Malaysia · Salaries
Typical salaries by role in Malaysia — pay ranges, taxes, and cost-of-living context.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Malaysia has a statutory national minimum wage applying to most employees — but if you are a foreign professional on an Employment Pass, that figure is not the one that governs you. Employment Pass holders face separate, much higher minimum-salary thresholds, raised from 1 June 2026, so the national minimum is irrelevant to that decision. Pay is quoted gross, with income tax and EPF/SOCSO contributions applying, and the Ministry of Human Resources is the authority.
Malaysia has a statutory national minimum wage, set at RM1,700 per month in 2026 (about RM8.18 per hour), applying to most employees. Foreign professionals on an Employment Pass face separate, much higher minimum-salary thresholds (raised from 1 June 2026). Pay is quoted gross; income tax and EPF/SOCSO contributions apply. The Ministry of Human Resources is the authority.
- The national minimum wage is RM1,700/month in 2026 (≈RM8.18/hour) for most employees.
- Employment Pass holders face separate, much higher minimum-salary thresholds (raised 1 June 2026).
- Pay is gross; income tax and EPF/SOCSO contributions apply.
- 1
Work out which threshold governs you
The statutory national minimum wage applies to most employees, but Employment Pass holders face separate, much higher minimum-salary thresholds. Establish which of the two applies before doing anything else.
- 2
Ignore the national figure if on an EP
For a foreign professional on an Employment Pass, the national minimum wage is not the operative number. Quoting it in that context answers a question nobody asked.
- 3
Check the threshold as revised
The Employment Pass thresholds were raised from 1 June 2026. A figure from before that date may understate what an application now needs, so confirm the current level.
- 4
Budget for EPF and SOCSO
Pay is quoted gross, with income tax and EPF/SOCSO contributions applying. EPF builds savings that remain yours while SOCSO buys injury and invalidity cover, so they are not equivalent deductions.
- 5
Use the Ministry as the authority
The Ministry of Human Resources is the authority on the statutory minimum. For the Employment Pass side, confirm the threshold through the immigration route rather than assuming the two are published together.
- Employment status established (local employee vs EP holder)
- Correct threshold identified for that status
- Post-June-2026 Employment Pass level confirmed
- Offer checked against the applicable threshold
- EPF contribution understood as retained savings
- SOCSO contribution understood as cover, not savings
- Ministry source used for the statutory figure
- Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR)
Official minimum-wage and labour authority.
Frequently asked questions
Does Malaysia's minimum wage apply to Employment Pass holders?
It is not the governing figure for them. Employment Pass holders face separate, much higher minimum-salary thresholds, so for a foreign professional the national minimum wage is simply not the relevant number to check.
Have Malaysia's Employment Pass salary thresholds changed?
They were raised from 1 June 2026. A figure from before that date may understate what an application now requires, so confirm the current level through the immigration route rather than assuming it is published alongside the statutory minimum.
Are EPF and SOCSO the same kind of deduction?
No. EPF builds retirement savings that remain yours, while SOCSO buys employment-injury and invalidity cover. Both come off gross pay, but one accumulates a balance for you and the other pays out only on defined events.
Government portals
- MyGovernment Portal — Malaysia government services portal
- Immigration Department of Malaysia — Visas, passes (Employment / DE Rantau) and MM2H
- Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) — Income tax and tax-number registration
- Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) — Foreign investment and manufacturing/services licensing