Data Engineer vs Data Scientist salary
In Malaysia, a data engineer earns about 45% more than a data scientist — $85,261 vs $58,970 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is MYR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Technology
Data Engineer$85,261/yr
- Monthly
- $7,101
- Hourly
- $41
- Range
- $54,572–$122,781
- 10-yr outlook
- +30%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Data Engineer | Data Scientist |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $54,572 | $36,684 |
| 25th | $69,904 | $47,815 |
| Median | $85,261 | $58,970 |
| 75th | $104,009 | $72,583 |
| Senior (90th) | $122,781 | $86,220 |
National Malaysia figures in MYR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a data engineer or data scientist earn more in Malaysia?
- A data engineer earns more, at about RM 347,000 per year vs RM 240,000 for a data scientist — roughly 45% (RM 107,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in Malaysia?
- A data engineer typically earns RM 222,100–RM 499,700, while a data scientist earns RM 149,300–RM 350,900 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in Malaysia?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about RM 28,900 and a data scientist about RM 20,000.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in Malaysia, a data engineer earns about RM 222,100 while a data scientist earns about RM 149,300 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in Malaysia, a data engineer earns about RM 499,700 while a data scientist earns about RM 350,900 per year.
- Are data engineer and data scientist similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.