, and strong industry partnerships. While the prestige may differ from public universities, the practical skills, global exposure, and employability training often give graduates a faster start in competitive industries like business, IT, and creative arts.

Mid-tier & Regional Universities

While they may lack global recognition, strong technical or soft skills combined with active networking can help graduates close the salary gap over time.

From Real Grads: On-the-Ground Insights

“No difference in salary, but it definitely increases hiring chances if you graduated from certain universities.” — Malaysian graduate on UM vs. others (Reddit)

“Employers prefer overseas graduates, bonus if you're from the top 10… network is a big sell.” — Student studied exchange program(Reddit)

In the end, reputation opens doors, but your skills, adaptability, and networking will sustain your career growth. For many students, top private universities strike the right balance between industry relevance and employability, making them a solid investment.

5 Factors That Boost Your Salary Offer

Want to stand out in a competitive job market? Employers in Malaysia increasingly value more than just your degree. Here are five key factors that can help you negotiate a higher starting salary right out of university:

1. Relevant Internships: Hands-on experience, especially in high-demand sectors like fintech, AI, or logistics, can increase your entry offer by 10–15%. Employers love candidates who can hit the ground running.

2. Micro-Credentials: Certifications in areas like cloud computing, digital marketing, or data analytics from platforms such as Coursera, AWS, or Google validate your skills and make you a stronger candidate.

3. Trilingual Proficiency: Being fluent in English, Malay, and Mandarin (or another foreign language) can help you land roles with multinational companies and secure salaries that are up to 20% higher than the market average.

4. Soft Skills:  Abilities like business writing, stakeholder management, and problem-solving are critical for leadership roles and can fast-track promotions, leading to salary hikes within your first year.

5. Geographic Mobility: Being willing to relocate to tech hubs like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, or Johor Bahru opens access to higher-paying opportunities in industries such as finance, IT, and manufacturing.

These factors don’t just improve your employability, they help you negotiate confidently and start your career on a stronger financial footing.

Job Expectations in Malaysia For International Students

International students graduating from Malaysian universities can expect competitive entry-level salaries in high-demand fields. Salaries in fields like IT, Engineering, Finance, and Medicine are generally on par with local graduates, often ranging between RM 3,000 to RM 5,000+ depending on industry demand and role.

If you successfully transition to the workforce (with a work visa), you could see salaries aligning with market rates for local grads. However, the minimum salary requirement for foreigners on a work visa is often around RM 5,000+, making some entry-level roles harder to secure.

Visa & Work Regulation Essentials

To work full-time, international students must ensure they have the proper Employment Pass (EP) sponsored by the hiring company. These passes typically align with your role and contract duration.

To transition into full-time employment post-graduation, you’ll need your employer to sponsor a work visa. It typically requires a separate application and may require leaving Malaysia to apply from home.

Unauthorized work can lead to fines, detention, visa cancellation, or deportation.

Future Outlook – 2026 and Beyond 

Fresh graduates, here’s what the road ahead looks like—and how you can align your skills with the jobs of tomorrow:

AI & Data Roles 

Demand for AI and data talent in Malaysia is surging. PwC’s 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer highlights a 103% growth in AI-exposed job postings since 2021. Meanwhile, reports indicate a notable shift towards high-skilled jobs in AI, data analytics, and digital services.

Green Jobs 

Malaysia is rapidly expanding green-sector opportunities. Under its sustainable transition plan, up to 300,000 new green jobs could be created by 2030. Green roles, including those in renewable energy and environmental compliance.

Public Sector

While traditionally conservative, government-linked organizations are increasingly modernizing. As digital transformation and cybersecurity become priorities, public-sector roles are becoming more aligned with private-sector tech salaries.

Gig + Full-Time Hybrid Income 

The traditional 9-to-5 isn’t the only way forward. Many graduates now blend full-time employment with gig work—freelance coding, content creation, or consulting to boost earnings by 15–25%. This hybrid model offers flexibility and extra income. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the average fresh graduate salary in Malaysia?

Most fresh graduates in Malaysia earn between RM 2,500 to RM 3,500 per month, depending on industry, location, and role. For instance, roles in engineering and manufacturing typically fall within RM 3,500–5,000, while those in tech (IT, software, data) can range from RM 4,000 to RM 6,000. 

2. Which jobs offer the highest starting salary in Malaysia?

High-paying entry-level roles are typically found in technology, engineering, and finance, especially in fields like AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, and fintech. Fresh grad software engineers, cybersecurity analysts, and data analysts can command salaries up to RM 6,000 or more at the high end of the range. 

3. Is RM 3,000 a good salary for a fresh graduate in Malaysia?

Yeah, RM 3,000 is quite standard and often considered a solid starting point for many entry-level roles in Malaysia (especially outside top-tier industries like AI or oil & gas). You’re definitely in the average range, with many graduates earning between RM 2,500 and RM 3,500 per month. 

4. How much do IT and engineering fresh graduates earn in Malaysia?

Entry-level IT and software engineering roles typically offer salaries between RM 4,000 and RM 6,000 per month, depending on skills and company type. Fresh engineering graduates' pay varies by discipline: for example, mechanical and electrical engineers often earn RM 1,900–3,500, while computer and petroleum engineers can expect between RM 3,000–4,000 per month.

5. How much can international students earn while working in Malaysia?

As full-time employees post-graduation, international students can earn salaries comparable to local graduates, especially in high-demand fields like IT, engineering, and finance, typically ranging from RM 3,000 to RM 5,000+. However, these roles generally require obtaining a valid Employment Pass (EP).