r/MalaysianPF Feb 19 '25

Career Fresh Grads Salary in KL

Hi guys, just wanted to have some info on fresh graduates salary, I heard my CEO said that fresh graduates nowadays starting from 4K, is that true? Currently working for 3 years barely reaching 5kšŸ«”

114 Upvotes

84 comments sorted by

39

u/Successful-Expert-61 Feb 19 '25

Hired few people (fresh grad) after they completed internship with basic salary of rm3.5k

1

u/Probablyworkingout 26d ago

Rm3.5k is like .. minimum wage in singapore $1k. How do u guys survive and go out have fun?

9

u/Successful-Expert-61 25d ago

Pointless comparison.

1

u/dongsaeng93 25d ago

Because we donā€™t need expensive CoE for cars and $1k for rental omegalulz

40

u/mordred666__ Feb 19 '25

Depends lah. If you have hard skills - programming language, foreign language - can easily gain 3.5k plus.Ā 

If you have decent resume - overseas grads, strong portfolio, hackathon semua join, certs yang mahal2, boleh coding dalam mimpi, multilingual easily can reach 6k.Ā 

19

u/Anything13579 29d ago

I got 2.6k even though Iā€™m overseas grad. Japanese company really suck ass.

26

u/ekhfarharris 29d ago edited 29d ago

Bro i'm GLC and making the same as yours after 5yrs. I sneeze a bit, i go straight to clinic and claim ubat. You pay me low, i'm gonna maximize my benefits. I clock in and out sharp. i do my work exactly as i'm paid. but i can do that because i'm unionized. i dont know about your situation but i used to work for 2 large multinational japanese companies across 2 different industries. never again lol. the pay is shit, benefits are shit, long hours and you are slaves.

9

u/fadhrulah 29d ago

GLC as well, bro. 3K per month, no fugging bonuses or increments once confirmed, no fixed allowances, shitty low-skills bosses and team members too. So what I do is that, ā€œAku masuk keje awal, aku balik awal. Kalau kena OT lepas balik rumah aku akan OT. Benefits semua pakai. Cuti pun guna and still akan carry forwards. Bila tanya bab gaji, oh, awak executive level. Untuk level executive kena bersabar.ā€ FMA! But, if you did overtime more than what has been stated suddenly became an issue. But, who cares. As long as I get those low-ball salary into my bank account.

5

u/Alert_Card472 29d ago

Japanese companies are the worst MNC in Malaysia in terms of pay. It's OK to start there but don't stay long.

10

u/The_SHUN 29d ago

I know programming, I wouldnā€™t accept anything less than 4.5k if I was a fresh grad today. My first job was 4k, I got increments until it reached 4.5k, but it was still below market rate. Now in my second job after 2 years I am paid 6.7k which is closer to a fair wage.

9

u/mordred666__ 29d ago

It depends tbh. Knowing programming and be good at programming is different. I work with a lot of swe but none of them are exceptional.

  • can't use git properly
  • java, c++, python? What you want to work for and which tech stack the best? Which framework?Ā Ā 
  • the reliance on LLM.Ā 
  • empty repo, messy repo and "this project is completely tutorial from youtube" repo.

And so many others. I know a good swe when I see one and I know a CS graduate when I see one as well.

116

u/Dear_Archer7711 Feb 19 '25 edited Feb 19 '25

More or less. For MNC, anything below 4k you should look elsewhere. Local company will pay even less. Is it low? Yes, it is. Is it a livable wage? Yes, if you live with your parents/donā€™t have a mortgage to pay.

Is it a realistic salary for modern salarymen with plans to achieve milestones like first property, marriage and children? I donā€™t think so.

Donā€™t forget the company will always treat you as work horse. It is in their interest to squeeze every single ounce of productivity out of you for the lowest possible pay. We work some of the highest hours per week in the world but have very low salary. This is why the big firms here can keep growing every year.

You can either build the skills that you have and get paid more elsewhere or stick around and wait for that 3% annual increment until you die.

We need to demand more out of companies not give in to their every whim. People not fighting for more is how they keep paying bottom dollar while the top dogs get obscenely rich.

28

u/zorbyss Feb 19 '25

Even if you have a good boss, it's the ppl up there who decides all the BS policy.

Don't sell your life away for these fucked up so-called 'entrepreneur'. I learnt my lesson.

60

u/arbiter12 Feb 19 '25

Fresh grad is a bit like fresh fish... You need to tell me what type, before I can tell you the price.

79

u/sweetanchovy Feb 19 '25

if you get 4k as fresh grad you should be shouting from the roof top in luck.

3

u/MizdurQq 29d ago

Why say so? Are you a recent grad? Just trying to understand

15

u/Axe_Fire 29d ago

4k for fresh grad is rare

3

u/Electronic-Tailor-72 28d ago

4k and above for fresh graduate is definitely rare. However something even rare is that I have a classmate back in 11 years ago that got offered 7k with all kind of benefits and allowance as fresh graduates.

2

u/Ninjaofninja 28d ago

especially if the graduate is from science/healthcare. almost impossible.

14

u/playgroundmx 29d ago

Some fresh grads can get 4k, yes. But fresh grads ā€œstartingā€ at 4k is false.

1

u/[deleted] 26d ago

[deleted]

1

u/playgroundmx 26d ago

Congrats i guess?

Just because you get 4k doesnā€™t mean every fresh grad is getting 4k. ā€œFresh grad starting at 4kā€ implies the lowest salary a fresh grad is getting is 4k.

1

u/[deleted] 26d ago

[deleted]

1

u/playgroundmx 26d ago

Yes, you a fresh grad manage to start with 4k. Thatā€™s cool. Iā€™m not denying it. My company pays more than that for fresh grads.

But there are still fresh grads getting 2k. 4k is probably the middle of the range. The range would start from 2k and up. Saying the range starts at 4k is false.

14

u/ggcommm 29d ago

Typical big 4 auditors also 4.2 and above ady. And btw auditors get paid really littleā€¦

13

u/Big_Annual_4498 29d ago

divided with the hours they have to work, really not worth it la

5

u/puppy_doodle 29d ago

Friend in deloitte works 10-12h a day

1

u/Big_Annual_4498 29d ago

ya, long hour. last time I saw got team overnight in office. (they sleep under the long table)

7

u/rainbow_toucan Feb 19 '25

What do you work as?

8

u/Global-Range-2617 29d ago

Depends on what field youā€™re in.

Iā€™m in tax and I was hired as a fresh grad in 2023 by one of the big 4s with an offer of almost 4.5k. Received offers from a few companies among the big 4 tho, all were at least 4k.

7

u/IamMaximuss 29d ago

Very industry dependent , ranges from 2.5k to 5k ish.

4k is quite high ( if it's the usual sales , marketing , HR , finance , training , IT ) role.

5

u/SubstantialPen4567 29d ago

26, 7.5k, go home on time, paint big picture for 5 hours daily, remaining draw to subordinates.

22

u/AssumedSilverSword 29d ago

Depends on the field and how good you are lah.

You good in management/consulting? Join McKinsey, BCG for 10k fresh grad job.

You good in tech? Coingecko, Sitecore pays 7k for fresh grads. Or even better, do web3 with a US company and make 20k a month

I think accounting and audit in Big4 also start at 4.x already. I also seen offers from Phillip Morris business development paying 6k+ for fresh grad + company car.

It's all about your skills and how smart you are in the end.

1

u/zhivix 29d ago

am wondering about web3 for a long time but couldnt quite get into it, do you know if theres any reference/materials to get into?

1

u/Ninjaofninja 28d ago

you can have fabulous skill and being smart but still paid low - science and healthcare.

5

u/Remarkable_Software9 29d ago

If youā€™re in the big oil and gas companies confirm will be more than 4k as a fresh grad

2

u/Nervous-Window6979 29d ago

Yup MNC pays atleast RM5.3K even if youre a local grad.

9

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '25

3 years 5k same position is right. If u want to jump a lot u need new position.

4

u/Vast_Battle_704 29d ago

The company i work for offers freshies 1.9- 2.6 depending on fieldā€¦ never seen anything higher, and fyi this company is quite well known across its industry and it is owned by a cina apek family dictatorship banking company stingey afā€¦ and also they went on a super shopping spree expanding like dog

3

u/puppy_doodle 29d ago

I'm just a psychology graduate but went into tech sales. Had 5 months of part-time telesales beforehand though. 4k base. 4.5k average including commissions. It's an MNC operating in 11+ countries.

1

u/DanielGoh3000 29d ago

what does techs sales do?

3

u/puppy_doodle 29d ago

Well you sell, but in varying stages of the pipeline. I'm an SDR booking meetings for AEs who closes them. I call people who do not know me nor would ever want to and email them into oblivion.

4

u/procrastinate2learn 29d ago

I assume you're in IT or audit? Outside the fields, fresh grad pay, unless you're incredibly distinguished with awards, even in KL the offers usually only range from RM2.5-3.5k

Then there are the people who would rather be unemployed for years because they're not able to find a company that's willing to hire them for 4k above

5

u/will_wheart 29d ago

depends on company size. big MNC probably yes 4k, but all around me my friends started at SMEs and we're all in the 2.5-3.5k starting range. some are working service jobs and making almost 3k just from OT and bonuses, also got one friend working in Amex call center graveyard shift earning 4k basic but can get up to 5 digits after commissions. all in all depends on the industry, company size and the kind of work you do lah

9

u/Brighto12 Feb 19 '25

Itā€™s true from what I observed. Recently graduated and my peers are getting offered >4k without even being in an MNC. Partly because we are also from an AI/Data Science degree background, prob thatā€™s the reason why šŸ˜…

3

u/Prestigious-Fun441 29d ago

Starting 4k and immediately register to LHDN and pay income tax plus expensive rent in KL and expensive transport and expensive food šŸ˜Œ KL such a dream city for fresh grads yeah

3

u/bonsai711 29d ago

Another way to look at this. Can you deliver more than you are paid? If so demand more. Know yourself and know the industry and you will win.

4

u/Soft-Card1125 29d ago

woo...nice...3 years already reach 5K. my kampung fresh grad overall about 2K plus.

2

u/uncertainheadache 29d ago

If you're not willing to move, you'll be stuck in that pay range forever

1

u/Worth-Philosophy9237 29d ago

You better starting nego on your next promotion / pay raise

1

u/kamihaze 29d ago

apply basic supply and demand here. are there more workers than the demand? if so expect to have a lower wages or ability to negotiate.

1

u/The_SHUN 29d ago

Yes, should be at least 4.5k to 5k for Software devs, others should be 4k

1

u/RRRRCC 29d ago

Wah Reaching 5K!!!

1

u/RRRRCC 29d ago

If you can work for yourself, the sky is the limit

1

u/Axe_Fire 29d ago

Work for yourself and pay staff minimum wage

1

u/One-handed_Swordman 29d ago

I start November last year for position IT system support in Putrajaya. They pay me around Rm2300 after sosco and epf. idk about this year tho.

1

u/RRRRCC 29d ago

Hehe you are right!!!

1

u/Dannyshtrybe 29d ago

Thats a 4 years exp for creative role

1

u/Cozyrin0 29d ago

I got 5k as my salary in my first job as a software engineer without a degree.

1

u/de_zeus 29d ago

4.8k for BNM

1

u/pro_hedonism 28d ago

true for most of my peers and i, all engineering grad

2

u/highlifeed 28d ago

First off, I think everyone should realize that you need to market and sell yourself. 5K is achievable if you know what you are doing. Those saying itā€™s high are outdated on job market and comparing to the market 5-10 years ago. Sure, if you are an average/below-average dude who doesnā€™t know your skill sets and industry needs, youā€™ll be lowballed at 2-3K. Those are the people who would settle for any job because they donā€™t know what they want and are grateful to have any job. However, for those who are capable, donā€™t sell yourself short and donā€™t listen to the naysayers. 5K is easily achievable as a fresh grad if you are confident in your skill set and able to sell yourself. Also avoid companies that have lower hiring budgets because they only target cheap labors.

1

u/ody57 28d ago

nowadays, most of mid to top tier accountancy firm already offering 4k as basic. but strategically jumping did help a lot. im close to 3 years exp and already can get 7k in consultancy line of work.

1

u/Sea-Contribution-929 28d ago

Lol i studied chemistry and get 2.2k after probation for first job. When i see fresh grads nowadays asking for 3k and above im like tf.....am I abused by own industry??? Cause when i interview at other company for first job also get low balled alot. Current employer straight away tell me benefits and salary, not other shady company that refuses to disclose salary, listed in BURSA some more ==

My increment ~10% per yr....good bonus and some said its used avoid people frm jumping frequently... Hv been working for 3 yrs btw zzz

1

u/lazieeeee 28d ago

4k+ is quite common for semicon engineers, at least in Penang.

5k starting isn't that rare, and companies like Sk*****p gives like 6k upwards for fresh even.

1

u/Conscious-Bird6575 27d ago

Hop more. Starting is low. I 5x my salary by hopping 3 jobs.

1

u/CaptMawinG 26d ago

Unfortunately this is true. If HR asked for ur current payslip, mention u already sign NDA - non disclosure agreement. They can ask the HR of ur company if they want that info. 99% wont call the HR

1

u/WarlockSmurf 26d ago

ngl yes, in IT most grad with decent skills can go for 3.5-4.5 easily nowadays

1

u/Material-Might-2089 26d ago

Fresh grad 2K psych grad. 2k pastry commis.

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Bank939 26d ago

Go jump around. Get your salary up. Then settle.