What are the top jobs in demand in Malaysia 2024?  

Ready to relocate your career and find work in Malaysia? We have all the information you need about the Malaysian job market in 2024.

If you want to relocate to Malaysia in 2024, you’re in luck! There are so many great opportunities live now, and this job market is continuing to grow.

As a job seeker with your sights set on relocating, it really helps to know the top jobs in demand in Malaysia to help you make your move. Step one in a successful relocation is to create a list of job options that suit your skills and career goals, and working with the right recruiter can help you!

Salt Malaysia is a thriving arm of our leading international job search agency. We have a team of expert recruitment consultants in Malaysia on the ground, speaking daily with clients looking for the best digital talent for their teams.

In this guide we’ve compiled everything you need to know about the Malaysian job market to plan your move and relocate your career here!

Find your dream role in digital with Salt Malaysia: search our open roles!

Why relocate to Malaysia for work?

Malaysia is a vibrant nation in Southeast Asia and has so much to offer as a relocation destination for job seekers ready for a new adventure. With a robust economy, natural beauty, flourishing job market, and a diverse cultural scene, there’s a little something for everyone!

There are over 1.5 million registered companies in Malaysia, and it is home to many global giants including Petronas, Maybank, Tenaga Nasional, CIMB Group Holdings and more. Intel, IBM, HP, Dell, and Cisco Systems all have a significant presence on too, and every year there are more global companies investing in this bustling business hub to take advantage of the thriving trade and well-developed infrastructure.

Malaysia’s blend of culture, economic opportunities, and overall quality of life makes it an irresistible destination for work and leisure. It’s a prime location to add to your list of relocation destinations!  

Where to work in Malaysia?  

In addition to incredible food, city centres and breathtaking natural beauty, Malaysia has so much to offer your digital career!  

The top four cities for digital careers in Malaysia are:  

• Kuala Lumpur   
• Petaling Jaya   
• Penang, George Town  
• Johor Bahru  

While there are many job opportunities across Malaysia, the competition can be fierce! Build your self-confidence by updating your CV and LinkedIn profile – so you feel great about applying to your dream role in Malaysia!  

How strong is Malaysia’s economy?  

Based on findings from JobStreet’s salary guide, it’s clear that most sectors across Malaysia maintained consistent median salaries throughout 2023, reflecting a stable job market.  

However, in this dynamic, ever-evolving landscape, several trends have emerged, showcasing how professionals are reshaping their careers and goals to maintain a competitive edge:   

• Malaysia is prioritising upskilling and reskilling, reflecting a nationwide focus on learning and development. There are lots of great ways to enhance your skills, and this can feel overwhelming with so many options available. Here’s how to upskill yourself sustainably to support your job hunt.
  
• Flexible working is now standard in Malaysia; many employers allow flexible work arrangements, including remote and hybrid working options which is a popular benefit for work-life balance.
  
• Malaysia-based businesses are investing in sustainability initiatives, which means many exciting green job opportunities that might require your talent and skillset! 
  
• Malaysian companies’ talent attraction strategies focus on benefits and total rewards; most employers in Malaysia have implemented holistic benefits programmes and typically provide performance or contractual bonuses, with a median bonus of one to two months, to support their people and help them thrive.  

What are the top jobs in demand in Malaysia in 2024?  

Let’s dig into some of the high demand jobs in Malaysia in the current market and uncover why these roles are at the forefront of this country’s professional landscape:  

Technology jobs in demand in Malaysia  

The Malaysian government is driving a digital transformation which requires a robust tech workforce to support its agenda to build a strong, sustainable digital economy, capable of leveraging emerging tech like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain. The tech industry needs more skilled professionals, which is good news for job seekers like you!

The tech industry in Malaysia offers a diverse range of job opportunities for:

• Software engineers  
• Business analysts  
• Full-stack engineers  
• Project managers
• Data professionals

Some skills required to thrive in this industry include:  

• Cloud computing
• Software development and programming
• Data science and analytics
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Machine learning (ML)
• Cybersecurity

As the tech sector grows, so does exposure to cyber threats. There is an increasing need for cybersecurity experts to protect companies across all industries. Hiring managers are seeking candidates with ethical hacking, information security, and risk management skills to safeguard Malaysia’s tech landscape as it grows and develops.  

See Salt’s open technology roles in Malaysia!  

Marketing jobs in demand in Malaysia    

Malaysia has an impressive digital landscape; at the beginning of 2023 there were 26.8 million social media users in Malaysia alone. That’s almost 80% of the population! This number is continuing to grow.

As Malaysian businesses and industries increasingly rely on digital platforms to expand their reach and connect with a tech-savvy population, we are seeing more digital marketing job opportunities emerge each year.

Current jobs in demand in the Malaysian marketing industry include:  

• Content specialist
• PR & communications specialist
• Account manager
• Marketing manager
• Digital marketing specialist
• Social media specialist

Each of these roles is crucial in promoting products or services through digital channels.  

The marketing skills hiring managers are looking for in 2024 are:  

• Strong communication skills
• Stakeholder and project management
• Digital marketing
• Social media management
• Content writing
• Search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Marketing analytics
• Customer relationship management (CRM)  

We have lots more helpful tips for marketers considering a new role in 2024, and lots of insight into the most valuable marketing skills to hone for your future career, to help you shape the most powerful candidate profile now and in the future!

Explore our open marketing positions in Malaysia!  

Creative jobs in demand in Malaysia    

An important part of any marketing team is their creatives! Some businesses hire creatives like graphic designers or product designers in-house, some will turn to agencies for support. However they’re choosing to access this crucial skillset, they need amazing creative skills like yours to help them stand out in an ever more crowded marketplace of businesses vying for their audiences’ attention!

The demand for creative multimedia talent in Malaysia is predicted to increase at a pace of 7.59% annually over the next three years, so it’s a great place to be if you are pursuing a creative career!

There are lots of creative roles in demand across the Malaysian creative industry, including:  

• Copywriter
• Video editor
• Creative producer
• Graphic designer
• UX/UI designer
• Product designer
• Experience director
• Creative director

Creatives play an important role in helping businesses stand out – from creating graphics and data visualisation that make your insights sing, to editing videos to reach a wider audience online!

The creative skills hiring managers are looking for in 2024 are:  

• Copywriting
• Video editing
• Video production
• Product design
• Graphic design
• UX/UI design 
• Adobe photoshop
• Creative ideation 

Explore our open creative positions in Malaysia!  

Sales jobs in demand in Malaysia   

Sales professionals play a critical role in helping businesses survive, and thrive, in a competitive marketplace. In Malaysia’s fast expanding economy, with an influx of international companies setting up operations here, there is always a high demand for salespeople to help businesses establish a presence and develop new business partnerships.

Current sales jobs in demand in Malaysia include:  

• Customer success manager
• Sales development representative
• Sales manager
• Business development executive 
• Business development manager
• Head of business development

With so many businesses starting up or expanding into Malaysia, this marketplace is dynamic, fast-paced, and ever-changing! It’s an amazing place to show off your sales skills and make an impact you can be proud of.

Here are some of the sales skills that can lead to you succeeding in your sales job hunt:  

• Communication and negotiation
• Emotional intelligence
• Discovery and prospecting
• Sales analytics and intelligence
• Social media and networking 
• Virtual selling and collaborative technology

For a global outlook on the top sales skills in demand around the world, read our list curated by experts across our international teams. Want to keep up with the latest trends? Here are the sales trends to be aware of in 2024 and beyond!

See our open sales roles in Malaysia!  

How to stand out applying for jobs in Malaysia

Salt are expert digital recruiters with offices on every continent! We work with our teams around the world to build the best resources to help job seekers like you progress their careers – and it’s all available free!

Here are a few of our most visited pages to help you along the way:

• Customise your CV:
  Write a great CV for 2024
• Write a great cover letter:
  Salt’s guide to a stand out cover letter
• Get noticed online:
  How to update your LinkedIn to get noticed
• Prepare to ace an interview:
  Interview your way into your dream role

What is it like to live in Malaysia?  

Malaysia is a melting pot of different cultures, including Malay, Chinese, and Indian, and that makes it unique as both a holiday destination and place to live! You’ll be able to embrace a wide variety of amazing foods, from mouthwatering street vendors to fine dining restaurants.

Living here means you also have the privilege of experiencing festivals like Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali first-hand. You can visit famous heritage sites like Batu Caves and learn more about the history of this special nation.

If you need to escape the crowds, the stunning natural beauty of Malaysia ranges from pristine beaches to picturesque highlands. Its lush rainforests are some of the oldest in the world and are teeming with animal and plant life.

What is it like to work in Malaysia? 

Malaysian work culture
Because of the diverse cultures and peoples that call Malaysia home, it’s essential that you’re culturally sensitive, aware, and respectful of religious practices to build strong relationships with professionals here.

Malaysian working week
A standard work week in Malaysia typically spans from Monday to Friday, with working hours normally running from 09:00 to 17:00. The Malaysian Employment Act of 1955  stipulates that the maximum allowable working hours per week are 45, and employees must given at least one day of rest each week.  Some industries may offer flexible working hours, including a four-day work week.  

Malaysian work benefits
Malaysian employees are entitled to paid annual leave, with the amount of leave depending on their years of service. Compensation packages can vary based on industry, experience, and location. Urban areas like Kuala Lumpur often offer competitive salaries and benefits packages, and experienced recruiters like Salt can help you negotiate for the best.

Malaysian work permits and visas
Applying for the appropriate work permits and visas is crucial when seeking employment in Malaysia. The application process typically requires the employer to apply to the expatriate services department. Make sure you have all essential documents, including your passport, employment letter and education credentials, to facilitate a smooth application process.  

More information is available about Malaysian labour laws and employee rights online, or will be made available to you if you’re job hunting and relocating with a specialist agency like Salt.

Find a job in Malaysia with Salt, the leading Malaysian digital recruitment agency

Our award-winning digital recruitment agency is perfectly positioned to help you find your dream role. Visit our jobs page to see what roles we have open now that might be your perfect match!   

With our expert guidance, we can help you secure an exciting career opportunity in Malaysia and relocate to this magical nation with ease. Contact us today to take the first step towards achieving your career goals.