Top 10 highest paying jobs in Malaysia in 2020

Whether you are negotiating for a promotion at your current job, evaluating a new job opportunity, or looking towards the future and planning out a career path, it’s important to do your research into market and salary trends and what your peers in Malaysia are earning.

Salary is one of the primary factors for any job search, and motivators for any professional. As such, we did some research, and evaluated salaries across a wide range of jobs across different industries and sectors and put it all together in our comprehensive Salary Guide 2020 to find the highest paying jobs in Malaysia in 2020. Here are 10 that earn the most.

1. Roles within the C-suite: CEO, CFO, COO

Unsurprisingly, jobs within the C-suite command the highest salaries, with Chief Executive Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Operations Officers and other c-suite roles commanding the most across industries and functions. As the top stakeholder for their function, with high levels of responsibility, complex teams and in some cases, management across multiple countries, those in the C-suite report salaries of up to RM 600,000.

2. Managing Director

The role of a Managing Director has some variety in terms of responsibilities, depending on the industry and complexity of the organisation, but no matter the variation, it’s a well-paid position. Managing Directors, particularly in the Engineering and Manufacturing industry, can expect to make up to RM 600,000 as they are senior members of the leadership team in any organisation and manage complex decisions about the direction of the company.

3. Head of Shared Services Centre

Malaysia is an attractive country within APAC for many companies to place their Shared Services Centre (SSC), especially if they focus operations within South East Asia. It is a key role that must manage all support services, which usually includes Finance, Admin, Procurement, Legal, HR and Marketing. Professionals that reach this level can expect to make up to RM 720,000.

4. Finance Director/Head of Finance

The finance sector in Malaysia is growing, particularly in the areas of Fintech and Investments, ensuring that the Finance Director or Head of Finance for any organisation is key to moving the organisation forward. Professionals that reach this level can expect to make up to RM 500,000.

5. Director of Sales and Director of Marketing

Sales and marketing are two distinct functions, but they work very closely together. As consumer preferences shift, it’s not enough for companies to keep doing the same thing that they have done for years. As such, it’s important to talented, innovative, forward-thinking professionals into these 2 pivotal roles in order to maintain market share and grow within the industry. As such a Director of Sales or Marketing in Malaysia can command a salary of anywhere from RM 420,000 to RM 500,000.

6. Senior Product Manager

As the technology industry grows globally, the role of product manager becomes essential to getting new products to market in an effective way. Due to the key role that this professional plays in the success of new projects, a Senior Product Manager can make up to RM 300,000 for their work.

7. Head of Operations/Operations Director

Responsible for the overall direction, growth and coordination between key departments within an organisation, the Head of Operations or Operations Director is an important one when it comes to profitability and function within an organisation. Professionals in this job can make a salary of up to RM 360,000.

8. Quality Director

With a robust engineering and manufacturing industry, professionals within quality assurance are in high demand, and an experienced, knowledgeable Quality Director can expect to make up to RM 360,000, depending on industry and the company itself.

9. Head of Corporate Banking

As the professional in charge of corporate banking and investments, the Head of Corporate Banking can command a salary of up to RM 600,000 for the work they do. As a key role for growth, professionals in this role are essential to success.

10. Engineering Director (Healthcare)

The healthcare and pharmaceuticals industries are booming in Malaysia, and professionals of all functions within these industries are in high demand, with high salary offers to go along with that demand. Among the highest we found was for Engineering Directors within Healthcare, who can expect to make up to RM 400,000.

Keep these jobs in mind as you plan out the next step in your career - then have a look at all the open jobs in Malaysia.