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Fair salary for an expat working in an office/job in KL?

Last activity 28 January 2023 by Philip2023

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kl_keren

Hi there,

I am having following question:

if you are coming from germany and finished a vocational training in business administration and alreadz have a decade working experience in germany as well bit volunteer working experience in south-east-asia, what could be a fair salary for an expat in KL? It would be for a "normal" office job in a originally german company based in KL. Contract would be local malay one.

I know it can not be the same salary like one would have back in Germany, but as we also know expats usually earning more salary than local employees.

I need to get an idea what could be a fair expectation for my future interview.
can you give some feedback?

thank you!

Kind regards!

kl_keren

hey guys, any input on this? :)

kl_keren

any help please =)

rajat_08

in Malaysia average salary for locals is around RM 3k to RM 10K.
for expats its 40% higher as companies are providing expat allowances.

so depends upon experience and requirement for expat salary range can be RM 7 k to RM 15 K even more but this is the average.

Additionally for expats companies are providing a good health insurance.

Thanks hope this clarifies any doubt free feel to message.

kl_keren

Hey rajat, thanks a lot!
So in my case it wouldn't be the classical expat position, more compared to a local position.

So it would be a local position but worked by a german with some working experience.

So would you say 15K MYR per month is a realistic salary?

kl_keren

rajat_08 wrote:

in Malaysia average salary for locals is around RM 3k to RM 10K.
for expats its 40% higher as companies are providing expat allowances.

so depends upon experience and requirement for expat salary range can be RM 7 k to RM 15 K even more but this is the average.

Additionally for expats companies are providing a good health insurance.

Thanks hope this clarifies any doubt free feel to message.


Hey rajat, thanks a lot!
So in my case it wouldn't be the classical expat position, more compared to a local position.

So it would be a local position but worked by a german with some working experience.

So would you say 15K MYR per month is a realistic salary?
How much would I need to spend (round about) for health insurance? Is it mandatory by law?

Guest402958

Hi Keren,

Salary would depend on the company, industry and position.  So your assessment will be based on those items.  There are some expats that get below 10k. In most cases rates are inclusive of allowances.

micern

Hi Keren,

It always "depends", but if your company in Germany is planning to move you here, I would expect at least MYR 20,000/month, plus some housing allowance (MYR 3-4,000). Depending on your seniority and the level of responsibility in your role, the salary could go higher.

Hope this helps.

Nemodot
You can't just get an "office job" in KL/Malaysia.

To justify a work permit you need to.be an expert eg oil and gas engineer, heart surgeon, leading researcher or a teacher. Admin hell no.

Average middle class salaries for locals is 12-25k a month, don't look ar averages for cleaners and farm workers that others do. Pay inequality is high in Malaysia.

Minimum salary for an expat for a real expat is now 25,000 RM per month, plus free accommodation, full expat healthcare and 2 places mimiimum in a good international school. Anything less for a professional is too low.

That is lower than it was once. But that is progress and a pandemic.

kl_keren

You can't just get an "office job" in KL/Malaysia.To justify a work permit you need to.be an expert eg oil and gas engineer, heart surgeon, leading researcher or a teacher. Admin hell ...  - @Nemodot Hi,I applied for a position which is as described. It's therefore not the typical expat position but more a local position. After some research and studying I think that 80k per year or 6.7k/month is an average salary for an office worker position which is described as a more local position. Is this ok? 

Lqed

@kl_keren Min. salary is RM5k, this is the guideline from LHDN for any expat to be hired by any company in Malaysia, from there depends on your experience and what you can get the company to pay. After 10 years living and working in Malaysia I've personally started my own company and now only take US clients. Since the lockdowns and MCO it's been much more difficult for expats to get hired and the pay has been reduced in many areas. The rest I leave to you:)

Lqed

@Nemodot Not sure where you've gotten your information but I've worked with International school in Malaysia for 10 years and minimum salary has always been 5k across the board from any industry. As for international schools your pay goes higher and more perks offered but I've seen certified American school teacher get RM7,000 up to RM13,000, the latter being at Garden International School, I believe 10k was at Nexus. If you're talking higher than that then you'd be referring to ISKL as one of the top paying schools in KL and also they cater to the expats working at larger companies who do get accommodations and such. For international schools I suggest the German international school in Singapore, my best friend gets 11 0r 13k SGD there. Malaysia pay rate is lower, you can get hired in the business section, I've personally done corporate trainings and developed programs for a range of companies including Samsung. But the most basic salary requirement from LHDN (Malaysia's Tax Office) is and always has been 5k for full-time workers. Many company's aren't hiring expats currently because it has become more difficult to provide working visas. I'm under a spouse visa and have often found it difficult for my CV to be looked at even though I placed American with spouse visa and working permit at the top of the CV. Better to work online and get paid in USD and work as a digital nomad if you have the tech skills.

cvco
Its important to point out that there is a minimum allowed salary for an expat. Thats not exactly good news. If an expat is qualified and hireable for a job that pays rm2,000/mo, you are not allowed to take it because it falls below the minimum. Is the min 5,000 now? Im not sure, but it would mean you cant look at jobs that dont pay at least that much. If its rm20,000 then you cant look at jobs below that....and.... likewise if you are not qualified for the jobs offered that pay that, you have your full answer right there.

Office jobs, just forget it because locals can do it or be easily trained for it. Malaysia wants people with specialized skills that are not readily available and in industries its trying to grow. Its possible to work as a temporary consultant or other for a particular project and also as a foreign teacher if you have those credentials but again only if the employer can meet the minimum salary required by the govt.
Nemodot
@Lqed where did you get your daft figs?


GIS pay 23k, well they did 7 years ago.  That's base pay, before responsibility allowances. I am an international school teacher and know the rates. True some low end schools pay as low as 15k, but even middle tier schools pay 18-20k for expat teachers. And I am using older figures.


Me I moved out of KL schools as 25k isn't enough pay these days.
Syed Abdul Khaliqh
@Lqed
Hi Sir
Would you be able to guide me for the work online as you said
I am too a spouse visa looking out for a job opportunity
Currently facing the low salary problem with any of the companies I am applying
Please advise
Thank you
Yoginee
Hi @Syed Abdul Khaliqh,

Welcome to expat.com

I invite you to create your CV on the page Jobs in Malaysia which will be useful in your job search.

If you have more queries do not hesitate to create a new discussion on the Malaysia forum where our members may advise and help you.

Cheers,

Yoginee
Expat.com team
Philip2023

@Nemodot So clearly a gross salary of RM12200/month for an expatriate UK teacher with a child is not enough. Based on your experience and expertise, what should be a good monthly net salary for an expat teacher living in Johor Bahru (asking for after-tax figures to have a more realistic idea in terms of comfort of living and possible savings level)?

Philip2023

Is a gross salary of RM12200/month for an expatriate UK teacher with a child enough to live comfortably in Johor Bahru?


I mean, assuming you try to buy local products wherever possible, how much RM/month is needed to leave well in this city?


Thanks


Philip2023

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