Macrobrachium sintangense, or regang shrimp, is a freshwater species found in rivers, lakes, irrigation channels, ponds and rice fields in Indonesia. Increased levels of contaminants in various rivers can lead to the entry of toxic ions, such as heavy metals, which may interfere with the absorption of ions essential for the osmoregulation process. This study aims to analyse the effect of cadmium (Cd) heavy metal exposure at various salinity levels on the total protein levels and gill protein profiles of M. sintangense shrimp. The shrimp were acclimated for 7 days before being exposed to cadmium concentrations of 0 μg/L, 30 μg/L and 300 μg/L in media with salinities of 0‰, 10‰ and 20‰. Total protein concentration was measured using the Bradford Protein Assay method with a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 595 nm, while protein profiles were analysed using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The results showed 11 protein bands in the gill profile of M. sintangense for each treatment. Protein profiles, as observed in the gel electrophoresis, indicated that the protein bands in the control group (0‰ salinity and 0 μg/L cadmium concentration) were thinner compared to those exposed to higher salinities and cadmium concentrations.