Teachers play a huge role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
From managing classrooms to inspiring young minds, their contributions are invaluable.
But here’s the big question—do their salaries match the responsibility they carry?
A heated discussion recently took over X when a netizen claimed that teachers in their mid-30s are earning surprisingly high salaries.
‘Teachers earn RM8,000 by 35yo’
Encik DinDin, a netizen, kicked things off with this statement: “Teachers around my age of 34 are earning more than RM8,000. My sisters are all teachers, and I thought their salary wasn’t high.”
His post quickly gained attention, with some agreeing and many others raising their eyebrows. Could teachers really be earning that much so early in their careers?
Netizens have their doubts
Unsurprisingly, many people disagreed.
One netizen said, “I’m 35 and still haven’t hit RM7,000 yet.”
Many pointed out that teachers’ salaries are tied to their civil service grade, meaning it takes years of experience to climb the pay scale.
For most teachers, entering grade DG44—a key milestone—happens around their early 30s. But even then, hitting RM8,000 isn’t common.
“Are there really any teachers at 34 earning that much?” someone asked. The general sentiment? Probably not.
Another netizen shared a personal story: “My parents, both teachers, only started earning RM8,000 when they were nearing retirement.
While it would be great if all teachers could earn such an amount early in their careers, the reality seems more complicated.
Most teachers rely on steady promotions and years of experience to achieve higher pay.
So, is RM8,000 at 34 realistic? For now, it seems like the exception rather than the rule—but, here’s to hoping teachers get the pay they truly deserve one day.
