The average monthly salary and wages of Malaysian citizens increased by 4.1% to RM3,803 in 2025, up from RM3,652 in the previous year, according to the latest report by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
The findings were published in the Malaysia Salaries and Wages Survey Report 2025 on Monday (21 September), highlighting positive growth in workers’ earnings across several sectors and skill categories.
Median monthly wages also increased
Alongside the rise in average earnings, Malaysia’s median monthly salary and wages grew by 5.3%, increasing from RM2,793 in 2024 to RM2,940 in 2025.
The number of overall monthly salary and wage recipients also rose to 12.01 million, compared to 11.96 million the previous year.
Malaysian citizens accounted for 10.38 million, or 86.4% of all full-time salaried workers.
The services sector remained the largest contributor to the number of wage recipients, representing 71.5% of the total. The sector recorded a 1.8% increase, bringing its number of wage recipients to 7.42 million.
Mining and quarrying recorded highest average wages
As reported by Harian Metro, among the major economic sectors, mining and quarrying recorded the highest average monthly salary and wages at RM6,175.
This was followed by:
- Services: RM3,993
- Manufacturing: RM3,357
- Construction: RM3,188
- Agriculture: RM2,575
The figures show differences in average earnings across industries, with mining and quarrying recording the highest reported monthly amount.
Skilled workers continue to earn more
DOSM also reported differences based on workers’ skill levels.
Skilled workers, who made up 36.6% of all wage recipients, recorded the highest average monthly salary and wages at RM5,799, up from RM5,582 in 2024.
Meanwhile, semi-skilled workers accounted for 55.6% of wage recipients and saw their average wages increase by 4.2% to RM2,714.
Workers in the low-skilled category recorded a 2.6% increase, bringing their average monthly wages from RM2,128 to RM2,184.
Putrajaya recorded highest state average
Among the states and federal territories, Putrajaya recorded the highest average monthly salary and wages at RM5,417.
It was followed by Kuala Lumpur at RM4,955, Selangor at RM4,258, Penang at RM3,912 and Labuan at RM3,887.
DOSM said the positive growth in average and median salaries reflected improvements in the labour market and workers’ incomes.
However, the department emphasised that continued efforts to improve productivity, strengthen skills and create higher-value jobs would be important to support sustainable real wage growth and workers’ well-being.
What are your thoughts on Malaysia’s latest salary figures? Let us know in the comments!
Also Read: Penang Ranks 69th Among 402 Safest Cities Worldwide In 2026 Numbeo Index
