Community Development Officer

Stable

Public Sector

Runs rural community programmes, TABIKA KEMAS preschools, family and adult education activities for KEMAS under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW); the same scheme also serves the National Unity Department (Rukun Tetangga) and JKM. Entry is through SPA from SPM level (Pembantu S1) up to degree level (Pegawai S9).

You can enter this career straight after SPM. A degree is optional, not required.

PsychologyEducationGeneral

Picture the job

Where you'd usually workOut in the community

An illustration of a typical workplace, not a photo. Real workplaces vary.

In Malaysia

How people get into it here: Straight after SPM (credit in Bahasa Melayu; SKM Level 2/3 raises your starting pay) apply on SPA9 for Pembantu Pembangunan Masyarakat S1. With STPM, STAM, Matriculation or a related diploma, apply for Penolong Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat S5; with a related degree (e.g. social science, community development, social work), apply for Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat S9. Serving staff can move up through the special exam.

Sources:spa.gov.my docs.jpa.gov.my emasco.mohr.gov.my

Pay in the private market

Monthly pay from fresh grad to mid-career, from the salary guide cited on this page.

Entry

Private

RM1,650 – RM2,470

Government pay isn't shown: we haven't yet sourced the SSPA civil-service salary tables, and we won't estimate them.

Job demand outlook

Stable

Steady, reliable demand: a consistent number of openings.

Your readiness

How your current SPM subjects line up with this career.

Add your SPM grades to see how ready you are for this career.

Add my grades

The full route to this careerThe steps from school, UPU programmes and sourced costs, read against your answers.

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

TVET

Hands-on trades with strong employability: ILP, ADTEC, kolej vokasional, GiatMARA.

1–3 years

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

IPG (Teacher Training)

Explore KPM's teacher-training route. Check current funding and apply through KPM's PISMP portal, not UPUOnline.

~5 years

International Pre-U

A-Levels, AUSMAT, IB and more. The flexible premium route, local or overseas.

1–2 years

Compare routes against your results and interests

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

Quick answers

How do you become a Community Development Officer in Malaysia?

Straight after SPM (credit in Bahasa Melayu; SKM Level 2/3 raises your starting pay) apply on SPA9 for Pembantu Pembangunan Masyarakat S1. With STPM, STAM, Matriculation or a related diploma, apply for Penolong Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat S5; with a related degree (e.g. social science, community development, social work), apply for Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat S9. Serving staff can move up through the special exam.

Can I become a Community Development Officer straight after SPM?

Yes. This career can be started with a certificate, diploma or TVET training straight after SPM, without a degree.

What should I study to become a Community Development Officer?

Related fields of study: Psychology and Education. SPM subjects that help most: Bahasa Melayu, Your teaching subject, Moral / Islamic Studies and English.

How much does a Community Development Officer earn in Malaysia?

Published figures put starting pay at RM1,650 – RM2,470 a month (source: SPA scheme: Penolong Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat S5 (formerly S29) and Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat S9 (formerly S41) starting pay (Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bil. 1/2024, SSPA), Sep 2026).

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

Bahasa MelayuExplain clearly to a class.

Your teaching subjectMaster what you'll teach.

Moral / Islamic StudiesValues you'll pass on to students.

EnglishOpens doors to more courses and jobs.

MathematicsNeeded for most further study.

Skills to build

Building trust with rural communitiesOrganising programmes and coursesMediating and solving local issuesClear reporting and record keeping

What beginner adverts asked for

We read 5 internship and fresh-graduate adverts in related fields (August 2026). A small sample from one job site, not every vacancy.

5 of 5 were internships

Professional bodies named

MOH

Languages named

Bahasa Malaysia

An empty line means the adverts did not say, not that employers have no requirement. Check each employer's own advert before you plan around it.

About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

Source: SPA scheme: Penolong Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat S5 (formerly S29) and Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat S9 (formerly S41) starting pay (Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bil. 1/2024, SSPA) · as of Sept 2026

Check the salary figures yourself:JPA (SSPA schedule)SPA

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org