Foundific

Government starting pay in Malaysia by scheme

What a new degree holder is paid in each grade 9 service scheme: the starting basic salary from the SPA scheme pages, the fixed allowances from the JPA circular, and how the SSPA scale moves after appointment.

Grade 9 is the entry grade for degree holders in the Pengurusan dan Profesional group of the federal public service.

Government starting pay at a glance

RM3,130Highest starting basicPegawai Perubatan Gred UD9
RM2,250Lowest starting basicPenguasa Sempadan Gred KS9
RM4,780Highest with allowancesKuala Lumpur, Kawasan A
RM3,150Lowest with allowancesKuala Lumpur, Kawasan A
66Schemes rankedDegree entry, grade 9
19Schemes with the critical incentiveBIPK on top of allowances
RM a month, 2026. Sources: SPA service scheme pages (gaji permulaan); JPA Pekeliling Perkhidmatan 1/2024, Lampiran E (ITP, ITKA, BISH, BIPK); Ministry of Finance, Budget 2026 Lampiran A (SSPA scale). Totals computed by Foundific.
  • Basic pay: degree-entry schemes at grade 9 start between RM2,250 and RM3,130 a month.
  • With allowances in Kuala Lumpur: RM3,150 to RM4,780 a month.
  • Critical incentive: 19 of the 66 schemes add BIPK on top of the fixed allowances.
  • Highest starting basic: medical officers at grade UD9, RM3,130.
  • Starting salary: each scheme's page at the Public Service Commission (SPA) states the starting basic salary, the gaji permulaan, for each qualification it accepts.
  • One salary range: all grade 9 schemes share one salary range under the SSPA scale.
  • What differs between schemes: where on the range a new officer starts.

This article takes the 66 degree-entry schemes at grade 9 whose SPA page states a starting salary, ranks them by that figure, and adds the fixed allowances a new appointee receives in Kuala Lumpur and the other Kawasan A areas.

Starting basic pay runs from RM2,250 to RM3,130 a month across the 66 schemes. With fixed allowances in Kawasan A the figure runs from RM3,150 to RM4,780.

Part 1 · The rankings

Which schemes start highest?

RankScheme (SPA)Starting basicHighest listed rateCritical incentiveWith allowances, Kawasan A
1Pegawai Perubatan Gred UD9 guide3,130–RM7504,780
2Akauntan Gred WA9 guide3,020––3,920
3Pegawai Pergigian Gred UG9 guide3,020–RM7504,670
4Arkitek Gred J9 guide2,910–RM1653,975
5Pegawai Farmasi Gred UF9 guide2,910–RM7504,560
6Pegawai Veterinar Gred GV92,910––3,810
7Pegawai Perancang Bandar dan Desa Gred J92,6903,130–3,590
8Arkitek Landskap Gred J92,690–RM1653,755
9Jurugeospatial Gred J92,690––3,590
10Jurutera Gred J9 guide2,690–RM1653,755
11Juruukur Bahan Gred J92,690–RM1653,755
12Juruukur Bangunan Gred J92,690––3,590
13Juruukur Gred J92,690––3,590
14Pegawai Penilaian Gred W92,690––3,590
15Pemeriksa Kilang dan Jentera Gred J92,690–RM1653,755
16Pegawai Laut Gred AL92,5803,460RM1653,645
17Pegawai Penyelidik Gred Q92,5803,350RM1653,645
18Pegawai Tadbir dan Diplomatik Gred M9 guide2,5803,350–3,480
19Pegawai Teknologi Maklumat Gred F9 guide2,5803,350–3,480
20Pegawai Geosains Gred C92,5802,690–3,480
21Pegawai Pertanian Gred G92,5802,690RM1653,645
22Juru X-Ray Gred U92,580––3,480
23Jururawat Gred U9 guide2,580–RM1653,645
24Pegawai Dietetik Gred U92,580––3,480
25Pegawai Kawalan Alam Sekitar Gred C92,580––3,480
26Pegawai Kesihatan Persekitaran Gred U92,580––3,480
27Pegawai Meteorologi Gred C92,580––3,480
28Pegawai Optometri Gred U92,580––3,480
29Pegawai Pemulihan Perubatan Gred U9 guide2,580––3,480
30Pegawai Penyediaan Makanan Gred C92,580––3,480
31Pegawai Sains Gred C92,580––3,480
32Pegawai Syariah Gred LS92,580––3,480
33Pegawai Teknologi Makanan Gred C92,580––3,480
34Pegawai Undang-undang Gred L9 guide2,580–RM1653,645
35Pemelihara Hutan Gred G92,580––3,480
36Pengajar Gred U92,580–RM1653,645
37Penolong Pegawai Perubatan Gred U9 guide2,580–RM1653,645
38Pegawai Psikologi Gred S9 guide2,4703,350–3,370
39Juruaudit Gred W9 guide2,4703,240–3,370
40Kurator Gred S92,4703,020–3,370
41Perangkawan Gred E92,4703,020–3,370
42Pustakawan Gred S92,4703,020–3,370
43Pegawai Perikanan Gred G92,4702,800RM1653,535
44Pegawai Latihan Vokasional Gred DV92,4702,690RM1653,535
45Guru Bahasa Gred DG92,470––3,370
46Pegawai Arkib Gred S92,470––3,370
47Pegawai Perkhidmatan Pendidikan Gred DG9 guide2,3603,460RM1653,425
48Pegawai Latihan Gred E92,2503,240–3,150
49Penguasa Kastam Gred WK92,2503,240–3,150
50Pegawai Ehwal Ekonomi Gred E92,2503,130RM1653,315
51Pegawai Perhubungan Perusahaan Gred S92,2503,020–3,150
52Pegawai Penguat Kuasa Gred KP92,2502,910–3,150
53Penguasa Bomba Gred KB92,2502,910–3,150
54Pegawai Hidupan Liar Gred G92,2502,580–3,150
55Pegawai Pendaftaran Gred KP92,2502,580–3,150
56Penguasa Imigresen Gred KP92,2502,580–3,150
57Pegawai Antidadah Gred S92,2502,470–3,150
58Pegawai Belia dan Sukan Gred S92,2502,470–3,150
59Pegawai Hal Ehwal Islam Gred S92,2502,470–3,150
60Pegawai Keselamatan Gred KP92,2502,470–3,150
61Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat Gred S92,2502,470–3,150
62Pegawai Penerangan Gred S92,2502,470–3,150
63Pegawai Pertahanan Awam Gred KP92,2502,470–3,150
64Pegawai Tadbir Gred N92,2502,470–3,150
65Penguasa Penjara Gred KA92,2502,470–3,150
66Penguasa Sempadan Gred KS92,2502,470–3,150
RM a month, 2026. 66 degree-entry schemes at grade 9. Starting basic is the lowest rate the SPA page lists for the scheme; the highest listed rate applies to a specific qualification named on the page, such as a professional membership or a higher degree. With allowances: starting basic plus ITP, ITKA and BISH for Kawasan A (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Penang, the Klang Valley, Seremban, Johor Bahru), plus BIPK where the scheme is critical. Sources: SPA service scheme pages (gaji permulaan); JPA Pekeliling Perkhidmatan 1/2024, Lampiran E (ITP, ITKA, BISH, BIPK); Ministry of Finance, Budget 2026 Lampiran A (SSPA scale). Totals computed by Foundific.

The medical officer scheme (Pegawai Perubatan UD9) starts highest at RM3,130, followed by accountants (WA9) and dental officers (UG9) at RM3,020, then architects, pharmacists and veterinary officers at RM2,910. Engineers, quantity surveyors, town planners and the other J9 technical schemes start at RM2,690.

The largest group, 22 schemes, starts at RM2,580.

  • Schemes at RM2,580: the administrative and diplomatic officer (M9), IT officer (F9), legal officer (L9), research officer (Q9), the science and health officer schemes and the U9 allied health schemes.
  • Grade minimum, RM2,250: nineteen schemes start here, among them the information officer, youth and sports officer, enforcement officer and the uniformed superintendent schemes.

Where a scheme lists more than one rate, the higher rates go with a named qualification.

  • Auditor (W9), honours degree in any field: RM2,470.
  • Auditor (W9), accounting degree: RM3,020.
  • Auditor (W9), full members of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants: RM3,240.
  • Education officers (DG9): RM2,360 to RM3,460, depending on degree and teaching qualification.
  • Marine officer (AL9): also reaches RM3,460.
  • M9, F9, S9 and Q9 schemes: the highest listed rate is RM3,350.
Part 2 · Allowances and the scale

Which schemes get the critical service incentive?

The Bayaran Insentif Perkhidmatan Kritikal (BIPK) is paid to new appointees in schemes the government lists as critical. Among the 66 degree-entry schemes at grade 9, 19 receive it:

  • RM750 a month: Pegawai Farmasi Gred UF9, Pegawai Pergigian Gred UG9, Pegawai Perubatan Gred UD9.
  • RM165 a month: Arkitek Gred J9, Arkitek Landskap Gred J9, Jururawat Gred U9, Jurutera Gred J9, Juruukur Bahan Gred J9, Pegawai Ehwal Ekonomi Gred E9, Pegawai Latihan Vokasional Gred DV9, Pegawai Laut Gred AL9, Pegawai Penyelidik Gred Q9, Pegawai Perikanan Gred G9, Pegawai Perkhidmatan Pendidikan Gred DG9, Pegawai Pertanian Gred G9, Pegawai Undang-undang Gred L9, Pemeriksa Kilang dan Jentera Gred J9, Pengajar Gred U9, Penolong Pegawai Perubatan Gred U9.

Medical, dental and pharmacy officers receive the fixed RM750 rate.

  • Other critical schemes: RM165, the rate for new appointees in grades 9 to 15.
  • When it is paid: while the officer does the scheme's core duties with the required qualification.
  • When it is not paid: during administrative, human resource, public relations or counter postings.
  • Earlier appointees: officers appointed before the SSPA took effect keep the amounts they were already receiving.

With BIPK, a new medical officer's fixed pay in Kawasan A is RM4,780, a dental officer's RM4,670 and a pharmacist's RM4,560. An architect's is RM3,975 and an engineer's RM3,755.

What the Kuala Lumpur figure adds

AllowanceWhat it isKawasan AKawasan BElsewhere
Housing allowanceImbuhan Tetap Perumahan (ITP), grade 9300300300
Public service allowanceImbuhan Tetap Khidmat Awam (ITKA), grade 9300300300
Cost-of-living allowanceBayaran Imbuhan Sara Hidup (BISH), by area300250150
Fixed allowances, non-critical schemeITP + ITKA + BISH900850750
Critical service incentiveBayaran Insentif Perkhidmatan Kritikal (BIPK), new appointee in a critical scheme; RM750 for medical, dental and pharmacy officers165165165
RM a month for a new appointee at grade 9, Pengurusan dan Profesional group. Kawasan A: Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Penang island and Seberang Perai, the Klang Valley local authorities, Seremban, Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Pasir Gudang. Kawasan B: other city councils. Source: JPA, Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bil. 1/2024 (SSPA), Lampiran E, tables E4-U91, E4-U90, E4-U4 and E4-U43.

For a non-critical scheme the fixed allowances at grade 9 come to RM900 a month in Kawasan A.

  • Other areas: RM850 in Kawasan B and RM750 elsewhere.
  • With-allowances column: the starting basic salary plus RM900, plus BIPK where it applies.
  • Scheme starting at RM2,580: pays RM3,480 a month in Kuala Lumpur before deductions.
  • Scheme starting at the grade minimum of RM2,250: pays RM3,150.

Over a year, the lowest Kawasan A figure comes to RM37,800 and the medical officer's to RM57,360, before any shift, on-call or overtime pay and before deductions. The take-home pay calculator works out EPF, SOCSO, EIS and income tax from a monthly figure.

How the SSPA scale moves after appointment

GradeMinimumMaximumYearly incrementIncrements from minimum to maximum
92,25011,11022539
103,84012,15025033
113,32012,76025537
125,53013,54027030
136,21014,37029028
146,56015,36032028
157,03016,35040023
Monthly basic salary, RM, Pengurusan dan Profesional grades of the federal public service, 2026. Increment count = (maximum − minimum) ÷ yearly increment, computed by Foundific. Source: Ministry of Finance, Budget 2026 establishment list, Lampiran A.

Grade 9 runs from RM2,250 to RM11,110 with a yearly increment of RM225.

  • Reaching the maximum: an officer starting at RM2,580 who stays on grade 9 reaches the maximum after about 38 increments.
  • Promotion: it moves an officer to the next grade's range.
  • Grade 10: starts at RM3,840 and rises RM250 a year.
  • Grade 12: starts at RM5,530 and rises RM270 a year.
  • Grade 14: starts at RM6,560 and rises RM320 a year.
  • Grade 15: the top of the professional range, from RM7,030 to RM16,350 with a RM400 increment.

The general federal service uses one pay scale across its schemes.

  • Same grade and service: two officers on the same grade with the same years of service earn the same basic salary whatever their scheme.
  • Differences at the start: these come from the entry point, the allowances and BIPK.
Part 3 · What is not included

What is not in the figure

  • Shift, on-call and overtime pay are not included. Doctors, nurses, allied health officers and enforcement officers can receive these on top of the fixed figure.
  • Area matters. BISH is RM300 only in Kawasan A. In Kawasan B (other city councils) the fixed allowances total RM850 and elsewhere RM750, so the with-allowances column falls by RM50 or RM150 outside the main cities.
  • BIPK is conditional. It is paid for core duties in a critical scheme and stops during postings outside them.
  • Deductions are not taken off. The figures are gross monthly pay before EPF or pension contributions, SOCSO, EIS and income tax.
  • Diploma and SPM entry are not covered. The same schemes often have grade 5 (diploma) and grade 1 (SPM) entry points with their own starting pay.
  • Schemes with no published starting pay are not listed. A small number of uniformed and investigation schemes give no figure on their SPA page.
  • Private-sector pay is not comparable. DOSM does not publish salaries by job title, so the government figure is a pay point, not a market median. The Malaysia salary page has the DOSM medians by state, sector and skill level.

Sources

SPA scheme pages, Ministry of Finance Budget 2026, JPA SSPA circular
  1. Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Awam, Syarat Permohonan (service scheme pages) Starting basic pay (gaji permulaan) by qualification for each scheme; degree-entry pages fetched 17 October 2026.
  2. Ministry of Finance, Budget 2026 establishment list, Lampiran A SSPA salary codes and minimum-maximum salaries by grade, page A-1.
  3. JPA, Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bil. 1/2024 (SSPA), Lampiran E ITP (Jadual E4-U91), ITKA (E4-U90), BISH by area (E4-U4) and BIPK (E4-U43); rates effective 1 December 2024 and unchanged in 2026.