Country Guide · Malaysia
International school teacher salaries in Malaysia
Malaysia is often described as a “sweet spot” for international teachers: a relatively affordable cost of living, a relaxed and friendly culture, and a growing number of international schools. Packages may not always hit the headline numbers of places like Singapore or the Gulf, but the balance of lifestyle and savings can be very attractive. This guide aims to give a realistic, teacher-focused overview of what to expect.
Currency
Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Typical salary band*
~ MYR 8,000 – 17,000 / month
Foreign teachers in mainstream international schools.
Contracts
2-year contracts are common
Often renewable with step increases.
Income tax
Progressive 1%–30% for residents
Non-residents are typically taxed at a flat rate.
Typical salary ranges in Malaysia
Malaysia has a wide spread of schools – from lower-fee bilingual schools to premium international schools in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor. Unsurprisingly, salaries move with school fees and expectations. Recent guides suggest many foreign teachers in established international schools earn somewhere between MYR 10,000 and 17,000 per month, with some mid-market schools below this and top-tier packages higher.
Mainstream and mid-market schools
Lower-fee or mid-market schools may offer salaries closer to MYR 7,000–12,000 per month for foreign teachers. These roles can still provide a comfortable lifestyle thanks to the relatively low cost of living, but savings potential depends heavily on housing and personal spending.
Classroom hours and expectations can still be high, so it’s worth asking careful questions at interview.
Top-tier schools and experienced teachers
Well-established international schools in Kuala Lumpur and other major cities often sit in the MYR 12,000–17,000 range for experienced classroom teachers, with some leadership and specialist roles heading above MYR 20,000 when allowances are included.
These roles are competitive, but the combination of salary and cost of living can be very favourable.
*All figures are approximate and based on external salary guides, public job adverts and teacher reports. They are not guarantees or promises from any individual school.
Common benefits in Malaysia international school packages
Packages in Malaysia often include a mix of salary and practical support, though the exact offer can vary from quite basic to genuinely generous. It’s important to compare overall package value, not just the salary.
Housing allowance: many schools provide a housing stipend or build a housing element into the salary. In some cases this may fully cover rent; in others it is a contribution.
Flights: return flights at the beginning and end of contract are common, with some schools also offering annual flights for the teacher (and occasionally for dependants).
Medical insurance: typically provided; the level of cover and whether family members are included varies significantly.
School fees discounts: some schools provide discounted or free places for dependants; others offer more modest reductions, so this is a key detail for teaching families.
Local pension / EPF: depending on the contract structure, you might contribute to Malaysian retirement schemes or similar; it's worth asking how this is handled.
Professional development: many schools support conference attendance, curriculum training and in-house CPD, which can be a real long-term benefit.
Cost of living and savings potential
Compared with many other international hubs, Malaysia’s cost of living is relatively low. Kuala Lumpur is still a major capital city, but day-to-day costs, transport and eating out can feel very reasonable to teachers arriving from higher-cost countries.
Rough monthly costs
Recent cost-of-living guides suggest a single person might spend around MYR 2,500–3,500 on basic living costs (food, transport, utilities, some social life), with rent for a one-bedroom apartment in a decent Kuala Lumpur neighbourhood adding roughly MYR 2,000–3,500. Smaller cities are often cheaper.
These numbers are broad estimates; costs vary by city, neighbourhood and lifestyle.
Savings: teacher experiences
Many foreign teachers on mid- to higher-range packages report being able to save a comfortable amount each month while still travelling and enjoying life in Malaysia. Even on more modest salaries, the lower cost base can make it easier to avoid financial stress, provided housing is chosen sensibly.
As with most destinations, housing, dependants and lifestyle choices have a bigger impact on savings than any average figure.
Who is Malaysia a good fit for?
Malaysia can be a lovely fit for teachers who enjoy warm weather, diverse food, and a slightly gentler pace than some of the bigger expat hubs. It might be especially appealing if you:
Want a balance of lifestyle and savings, rather than aiming solely for maximum short-term income.
Enjoy multicultural environments and are excited by the idea of weekend trips to beaches, rainforests and neighbouring countries.
Are comfortable with some variation in school quality and are prepared to do careful research before signing.
For some teachers, Malaysia becomes a long-term base; for others, it's a generous stepping stone that allows debt clearance and career growth in a more relaxed setting.
Compare your Malaysia offer
If you're holding an offer from a school in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor or elsewhere in Malaysia, use My Offer vs. The World to see how it stacks up against anonymous submissions from teachers in other countries.
🎯 My Offer vs. The World
Compare your salary to real submissions for the same country and role (normalised to USD for accuracy).
Explore more on Wondering Staffroom
Use the rest of the site to place your Malaysia offer in context and hear from other international teachers.
Visit Browse salaries to see live, anonymous submissions across different countries and school types.
Explore Analytics for tools and visualisations comparing salaries and benefits globally.
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Join the mailing listFrequently asked questions
- What is a typical salary for an international school teacher in Malaysia?
- Many foreign teachers in established international schools report salaries in the region of MYR 10,000–17,000 per month, with some mid-market schools paying a bit less and top-tier schools or leadership roles going higher.
- Is Malaysia considered a low cost of living posting?
- Compared with many Western countries and some neighbouring hubs, Malaysia is generally more affordable, especially outside the very centre of Kuala Lumpur. That said, costs vary a lot by city, housing choice and lifestyle.
- How does income tax work for teachers?
- Malaysia has a progressive tax system for residents, roughly between 1% and 30% depending on income. Non-residents are usually taxed at a flat rate. Most teachers qualify as residents after spending enough time in-country.
- Do schools in Malaysia include housing and flights?
- Many international schools offer a housing allowance or stipend, along with flights at the start and end of contract and sometimes annual flights. As always, the details vary by school and it’s important to read the small print.
- Where does Wondering Staffroom’s data fit in?
- Our Malaysia insights build from anonymous teacher submissions, recruitment information and public data. Over time this creates a more teacher-led picture of what different schools and packages really look like.
Nothing on this page is financial advice. All figures are indicative only and based on external sources and teacher reports. Always read individual contracts carefully and seek independent advice if needed.
