i think depending on company and task.... local company might end u up around RM 6K ++ while MNC company i guess around 7K++ till RM 10K is normal. 7 years experience in development already entitled you for an assistant manager or technical manager position. You can always try to push it towards that way if you want to.

5K is hard. Even me single, living with my mom in KL. I have to take care of 2 cars (1 for my mom, 1 mine), groceries, 2 hand phones, house rent, my salary is just enough every month without any saving. Sometimes one the car broke down or have to change tires, then I need to put it on credit card and pay it slowly. For me who earns a bit more than 5K even look at this as very hard... i can't imagine for people who earn less than this unless house is paid for and meals provided by parents.

sorry... what I meant by 2 handphones means that 1 for me.. and 1 for my mom. If living alone, yeah 5K should be more than enough but once you have responsibilities then its different story....