KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 – Competitive salaries alone are no longer enough to make Malaysian employees feel valued, with many workers now placing greater importance on recognition, career growth and workplace culture, according to Jobstreet by SEEK’s latest Salary Pulse 2026 report.
The study, based on responses from 1,010 employed Malaysians aged between 18 and 64, found that while 81 per cent of employees believe they are paid fairly for their current roles, only 49 per cent said they were satisfied with their salaries. The findings highlight a growing gap between perceived pay fairness and overall job satisfaction.
Jobstreet by SEEK Malaysia Managing Director Nicholas Lam said employees today view salary as more than just a reflection of market rates, but also as an indication of how much they are recognised, supported and valued by their employers.
“Our research shows employees are making an important distinction between being paid fairly and feeling genuinely valued. Competitive salaries remain important, but workers also expect remuneration to reflect their contributions and career progression,” he said.
The report found that employees who were satisfied with their salaries were nearly three times more likely to feel motivated and willing to go beyond their job responsibilities. In contrast, those dissatisfied with their pay were 2.5 times more likely to be considering a new job.
Beyond salary, workers were found to evaluate their compensation based on workload, recognition, career advancement opportunities and whether their income supports their desired lifestyle.
The survey also revealed that Malaysian employees are unwilling to compromise on workplace values for higher pay. While 19 per cent would accept a lower job title for a 10 per cent salary increase and 21 per cent would agree to remain on call outside working hours, only three per cent said they would work in a toxic workplace for the same pay increase, while just eight per cent would join an organisation whose values did not align with their own.
More than half (56 per cent) of respondents received salary increases over the past year, although most increments were modest, with 56 per cent receiving increases of up to five per cent and 30 per cent receiving between six and 10 per cent.
The report also found that performance-based salary increments generated higher levels of satisfaction, with 65 per cent of recipients expressing satisfaction compared with 52 per cent of employees who received company-wide pay adjustments.
Despite recognising the importance of salary discussions, only 40 per cent of respondents said they were comfortable asking for a pay rise. However, among those who did request an increase, 78 per cent were successful.
Based on the findings, Jobstreet by SEEK encouraged employers to go beyond offering competitive salaries by improving transparency in pay decisions, recognising individual contributions, creating more opportunities for salary discussions and providing clearer career progression pathways to strengthen employee engagement and retention.
— MINUTESMY
