With living costs climbing steadily, a fair wage has become a big question mark in Malaysia—especially for young graduates stepping into the job market.
Fresh out of school and into an economy that’s feeling the squeeze, these young job-seekers are wondering: what’s a fair starting salary these days?
This conversation took a turn on TikTok recently when a public university’s account asked graduates what they expected as a starting salary.
Responses varied—some said RM2,000 to RM2,500 would be fair, while others hoped for RM3,000 to RM3,500. A few even suggested RM5,000, a figure that raised eyebrows across social media.
Times have changed, and so should salary expectations
The responses sparked quite a discussion. Some netizens, recalling their own early career days, were quick to critique the graduates’ expectations, urging them to “be realistic.”
They argued that today’s young graduates should align with the job market, not set the bar too high.
On the flip side, a popular TikToker who often shares career advice chimed in with a different perspective.
She felt that expecting a higher starting salary actually makes sense given how much life has changed in the past decade.
“If we keep comparing today’s job market to what it was years ago, young people will never get ahead,” she noted, adding that times have changed, and so should salary expectations.
Are RM3,000 and RM3,500 Realistic?
The TikToker explained that ten years ago, a fresh graduate could expect around RM2,000 to RM2,500.
But with inflation and the rising cost of living, she argued that RM3,000 to RM3,500 is a reasonable ask for today.
“If we’re aiming for a high-income nation, we can’t keep entry-level pay at yesterday’s rates,” she pointed out.
She also mentioned that while expecting RM5,000 as a starting salary may be high, RM3,000 to RM3,500 aligns with the realities of today’s market.
For graduates, it’s not just about covering basic needs—it’s about having enough to start building a stable life.
Watch the clip here:
