Last update: 15/12/2025
Choosing the right career after university or even considering a career shift can be a risk that’s highly rewarding.
Especially after the announcement of Budget 2025 presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on October 18th, 2024, the minimum wage will be raised to RM1,700 from RM1,500, starting on February 1, 2025.
That said, choosing the right job is crucial for individuals seeking a balance between good earning potential and career growth opportunities.
If you’re looking to change careers or start fresh, you’ve come to the right place.
Read on for a list of the seven latest high paying jobs in Malaysia!
7 Highest Paying Jobs in Malaysia
1. Surgeon
| Estimated Salary: RM10,000 – 19,000 (or higher) Qualification: Pursue a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBBS). This can take four to six years. |
Due to the nature of their work, surgeons are widely known as a highest paying job over the years.
Surgeons are responsible for performing complex and delicate medical procedures, requiring extensive training and expertise.
This high level of skill is reflected in their salary, making it one of the most high paying jobs in the medical field.
The rigorous educational journey, having to complete medical school and specialized residency training, prepares surgeons to handle life-saving procedures and complex cases, justifying the high salaries associated with this profession.
In addition to the base salary, surgeons can also earn significant income through bonuses and additional compensations, particularly in specialized fields like neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and orthopedic surgery.
These specializations often require even more advanced skills and training, further increasing earning potential.
2. Dentist
| Estimated Salary: RM7,000 – RM10,000 (or higher) Qualification: A degree in dentistry recognised by the Malaysian Dental Council (MDC). This usually takes five years to finish in Malaysia. |
Dentists command high salaries due to a confluence of factors.
The rigorous educational journey, encompassing a four-year undergraduate degree followed by four years of dental school, necessitates a substantial investment in time and resources.
This extensive training equips dentists with specialized skills and in-depth knowledge in oral health, encompassing the diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases, the execution of oral surgeries, and the provision of cosmetic dentistry.
This expertise is highly valued in the job market, contributing to their high earning potential.
Furthermore, the persistent demand for dental services, driven by the importance of oral health in overall well-being, creates a favourable market for dentists.
Many dentists also embrace entrepreneurial opportunities by establishing their own private practices, granting them greater control over their income and potentially leading to higher earnings compared to employment within larger dental groups.
3. Lawyer
| Estimated Salary: RM5,000 – RM8,000 Qualification: After completing Law Degree, you must sit for the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) examination, which usually require an additional year of study. |
Lawyers can specialize in multiple fields, including corporate law, criminal defense, intellectual property, and more.
Each specialization comes with its own set of challenges and rewards, often translating into high financial compensation.
For instance, corporate lawyers navigate complex mergers and acquisitions or handle intricate contractual negotiations, and are among the top earners in the legal field.
In addition to their base salary, lawyers can significantly increase their earnings through performance bonuses, billable hours, and successful case outcomes.
High-profile cases or representing major corporations can lead to exceptional financial rewards, making it a high paying job for commission-based income.
The path to becoming a lawyer requires rigorous education and training, including obtaining a law degree and passing the bar exam.
However, the financial rewards and the potential for career growth make it a highly sought-after profession.
4. Data Scientist
| Estimated Salary: RM7,000 – RM9,000 Qualification: Obtained a degree in related field such as Computer Science, Statistics and Information Technology. |
In today’s world, where AI adoption is accelerating across every industry, the role of a data scientist has become even more critical.
They use their analytical and technical skills to analyse large datasets, spot trends, and build predictive models that support smarter decision making.
They also maintain scalable and efficient data infrastructure, ensuring companies can manage growing data needs.
Their work often intersects with business strategy, as they help leaders translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
With AI now central to business operations, data scientists play a key role in developing and optimising machine learning models, allowing companies to automate processes, personalise user experiences and predict future outcomes.
This combination of technical depth and strategic impact makes data scientists highly sought after, driving strong demand and competitive salaries across multiple sectors.
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineer
| Estimated Salary: RM6,000 – RM10,000 Qualification: Obtained a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, IT or related fields. |
AI engineers design, build and deploy AI and machine learning models that help organisations automate processes and make smarter decisions.
Their work involves developing algorithms, training models, building data pipelines and integrating AI systems into real world applications.
They also ensure these models are efficient, scalable, and reliable, working closely with data scientists and software teams to turn business requirements into practical AI solutions.
With strong skills in programming, system architecture, and model optimisation, AI engineers play a crucial role in shaping modern digital products and platforms.
Demand for this role continues to accelerate across tech, finance, healthcare, logistics and property industries, making AI engineers highly sought after and well compensated for the impact they bring to organisations.
6. Civil Engineer
| Estimated Salary: Around RM5,000 – RM8,000 Qualification: Complete an engineering degree recognised by the Engineering Accreditation Department, Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM). |
As urban populations grow and nations develop, the demand for skilled engineers to create and maintain infrastructure remains consistently high.
The profession requires a deep technical understanding of structural analysis, materials science, and construction methods, often demanding years of education and hands-on experience.
The responsibility civil engineers carry is significant, as they are tasked with ensuring the safety and durability of structures that are essential for daily life, transportation, and even disaster resilience.
Many civil engineers benefit from opportunities for career growth and salary increases through advanced education or unionized positions, making it a financially rewarding profession.
7. Real Estate Agent / Real Estate Negotiator
| Estimated Salary: RM11,000 – Unlimited Qualification: No basic qualification. You can start with SPM certificate. |
In a booming real estate market, successful real estate negotiators can earn large incomes, making it one of the highest paying jobs in the sales sector.
Having good communication, leadership skills and interpersonal skills is the key to exceptional financial rewards in this field.
Anegotiator’s income potential is primarily driven by commissions. This means that their earnings can vary significantly based on the deals they close.
Unlike fixed salary roles, the appeal of a high paying job for commission like real estate negotiators lies in the opportunity to benefit from a pay structure that rewards their skills, effort, and success in closing deals.
Plus, you do not require a degree to be a real estate negotiator, which is perfect for fresh graduates and those who want to kickstart their career without any prior experience.
Stepping into a new career can be daunting. However, with the right support and a healthy amount of risk appetite, switching careers may just be the best decision you can make.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best AI career?
Top roles include machine learning engineers, AI researchers, data scientists, AI product managers, robotics engineers, NLP engineers, and computer vision engineers.
How much do you get paid in Malaysia for artificial intelligence?
AI salaries in Malaysia vary depending on experience and role. Junior AI engineers generally start around RM7,000 to RM9,000 a month, while senior roles can range from RM14,000 to RM20,000 or higher. Overall, AI specialists tend to earn well above the national average due to the high demand for skilled talent.
Which job gets the highest salary in Malaysia?
The highest-paying jobs in Malaysia are usually C-suite roles (CEO, CFO, COO) and senior directors in finance, tech, healthcare, and oil & gas. These positions typically earn RM20k to over RM60k monthly, with top executives reaching around RM720k annually.
Who is the CEO of AI Malaysia?
Shamsul Izhan Abdul Majid, CEO of Malaysia’s National AI Office (NAIO), highlights the agency’s achievements since its launch and outlines his ambitions for the country’s AI development.
If you’re looking to get the most out of your efforts, why not join IQI Realty Sdn Bhd? Thrive together with people who work hard and play hard. Get in touch below!
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