A new YouGov Survey covering 36 different occupations reveals a striking gap between pay and perceived contribution to society in Indonesia. The findings suggest that those seen as contributing the most are often underpaid, while those viewed as overpaid are considered to contribute the least.

Politicians and celebrities top the “overpaid” list
Members of Parliament (MPs) are seen as the most overpaid profession, with 90% of Indonesians saying they earn more than they should, including 82% who feel they are “overpaid by a lot.” Political party members (82%) and actors (69%) follow closely behind. Significant portions of the public also see social media influencers (63%), lawyers (62%), and singers (59%) as overpaid. Even police officers (54%) and doctors (48%) fall into this category for many.

Farmers, teachers, and workers seen as undervalued
At the opposite end of the scale, nearly three-quarters believe farmers (74%) and schoolteachers (73%) are underpaid. Fishermen (72%) and cleaning workers (64%) are also considered underpaid, alongside construction laborers, factory workers, street vendors, domestic workers, and delivery couriers (59%–61%).

Rail and bus drivers are seen as the fairest paid, with 63% saying their wages are “about right.” Journalists, accountants, psychologists, and bankers also fall into this middle ground (52%–58%).

High contribution, low reward
When asked about social contribution, jobs seen as underpaid consistently emerge as society’s backbone. Firefighters, nurses and midwives, schoolteachers, and farmers (88%–89%) are considered to contribute a great deal while being underpaid. University lecturers, fishermen, livestock farmers, rail and bus drivers, cleaners, and skilled tradespeople are also recognized as high contributors by at least eight in ten Indonesians.

Doctors are the exception to this pattern: while nearly half consider them overpaid, they are still viewed as the single most valuable contributors to society (90%).

Overpaid but low contribution
Conversely, occupations seen as overpaid, such as politicians, MPs, actors, and singers, are widely viewed as contributing less to society. The notable exception is social media influencers, who, despite being seen as overpaid, are also viewed by many Indonesians as making significant contributions.

Overall, the findings underscore a deep disconnect: many of the jobs that Indonesians see as essential to society are underpaid, while those seen as less essential are over-rewarded. This tension highlights the public’s growing awareness of inequality in how different kinds of work are valued.

Methodology

YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. The data is based on the responses of 2019 online adults aged 18+ years in Indonesia between September 15-17, 2025. YouGov will continue tracking public sentiment around the macroeconomic trends in the months ahead. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced