Discussing salaries isn’t just about numbers; it unveils fascinating stories of career shifts and challenges faced at work.
Income differences and career moves are like plot twists in everyone’s journey, revealing a lot about their professional experiences.
M’sian doctor earns RM70K monthly
Recently, a TikTok video spotlighted a Malaysian paediatrician’s leap from public service to private practice.
She’s now raking in RM60,000 to RM70,000 a month, compared to her previous RM16,000 to RM20,000 as a government consultant.
“I earn about RM60,000 to RM70,000 per month. When you are a consultant in government, maybe you will get about RM16,000 to RM20,000.”
Starting out with a modest RM2,500 salary in the public sector, she hustled for 15 years, bumping it up to about RM4,000 with allowances.
“15 and 16 years ago, my basic pay was only RM2,500. With the allowances, I would get around RM4,000.”
Reflecting on her decision to transition to the private sector, she highlighted how her income quadrupled compared to her government salary.
“It’s a high jump, four times more than my government salary—to the private sector, and I’ve always dreamed of becoming a doctor,” she shared.
35-40 hours straight without sleep
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Balancing gruelling medical training with mum duties, she survived insane 35 to 40-hour shifts without sleep.
“When I was in training, I had my child, so I didn’t spend much time with my son. That’s why you just have to get through each day, especially during on-calls when we have to be in the hospital for 35 to 40 hours straight without sleep.”
Addressing aspiring medical professionals and current students, she offered valuable advice gleaned from her own experiences.
“You have to survive the training because there’s always stress in any job. Stress isn’t just in the medical field; every job has it. During training, you have to learn how to cope. After that, it gets easier.”
Looking at the comments, many were amused by the earnings she makes now and have shared their thoughts on it.
One person wrote: “I always thought this career topped out at RM10,000 to RM15,000, man. Oil and gas folks make more than that. Turns out, being a doctor pays well after all.”
Another person commented: “Actually, earning RM60,000 to RM70,000 a month is just average. Surgeons average RM100,000 to RM200,000 a month.”
And another added: “Only private consultants, not those in government hospitals. Kudos to all government hospital doctors—they stick around despite lower pay and constant criticism, serving those in need.”
Watch the clip here:
