Malaysia salary trends for 2018

The latest annual Robert Walters Salary Survey revealed that Malaysia has experienced steady hiring activity in 2017. In fact, candidates with high potential or niche skills can expect increments* of between 25-30% when they move jobs in 2018. 

Some other key findings include:

• HR professionals can expect up to 20% salary increases.
• Accounting and finance professionals can expect up to 20% salary increments.
• Salary increment for sales and marketing roles in FMCG and the industrial sector remained at between 15-20% in 2017 - these levels expected to continue in 2018.

In the report, Sally Raj, managing director, Malaysia, Robert Walters, said: "As an attraction strategy, companies should work on building their employer branding initiatives, so that they are seen as an employer of choice by candidates."

"Employees are increasingly looking for greater engagement with their organisations, and hiring managers will need to facilitate a higher level of workforce engagement to retain talent," she added.

[*All salary increments mentioned are for professionals switching jobs.]

Human resources salary trends

Hiring remained steady for HR professionals throughout 2017 - with a slight spike in the first half of the year due to standard bonus cycles. Activity focused predominantly on replacement roles across all seniority levels. For that, organisations optimising their costs in 2018 will look at their internal pool of employees before filling positions with external candidates. The report stated: “To attract the right talent, hiring managers will need to be mindful of the scarcity of niche skills and be flexible in their remuneration offers.”

“Salary limits may need to be stretched to attract top talent, as counter-offers by other prospective and current employers will be common.”

In fact, the findings showed that companies had offered salary hikes of 15- 20% to attract the right talent in 2017 and this is expected to continue in 2018. On that note, HR directors in KL can expect an annual salary of RM300k - RM720k next year. However, HR directors in Penang can expect an annual salary of RM168k - 456k.  

[*All salary increments mentioned are for professionals switching jobs.]

Lead Photo / 123RF

Table / Robert Walters