Part-Time Salary Malaysia 2026: Hourly Rates, Calculations & Employer Guide

Hiring part-time employees can help Malaysian businesses manage busy periods, cover additional shifts and control staffing costs. However, employers need to understand how to set hourly wages, calculate monthly pay and comply with Malaysia's employment regulations.

Whether you are hiring retail assistants, café crew, cashiers, promoters, administrative assistants or temporary support staff, it is important to calculate wages correctly before confirming an employment offer.

In this guide, we explain the part-time salary rates in Malaysia for 2026, how to calculate hourly and monthly wages, the rules employers should follow, and the statutory contributions to consider when hiring part-time employees.

What Is The Minimum Hourly Wage In Malaysia In 2026?

As of 2026, Malaysia's minimum wage is RM1,700 per month or RM8.72 per hour under the Minimum Wages Order 2024.

The minimum wage requirement has applied nationwide to employers from 1 August 2025, subject to the exclusions provided under the Order.

The daily rates depend on the employee's normal working days per week.

Important for employers: The minimum wage refers to basic wages. Allowances, incentives and other payments should not be used to make up a shortfall in the required basic wage.

For hourly-paid employees, employers should ensure that the hourly rate meets the applicable minimum wage requirement.

Source: Minimum Wages Order 2024

How Much Should Employers Pay Part-Time Staff In Malaysia?

The salary offered to a part-time employee depends on several factors, including:

• Job responsibilities and required skills
• Working hours and shift arrangements
• Employee experience
• Business location and operating requirements
• Industry and level of responsibility
• Whether the role requires weekends, public holidays or late-night shifts

Employers should first check the minimum wage requirement before deciding on an hourly rate.

The following figures are illustrative salary scenarios, not a survey of current market rates.

For example, an employer hiring a part-time retail assistant could use RM12 per hour as an illustrative budget rate. The actual rate should be determined by the job requirements, business budget and applicable wage requirements.

Employer tip: Do not set wages based only on the job title. Consider the employee's responsibilities, expected working hours and total employment cost before making an offer.

How To Calculate Part-Time Salary In Malaysia

Most part-time employees are paid according to the number of hours they work.

The basic formula is:

For example:

An employee receives RM10 per hour and works 5 hours per day, 5 days per week.

The employee earns RM1,000 over four weeks, assuming the same working schedule throughout that period.

How To Calculate Average Monthly Part-Time Salary

A calendar month is not always exactly four weeks. For a more accurate average monthly estimate, use 52 weeks divided by 12 months.

Formula:

Example:

• Hourly rate: RM10
• Weekly working hours: 20
• Average monthly salary: RM10 × 20 × 52 ÷ 12

Estimated average monthly salary = RM866.67

This is an average monthly estimate. Actual monthly payroll should be based on the employee's agreed pay arrangement and hours worked during the relevant wage period.

How To Calculate Part-Time Salary For An Incomplete Month

If a part-time employee starts or leaves during a month, the employer should calculate the wages based on the applicable employment terms and actual working time.

For an hourly-paid employee, the calculation is generally:

Example:

An employee receives RM12 per hour and works 4 hours per day for 8 working days during the month.

The employee's salary for the period is RM384, before any applicable deductions.

What If The Employee Receives A Monthly Salary?

For employees paid monthly, Section 18A of the Employment Act 1955 provides a calculation for incomplete months of service.

The formula is:

Example:

An employee receives RM1,800 per month and works for 15 eligible days in a wage period containing 30 days.

RM1,800 ÷ 30 × 15 = RM900

Salary payable = RM900

This monthly wage formula should not be confused with the hourly calculation for an employee whose pay is based on hours worked. Employers should use the calculation that applies to the employee's actual wage arrangement.

What Is The Difference Between A Part-Time Employee And A Casual Employee?

Employers should understand the difference between part-time and casual employment because their legal treatment may differ.

Under the Employment (Part-Time Employees) Regulations 2010, a part-time employee generally works more than 30% but does not exceed 70% of the normal weekly working hours of a comparable full-time employee.

For example, if a comparable full-time employee works 40 hours per week:

• More than 12 hours per week may fall within the part-time working-hours range.
• Up to 28 hours per week falls within the 70% limit.

The Regulations do not apply to certain casual employees who are engaged occasionally or irregularly, as needed, and work no more than 30% of the normal weekly hours of a comparable full-time employee.

If there is no comparable full-time employee or the normal full-time hours cannot be determined, Regulation 4 provides a reference of 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week for a full-time employee.

Important: Employers should not classify someone as a casual worker simply because they work fewer hours. Consider the actual working arrangement, regularity of work and applicable legal requirements.

Source: Employment (Part-Time Employees) Regulations 2010

What Are The Employment Rights Of Part-Time Employees In Malaysia?

Part-time employees covered by the Employment (Part-Time Employees) Regulations 2010 are entitled to specific employment protections.

These include annual leave, sick leave, public holidays and rest days, subject to the relevant conditions.

Annual Leave Entitlement

If the employee's contract ends before completing 12 months of service during the year, annual leave entitlement is calculated proportionately based on completed months of service, subject to the Regulations.

Paid Sick Leave

Part-time employees are not entitled to paid sick leave on days when they are not scheduled to work under the Regulations.

Public Holiday Entitlement

Covered part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays on at least 7 gazetted public holidays in a calendar year, including:

• National Day
• Birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
• The relevant State Ruler's or Yang di-Pertua Negeri's Birthday, or Federal Territory Day where applicable
• Workers' Day

They are also entitled to a holiday on any day declared as a public holiday under Section 8 of the Holidays Act 1951.

Employers should display the selected public holidays before the beginning of each calendar year.

Rest Day Entitlement

A covered part-time employee is entitled to one rest day per week if they work:

• At least 5 days per week; and
• At least 20 total working hours per week.

Employers should include the employee's normal working days and rest-day arrangements in the employment agreement.

How To Calculate Overtime Pay For Part-Time Employees

Part-time overtime calculations are different from simply applying the usual full-time overtime rate to every extra hour.

Under Regulation 5 of the Employment (Part-Time Employees) Regulations 2010, the applicable rate depends on whether the employee's additional working hours exceed the normal hours of a comparable full-time employee.

Example Of Part-Time Overtime Calculation

Assume:

• Part-time employee's normal hours: 20 hours per week
• Comparable full-time employee's normal hours: 40 hours per week
• Hourly rate: RM12
• Actual hours worked: 43 hours per week

The employee works 20 normal hours, 20 additional hours up to the comparable full-time limit, and 3 hours beyond that limit.

This example illustrates the rates under the Part-Time Employees Regulations. Other statutory limits and applicable employment provisions must also be considered.

Working On A Public Holiday

If a covered part-time employee works on a paid public holiday during their normal working hours, they are entitled to the holiday pay and not less than an additional two days' wages at their ordinary rate of pay.

If they work beyond their normal hours on that paid holiday, the Regulations provide additional hourly rates:

• At least 2 times the hourly rate for hours beyond their normal part-time hours.
• At least 3 times the hourly rate for hours beyond the normal hours of a comparable full-time employee.

Working On A Rest Day

If an employee works on a rest day to which they are entitled under their contract, the applicable payment depends on the hours worked.

The Regulations provide at least two days' wages at the ordinary rate for work during their normal hours on that rest day. Additional work beyond normal hours is subject to the specified hourly rates.

Employers should refer to the Regulations when calculating public holiday and rest-day payments rather than treating all additional hours as ordinary overtime.

Do Part-Time Employees Need EPF, SOCSO And EIS Contributions?

Yes. Part-time employees may be subject to statutory contributions when they are employed under a contract of service and meet the applicable contribution requirements.

Employers should not assume that employees are exempt simply because they work fewer hours.

EPF (KWSP)

EPF contributions apply to eligible employees, including employees who receive wages based on hourly rates.

According to EPF, an employee who works any day in a month and receives wages exceeding RM10, whether paid daily, hourly or by piece rate, is liable to contribute.

For Malaysian employees below 60 years old, the commonly applicable contribution rates are:

Actual contributions must follow the applicable EPF Third Schedule. Employers should not calculate the final contribution using percentages alone because the statutory contribution table determines the payable amounts and rounding.

The rates and eligibility may differ depending on age, citizenship and other employee categories.

Official references:

• EPF Mandatory Contribution
• EPF Third Schedule
• EPF Employer FAQs

SOCSO (PERKESO)

Eligible employees working under a contract of service must be registered and covered by SOCSO, subject to the applicable rules.

For employees below 60 years old under the First Category, the general contribution rates are:

Contributions are calculated according to the official contribution schedule, not simply by multiplying wages by the stated percentages.

The applicable category may differ depending on the employee's age and contribution history.

The monthly wage ceiling for SOCSO contributions is RM6,000, effective from 1 October 2024.

Official reference: PERKESO Contribution Information

EIS (Employment Insurance System)

Eligible employees in the private sector may also need to contribute to EIS.

The general contribution rates are:

EIS contributions are subject to the applicable eligibility rules and contribution schedule, with a monthly assumed salary ceiling of RM6,000.

Certain employees are exempt, including government employees, domestic workers and self-employed individuals. Age-related exemptions also apply.

Official reference: PERKESO Contribution Information

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Part-Time Employee?

Employers should consider more than the employee's basic salary when preparing a hiring budget.

The total employment cost may include:

• Basic salary
• Employer EPF contribution
• Employer SOCSO contribution
• Employer EIS contribution, where applicable
• Overtime and public holiday payments
• Paid leave entitlements
• Training, uniform and onboarding costs
• Recruitment and job advertising expenses

Example: Estimated Monthly Part-Time Employment Cost

Assume a Malaysian employee below 60 years old receives RM10 per hour and works 20 hours per week.

The average monthly wage is:

RM10 × 20 hours × 52 ÷ 12 = RM866.67

For illustration, the employer's budget can be organised as follows:

The statutory contribution amounts are intentionally not estimated using simple percentage calculations here. Employers should use the official contribution schedules for the employee's actual monthly wages and eligibility category.

Employer tip: Prepare a monthly hiring budget that includes statutory contributions and other employment costs. This helps avoid underestimating the actual cost of hiring part-time staff.

What Should Employers Include In A Part-Time Employment Contract?

A written employment agreement helps employers and employees understand their responsibilities.

Before the employee starts work, employers should clearly state:

• Employee's full name and job title.
• Job responsibilities and reporting arrangements.
• Employment commencement date.
• Whether the employment is fixed-term or ongoing.
• Normal working days and hours.
• Hourly or monthly salary rate.
• Wage payment frequency and payment date.
• Overtime and public holiday arrangements.
• Annual leave and sick leave entitlement.
• Rest-day arrangements.
• EPF, SOCSO and EIS contribution arrangements, where applicable.
• Notice period and termination conditions.

Employers should ensure the agreement complies with the applicable employment legislation and provides terms that are not less favourable than the minimum legal requirements.

Official References

• Employment (Part-Time Employees) Regulations 2010
• Minimum Wages Order 2024
• EPF Mandatory Contribution
• EPF Third Schedule
• PERKESO Contribution Information
• Employment Act 1955

The part-time employee regulations cited above are made under the Employment Act 1955. Employers in Sabah and Sarawak should check the applicable state labour ordinances and current amendments before applying the Peninsular Malaysia guidance directly. This article is general information, not legal advice.

FAQs

What is the minimum hourly wage in Malaysia in 2026?

The minimum hourly wage in Malaysia is RM8.72 under the Minimum Wages Order 2024. The corresponding minimum monthly wage is RM1,700.

How do I calculate part-time salary per month?

Multiply the employee's hourly rate by their weekly working hours and 52, then divide by 12 to estimate the average monthly salary.

For example, RM10 per hour × 20 hours per week × 52 ÷ 12 gives an average monthly salary of RM866.67.

For actual payroll, use the agreed wage arrangement and hours worked during the relevant wage period.

How do I calculate salary for an incomplete month?

For hourly-paid employees, multiply the hourly rate by the actual hours worked.

For monthly-paid employees, Section 18A of the Employment Act 1955 provides the formula:

Monthly wages ÷ Number of days in the wage period × Number of eligible days.

Are part-time employees entitled to EPF?

Eligible part-time employees employed under a contract of service are generally subject to EPF contributions. EPF confirms that hourly-paid employees who work any day in a month and receive wages exceeding RM10 are liable to contribute.

Do part-time employees get annual leave in Malaysia?

Part-time employees covered by the Employment (Part-Time Employees) Regulations 2010 are entitled to at least 6, 8 or 11 days of paid annual leave, depending on their length of continuous service.

Are part-time employees entitled to overtime pay?

Yes. Covered part-time employees are entitled to additional payment when they work beyond their normal working hours. The applicable rate depends on whether their additional hours exceed the normal hours of a comparable full-time employee.

Can employers pay part-time employees daily?

Yes. Employers may agree on hourly or daily wage arrangements, provided the employment terms comply with the applicable minimum wage and employment requirements.

Are foreign part-time employees entitled to minimum wage?

The minimum wage requirement generally applies to employees regardless of nationality, subject to the exclusions under the Minimum Wages Order. Employers should also check the applicable work authorisation and immigration requirements before hiring foreign workers.

Do part-time employees need an employment contract?

Employers should provide clear employment terms in writing. A written agreement helps document the employee's working hours, salary, payment arrangements, leave and other conditions.

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• Hiring Part-Time in Malaysia? Here's How to Find the Right People
• How Many Hours Per Week is Part-Time in Malaysia
• EPF, SOCSO & EIS Contribution for Part-Time, Contract & Foreign Workers in Malaysia
• Are Part-Time Employees Entitled to Benefits in Malaysia?
• Part-Timers vs Casual Employees in Malaysia, Which Suits Your Company Best?
• Differences Between Seasonal vs. Part-Time Positions in Malaysia
• Differences Between Freelance and Part-Time Positions in Malaysia
• Part-Time Employment Laws in Malaysia: Definitions, Leave, and Pay Rule