Have you ever wondered how much Malaysian police officers are paid? The Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), or the Royal Malaysia Police, is the national law enforcement agency of Malaysia. PDRM officers take on various responsibilities, and their salary reflects a combination of several important factors.
Roughly, the average annual salary for Malaysian police officers falls between RM20,000 and RM72,500. These wages are generally aligned with Malaysia’s basic living needs that cover essentials such as food, housing, clothing, and healthcare.
Below is a comprehensive overview of the monthly police salary in Malaysia, including how it varies by rank, experience, education, location, and additional allowances.
Royal Malaysia Police Rank Overview
To better understand the salary breakdown, it’s helpful to be familiar with the structure of the Royal Malaysia Police since Malaysia police rank and salary are significantly related. PDRM is divided into two major categories:
- Non-gazetted officers: Rank-and-file personnel who handle day-to-day policing duties and form the backbone of operational law enforcement. It includes Constable (YT1/YA1/YP1), Sergeant, and Sub-Inspector.
- Gazetted officers: high-ranking police officers who hold more strategic, leadership, and decision-making roles. It includes the Commissioner, Superintendent, and Inspector.
Monthly Salary by Rank
Here is an estimated breakdown of monthly police salaries in Malaysia, ordered by rank:
| Position | Monthly salary |
| Constable (YP1 / YT1 / YA1) | RM1,200–RM4,000 |
| Sergeant | RM1,800–RM3,500 |
| Inspector | RM2,500–RM10,000 |
| Superintendent | RM5,000–RM10,000 |
| Commissioner and above | RM 18,000–RM 25,000+ |
Need to note that these figures represent base Malaysian police salary ranges and may vary depending on experience, qualifications, and duties. Based on the data, the average Malaysian police salary per month is approximately RM3,980, which amounts to RM47,760 annually.
Like in many professions, experience also plays a major role in determining the police salary in Malaysia. Officers with less than 2 years of experience earn around RM 2,000 monthly. Meanwhile, other officers with 5 years or more of experience may earn nearly RM 4,000–RM 5,700 monthly.
Besides experience, educational qualifications are also a key factor in determining police salaries in Malaysia. Those police officers with only a high school diploma earn about RM 2,300 monthly. However, other police officers with a certificate or higher education background can earn more than RM 6,000.
Clearly, the higher the level of educational background and the longer the experience in the police field, the higher the salary they may receive.
Allowances & Extras
In addition to the basic salary, police officers may receive various allowances and bonuses depending on their roles, responsibilities, and work conditions. These can include overtime allowance, risk, court allowance, and reimbursements for travel, phone, tolls, parking, and medical costs.
Even though it is not an allowance that can be got regularly, it can add RM 500 to RM 1,000+ to the basic salary, depending on the posting and role. This can significantly enhance take-home pay.
In summary, the police salary in Malaysia varies greatly depending on multiple factors such as rank, duties, experience, education, and location. Police salaries may increase or decrease in the future depending on economic conditions, policy changes, and government decisions.
