How much do delivery riders earn in Malaysia?

We compare Grab, Foodpanda, ShopeeFood, Lalamove & Maxim income — per-delivery pay, monthly estimates, real costs, and your new rights under the Gig Workers Act 2025. The figures below are gross estimates from public reports & rider self-reports.

Platform comparison

Earnings vary a lot by hours, zone, weather & incentives. Monthly ranges assume full-time hours.

Platform Per delivery Monthly (est.) How it pays
🛵Grab Motorcycle · food RM5–12 RM1,500–4,000 Per delivery + peak/"quest" incentives (~RM6.50/order)
🛵Foodpanda Motorcycle/car · food RM4–8+ RM2,000–4,000 Base + distance + bonuses; tips; ~RM750/wk advertised
🛵ShopeeFood Motorcycle · food RM5–8 RM3,000–4,700 Per delivery + quota bonuses (e.g. +RM30–50/day)
🚚Lalamove Bike/car/van · parcels RM8–80/job RM100–300/day Bigger loads, surge & multi-stop; higher vehicle costs
🛵Maxim* Bike/car · food + e-hailing RM5–8* RM1,500–3,500* Per order; strong in smaller towns/JB; *limited public data

All figures are GROSS estimates (before costs) from public reports & rider self-reports. *Maxim-specific data is limited — general market ranges shown.

⚠️ These are GROSS earnings — not take-home

Riders are independent contractors, so the figures above are before your costs: fuel, vehicle servicing, phone & data, road tax & insurance. These can eat RM500–1,500 a month.

There's no EPF and no employer match — so plan your own retirement savings. Try the EPF calculator →

⚖️ Your rights: Gig Workers Act 2025 (Act 872)

In force in 2026, Act 872 protects over 1.6 million gig workers including delivery riders. It gives pay-rate transparency, a ban on discrimination, occupational safety & health, and social security via PERKESO.

An automatic PERKESO deduction of 1.25% applies to every job you accept. Disputes can go to the Gig Workers Tribunal.

Frequently asked questions

Which platform pays the most?

Lalamove usually shows the highest per-job pay because it moves bigger loads by car/van, but its costs are higher too. For motorcycle food delivery, Grab & Foodpanda are close — earnings depend more on your hours, zone & incentives than on the platform itself.

Can you make a living as a full-time rider?

Many full-time riders report RM3,000–4,000 gross a month with long hours, but after fuel & vehicle costs the net is lower and there's no EPF. It can cover living costs in a city with discipline, but income is not fixed.

Do riders pay income tax?

Yes — gig income is taxable income. If your annual total exceeds the taxable threshold you must declare it to LHDN. You can deduct work-related expenses such as fuel & maintenance.

Sources & references: Glassdoor / Indeed Malaysia (self-reported rider pay, incl. ShopeeFood & Maxim); CompareHero, TheSmartLocal, foodpanda rider page, Lalamove driver page; FMT — Gig Workers Bill, Gig Workers Act 2025.

CariGaji is not affiliated with or endorsed by Grab, Foodpanda, ShopeeFood, Lalamove or Maxim. All brand names are the property of their respective owners. Figures are estimates from public reports & self-submissions; actual earnings vary and are not guaranteed.