<img src="https://assets.hiredly.com/cms/programming_background_with_person_working_with_codes_computer_226c30107f.jpg" alt="programming-software-hiredly"> &nbsp;<h3>2025 Hiring Trends and Tech Labour Market Data</h3><a href="https://my.hiredly.com/jobs-in-information-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Software engineers</a> remain highly sought-after as Malaysia accelerates its digital transformation. Every industry, from finance to manufacturing, is investing in technology and competing for IT talent. As of 2025, demand for skilled tech professionals is described as reaching “unprecedented levels”. A recent survey noted that only 35% of tech professionals are actively job-hunting (down from 49% the year prior), meaning companies face a&nbsp;tight labour market for software talent. This reflects an ongoing gap between the demand for software engineers and the available supply of qualified candidates. &nbsp;<h3>Industries Actively Hiring Software Engineers</h3>According to <a href="https://www.nucamp.co/blog/coding-bootcamp-malaysia-mys-most-in-demand-tech-job-in-malaysia-in-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">nucamp</a>, demand for software engineers in Malaysia is increasing over a wide range of industries, thanks to the country’s push toward a digital economy (projected to contribute about 25% of GDP by 2025). Key sectors generating software engineering jobs in 2025 include:<ul><li>Tech and Software Services Companies: Naturally, IT firms, software development companies, and tech start-ups are major employers. Malaysia’s start-up ecosystem is growing with government support (e.g., the MyDIGITAL blueprint), fuelling a surge in demand for software engineers, developers, and IT project managers. Global tech players are also expanding here. For instance, Amazon Web Services is launching a new region in Malaysia (a RM25.5 billion investment) and multinational companies are setting up Global Business Services and development centres.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li>Financial Services and FinTech: Banks, FinTech start-ups, and insurance companies are heavily recruiting software engineers to build digital banking platforms, payment systems, and mobile apps. FinTech is a priority area under Malaysia’s digital finance initiatives. Companies in banking and finance seek developers with skills in web/app development, APIs, and security. This sector is robust; even traditional banks are hiring developers as they automate and offer e-services. As a result, jobs requiring software development in finance remain in high demand (and often offer attractive compensation). &nbsp;</li><li>E-commerce and Digital Platforms: E-commerce firms, online marketplaces, and super-apps (for food delivery, ride-hailing, etc.) are another engine of hiring. These businesses (e.g., regional players like Shopee, Grab and local platforms) continuously need front-end, back-end, and full-stack engineers to enhance user experiences and logistics platforms. The broader digital services domain including telecommunications, media, and ICT service providers also hires software talent to develop everything from streaming services to telecom software. &nbsp;</li><li>Manufacturing and Industry 4.0: Traditional sectors are increasingly digitalising. Manufacturing companies implementing&nbsp;Industry 4.0 solutions (automation, IoT, smart factories) require software engineers for developing industrial software, robotics programming, and data systems. Malaysia’s push in sectors like electronics and automotive to move up the value chain means more tech roles in manufacturing. For example, advanced factories need software for machine monitoring, and firms are looking for developers with knowledge of automation, IoT, and AI to integrate these systems. &nbsp;</li><li>Emerging Tech Sectors (Gaming, AI, etc.): New niches are appearing. Malaysia’s&nbsp;gaming industry is expanding, with international studios (Sony PlayStation, Bandai Namco) setting up offices and needing game developers and software engineers experienced in graphics and real-time systems. Likewise, companies across sectors are exploring&nbsp;AI and machine learning, creating roles for software engineers who can develop AI-driven applications or work as ML engineers. While few firms are hiring large AI teams yet, many have begun seeking specialists (or upskilling software engineers) in AI solution development.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.hiredly.com/cms/software_developers_data_center_running_system_diagnostic_tests_pc_d371a32e7b.jpg" alt="software-developer-hiredly"></figure><h3>Salary Ranges for Software Engineers in Malaysia (By Experience and Specialisation)</h3>Software engineering salaries in Malaysia have been on the rise due to high demand and talent shortages. Salaries can vary based on your experience level, area of specialisation, and location. Here’s a breakdown of typical ranges (annual gross salaries in Malaysian Ringgit):&nbsp;<ul><li>Entry-Level/Junior Software Engineer (0–2 years): Approximately&nbsp;RM 60,000 to RM 120,000 per year. This translates to about RM 5,000 – RM 10,000 per month. Fresh graduates in software development might start on the lower end (around RM3,500–RM4,500 monthly at large firms in Klang Valley, slightly less in smaller cities). Within a couple of years, juniors can move up toward the mid five-figures as they gain skills. &nbsp;</li><li>Mid-Level Software Engineer (3–5+ years): Mid-career software developers in Malaysia often earn in the range of&nbsp;RM 120,000 to RM 180,000+ annually, depending on expertise. This is roughly RM 10,000 – RM 15,000 per month or higher. A typical experienced engineer (for example ~5 years experience in a common tech stack) might earn around the RM 120k mark. Those with in-demand specialisations or working at top multinational firms can see the upper end of this range. &nbsp;</li><li>Senior Software Engineer / Tech Lead (8–10+ years): Senior developers and team leads command&nbsp;RM 144,000 up to RM 216,000 or more per year. That equates to roughly RM 12,000 – RM 18,000 per month. Specialists with a decade of experience in areas like enterprise architecture or full-stack development at major companies can even go beyond this (sometimes RM 20k+ monthly). Management roles (like Engineering Managers or CTO at a start-up) naturally pay more, often including bonuses or stock options. Recruitment surveys show IT managers/consultants in Malaysia can earn anywhere from ~RM 180k up to RM 480k for top-tier leadership roles. &nbsp;</li><li>Specialisation Matters: Within software engineering, certain skill sets draw higher premiums. For example,&nbsp;cybersecurity specialists and data scientists often earn at the higher end of the spectrum – a senior cybersecurity expert could make RM 300,000 (or RM 25k/month) at the top end. Data science roles were listed with potential up to RM 240k for experienced talent. Engineers skilled in cloud infrastructure, AI/ML, or niche programming languages may also see above-average offers. One report noted mid-career data engineers in Malaysia average around RM 154,000, reflecting strong demand. In general,&nbsp;specialised roles (AI, data, cloud, cybersecurity) command premium salaries compared to general software developer roles, especially at the senior level. &nbsp;</li></ul><h3>Near-Future Outlook: Demand in 2025 and Beyond</h3>Looking ahead, the consensus is that&nbsp;demand for software engineers in Malaysia will remain strong into 2025 and beyond. Several factors contribute to an optimistic outlook:<ul><li>Continued Digital Economy Expansion: The Malaysian government and private sector are investing heavily in digital growth. By 2025, the digital economy is projected to form roughly a quarter of the country’s GDP, and initiatives are in place to make Malaysia a regional tech hub. Under the 13th Malaysia Plan and MyDIGITAL blueprint, there’s a focus on creating high-value tech jobs and achieving developed-nation status by 2027–2028 with a technology-driven economy.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li>Foreign Investments and Global Centres: Malaysia has been attracting data centres, R&amp;D facilities, and regional IT centres. The influx of investments (e.g., an estimated $17 billion in data centre and cloud infrastructure investments mentioned in a salary guide) creates thousands of tech roles. Multinational companies setting up Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and regional delivery hubs here (as Allianz, Shell, HSBC and others have done) means steady hiring of software developers and engineers to support global operations.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li>Emerging Technologies = New Roles: While AI and automation may streamline certain programming tasks, they are also spawning&nbsp;new roles and increasing the need for more advanced software expertise. For instance, as more companies explore AI, they need&nbsp;AI solution architects, machine learning engineers, and data engineers and these roles are often filled by seasoned software engineers who upskill in AI. Cybersecurity threats are rising in tandem with digitalisation, so demand for software engineers with security skills is expected to stay high (Malaysia is actively trying to train more cyber professionals, but currently demand far outstrips supply).&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li>Talent Shortage Persists: Industry watchers predict Malaysia’s tech talent shortage won’t disappear quickly, which bodes well for job seekers. One projection even warned of a deficit of around 30,000 tech professionals by the mid-2020s if upskilling doesn’t accelerate. To address this, the government is funding skills development (e.g., programmes to upskill 20,000 Malaysians in digital skills by 2025, and budget allocations for training in AI, cloud computing, etc.).&nbsp; &nbsp;</li></ul>Software engineering jobs are in strong demand in Malaysia, driven by the country’s digital agenda and the pervasive need for tech talent across industries. Current trends show a vibrant job market for software engineers, albeit with higher expectations for skills and a competitive landscape for top roles. Key industries like tech start-ups, finance, e-commerce, and even manufacturing are actively hiring developers to power their digital initiatives. Salaries for software engineers have risen accordingly, with experienced engineers enjoying lucrative packages, especially in key tech hubs like Kuala Lumpur and in high-demand specialisations.<figure class="image"><a href="https://my.hiredly.com/jobs-in-information-technology?utm_medium=article&amp;utm_source=hiredly_career_advice_blog&amp;utm_campaign=software_engineering_jobs_in_malaysia:_2025_demand_and_outlook" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://assets.hiredly.com/cms/Email_8_Job_Recommender_You_Could_Be_Missing_Out_on_a_Dream_Job_da33fadd62.jpg"></a></figure> Set on starting a career as a software developer? 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Malaysia’s technology sector is growing rapidly, leading many to ask: Are software engineering jobs in demand in Malaysia, especially in 2025? The short answer is yes, but with important nuances. This article examines current hiring trends, key industries, salary ranges, future outlook, and the technical and soft skills employers seek. The goal is to give Malaysian job seekers a clear picture of the software engineering labour market and how to prepare for it.