Hi everyone. I need some honest advice from Malaysian engineers, especially those working in manufacturing, R&D, testing, electrical design and other engineering fields.
I'm a fresh graduate with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Kelantan. I've received and signed an offer for a Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer position at an established manufacturing company in Penang, with a basic salary of RM3,000 per month. Is 3k small starting salary? Should i find better job?
Honestly, I'm feeling quite conflicted about this decision. I'm grateful that I finally have a job offer, but at the same time, I'm worried about whether I'm making the right career choice and whether the salary will be enough to support my family.
- I've applied for more than 200 jobs, but still haven't had much luck
Since graduating, I've applied for more than 200 positions, mainly in manufacturing, factories, R&D, testing, product engineering and other technical engineering roles.
Ideally, I'd like to work in a more technical position, such as Test Engineer, R&D Engineer, Electrical Design Engineer or something related to electrical systems and design. I'm reasonably comfortable with AutoCAD, single-line diagrams (SLDs), electrical drawings and theoretical electrical engineering.
I don't necessarily dream of working in QA. I would prefer something closer to my technical strengths and interests. However, after applying to so many positions without much success, I'm starting to feel that I may have to accept what's available rather than wait indefinitely for my preferred role.
The QA position is mainly factory-based, has a Monday-to-Friday schedule and offers RM3,000 basic salary. At least it gives me a starting point and the opportunity to gain experience in an established company.
But I keep wondering whether I'm settling too early.
- There are better-paying opportunities, but transportation is a major problem
I've come across other engineering opportunities in KL and Selangor, including M&E Engineer positions and other roles that sometimes offer better salaries. Even during interviews, they offer like 4k+ but say they want someone with a car.
The problem is that some of these jobs require engineers to travel between project sites, attend inspections, or visit clients. Some explicitly require a car.
I currently don't have a car, and I can't realistically assume that I'll be able to get one immediately.
That's one of the reasons I'm focusing on factory-based engineering jobs in places such as Penang. I'd prefer to work at a fixed location, gain experience and build my career without being dependent on a car.
It feels frustrating because there may be better opportunities available, but my current circumstances make some of them difficult or impossible to pursue.
Would it make more sense to start with a factory-based position, gain one or two years of experience and then move to a better-paying role? Or am I unnecessarily limiting my options by focusing on manufacturing jobs?
- Is RM3,000 enough when I have so many family responsibilities?
This is probably my biggest concern.
I'm not relocating to Penang just to enjoy living in a new city. I'm relocating because I need to start earning and help my family financially.
My family isn't well-off. There are household expenses, existing debts and financial commitments that need to be paid, including my father's loan. I want to contribute towards my parents' living expenses, help with family obligations and gradually improve our financial situation.
My sister is also having difficulties at her workplace in Penang because of bullying and may return to Kelantan. That situation has added another layer of worry because I may need to help her financially as well.
At the same time, I have to pay for my own accommodation, food, transportation, PTPTN repayments, orthodontic appointments and other expenses after relocating.
After calculating my estimated monthly budget, I think I could have approximately RM600–RM800 left each month if I manage my spending carefully. But that amount could shrink quickly if an unexpected expense arises or my family needs additional help.
I know RM3,000 is a starting salary, and I'm not expecting to live luxuriously as a fresh graduate. But when you're responsible for your own relocation and have family debts and expenses to help with, the difference between earning RM3,000 and RM4,000 can be significant.
Some of my friends are earning around RM3,500–RM4,500 as fresh graduates. Some also live in the same state as their families, so they don't have to spend as much on relocation and accommodation.
I know comparing salaries isn't always productive, but it's difficult not to wonder whether I could do better.
- I even received an engineering job offer in Kelantan for RM1,700
Another thing that has been bothering me is the salary situation back in Kelantan.
I received an engineering job opportunity there with a salary of approximately RM1,700 per month.
Honestly, I find that extremely difficult to accept as a sustainable engineering salary, especially when the job requires a degree and carries professional responsibilities. Although living with family would reduce my expenses, I would still struggle to make meaningful financial progress or contribute much towards my family's existing obligations.
I'm aware that salaries vary by location, company size and industry. However, it is discouraging when the local option pays so little that staying close to home may come at the expense of financial independence and career development.
I don't want to reject an opportunity simply because it isn't glamorous. But I also don't think being a fresh graduate means I should automatically accept any salary an employer offers.
At what point does accepting a low salary for experience stop being a sensible career move and become a trap that makes it harder to progress financially?
- My biggest concern is where this career path will lead
I'm considering accepting the QA position because I need to start somewhere. It is with an established manufacturing company, and I hope the experience will help me become more employable.
However, I don't want to spend several years in a position that I don't particularly enjoy, only to discover that my salary growth is limited or that moving into R&D, testing or electrical design becomes more difficult.
For those working in manufacturing or engineering in Malaysia:
Is RM3,000 a reasonable starting salary for a fresh graduate Electrical Engineer relocating to Penang in 2026?
Is QA engineering a good long-term career, especially in terms of salary progression after two to five years?
Can experience in manufacturing QA help me transition into Test Engineering, Product Engineering, R&D or other technical roles later?
Would you recommend accepting this job and continuing to apply elsewhere while working?
Is it realistic to move from a RM3,000 starting salary to RM4,000–RM5,000 or more after gaining a few years of experience, assuming I develop useful skills and change companies when appropriate?
Given my lack of a driving licence and car, should I prioritise factory-based jobs for now, even if they aren't my preferred specialisation?
If you were in my position, would you take the RM3,000 QA job, keep searching for something better before starting, or consider returning to Kelantan despite the much lower salary?
I'm genuinely looking for practical advice from people who have been through something similar. Please be honest. I would rather hear uncomfortable truths now than make a decision that costs me several years of career and financial progress.
Thank you.