When it comes to earnings, location can make a significant difference.
The Economic Census 2023 has unveiled that Kuala Lumpur offers the highest average monthly salaries in Malaysia, making it a prime destination for those seeking better financial rewards.
According to the findings, individuals working in Kuala Lumpur earn an average monthly salary of RM4,196, outpacing other states. This is followed by Selangor with RM3,563 and Penang with RM3,496.Â
Top salaries by state
- Kuala Lumpur: RM4,196
- Selangor: RM3,563
- Penang: RM3,496
These figures make Kuala Lumpur a hotspot for job seekers chasing better paychecks.
Other notable states
- Labuan: RM3,491
- Melaka: RM3,115
- Sarawak: RM3,077
- Negeri Sembilan: RM3,025
- Putrajaya: RM2,994
Further down the list are Johor (RM2,987), Terengganu (RM2,793), Kedah (RM2,721), Perak (RM2,679), Pahang (RM2,628), Sabah (RM2,381), Perlis (RM2,253), and Kelantan with the lowest average at RM2,070.
Why Kuala Lumpur leads
Chief Statistician, Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin, explains that Kuala Lumpur’s high salaries are largely due to its booming service sector. For example:
- Telecommunications: RM9,457
- Programming and broadcasting: RM8,629
- Financial intermediation: RM6,946
These sectors offer the highest average salaries in the city.
Selangor and Penang highlight their strengths
Selangor also shows impressive salaries, especially in:
- Telecommunications: RM7,580
- Information and computer programming: RM7,186 and RM7,112
Penang stands out in the manufacturing sector:
- Electrical, electronic, and optical Products Manufacturing: RM4,790
Workforce and wage growth
The census also highlights workforce growth:
- Total workers: Increased by 1.8%, reaching 10 million in 2022.
- Service sector: Grew by 2.8%, totalling 5.8 million workers.
- Manufacturing sector: Grew by 1.5%, with 2.3 million workers.
Interestingly, the agriculture, construction, and mining & quarrying sectors saw a decline in worker numbers.
Rising salaries
Total salaries and wages increased by 5.4% annually, hitting RM354.9 billion in 2022:
- Service sector: Increased by 6.5% to RM204.4 billion.
- Manufacturing sector: Rose by 5.8% to RM97.2 billion.
The average salary across all sectors rose to RM3,332 in 2022, up from RM2,584 in 2015.
