100 Best Jobs in Singapore (2009)

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I have two lists this year – one for the top jobs across all industries and a separate one specifically for the financial services industry, just to show how skewed the numbers are.

This is the 2009 edition of my annual list(s) of the best 100 jobs in terms of pay (see last year’s edition).

The lists are compiled based on data from the MOM Report on Wages in Singapore 2008.

As with previous years, the numbers reported in the MOM survey excludes performance bonuses, profit sharing and stock options. Even though it’s called a “survey”, actual CPF data is used.

To generate the first list, I look at the third-quartile monthly gross wages of the selected jobs in all industries. Explanation: if you’re at the third-quartile, or 75th-percentile, your pay is higher than 75% of the people.

Here’s the top 100 best-paying jobs across all industries (see also second list below, which is specific to the finance industry):

  1. Specialised surgeon – $27,977
  2. Managing director – $26,444
  3. Personal banker – $20,238
  4. Commodities futures broker – $19,098
  5. General manager – $18,068
  6. Foreign exchange dealer and broker – $17,383
  7. Company director – $16,025
  8. Finance sales associate professional – $15,833
  9. Fund manager – $12,634
  10. Risk management manager – $12,200
  11. Treasury manager – $12,000
  12. Financial futures dealer and broker – $11,667
  13. Legal service manager – $11,531
  14. Advocate and solicitor – $11,147
  15. Business management consultant – $11,000
  16. Operations manager (Finance) – $10,471
  17. Legal officer – $10,417
  18. Computer operations and network manager – $10,238
  19. Training manager – $10,100
  20. Corporate planning manager – $9,850
  21. Computer and information systems manager – $9,800
  22. Business development manager – $9,770
  23. Research and development manager – $9,627
  24. Engineering manager – $9,268
  25. Sea traffic controller – $9,088
  26. Marketing manager – $8,917
  27. Lawyer (except advocate and solicitor) – $8,800
  28. Budgeting and financial accounting manager – $8,727
  29. Customer service manager – $8,635
  30. Personnel / Human resource manager – $8,500
  31. Technical manager – $8,500
  32. Quality assurance manager – $8,480
  33. Procurement manager – $8,400
  34. Naval architect – $8,300
  35. University lecturer – $8,282
  36. Creative director (Advertising) – $8,050
  37. Sales manager – $8,050
  38. Chemical engineer (Petroleum) – $7,991
  39. Chemical engineer (Petrochemicals) – $7,939
  40. Manufacturing plant and production manager – $7,934
  41. Instrumentation engineer – $7,831
  42. Logistics manager – $7,745
  43. Structural engineer – $7,295
  44. Network systems and data communication analyst – $7,293
  45. Advertising and public relations manager – $7,282
  46. Premises maintenance manager – $7,260
  47. Information technology security specialist – $7,110
  48. Chinese physician – $7,043
  49. Aeronautical engineer – $7,022
  50. Shipping manager – $7,000
  51. Business analyst – $6,997
  52. Medical scientist – $6,875
  53. Librarian – $6,842
  54. Property / Estate manager – $6,780
  55. Financial analyst – $6,667
  56. Operations manager (Commerce) – $6,660
  57. Editor (Radio, television and video) – $6,515
  58. Credit analyst – $6,475
  59. Database administrator – $6,417
  60. Computer engineer – $6,407
  61. Marine superintendent engineer – $6,387
  62. Transport operations manager – $6,377
  63. Administration manager – $6,350
  64. Building and construction project manager – $6,200
  65. Flight operations officer – $6,157
  66. Sales representative (Technical) – $6,100
  67. General physician – $6,085
  68. Information technology auditor – $6,048
  69. Securities dealer and broker – $6,000
  70. Market research analyst – $5,834
  71. Clearing and forwarding agent – $5,800
  72. Power generation and distribution engineer – $5,790
  73. Chemical engineer – $5,708
  74. Industrial health, safety and environment engineer – $5,700
  75. Automotive engineer – $5,670
  76. Chemical engineering technician (Petroleum) – $5,647
  77. Operations research analyst – $5,611
  78. Chemical engineering technician (Petrochemicals) – $5,609
  79. Chief / executive cook – $5,600
  80. Warehousing manager – $5,550
  81. Building architect – $5,500
  82. Systems designer and analyst – $5,500
  83. Application programmer – $5,495
  84. Pharmacologist – $5,475
  85. Speech therapist – $5,407
  86. Semi-conductor engineer – $5,360
  87. Stationary plant supervisor and general foreman – $5,353
  88. Treasury officer – $5,350
  89. Ship-master – $5,301
  90. Software engineer – $5,281
  91. Industrial machinery and tools engineer – $5,250
  92. Sales representative – $5,237
  93. Hotel service manager – $5,170
  94. Production engineer – $5,165
  95. Network and computer systems administrator – $5,159
  96. Telecommunications engineer – $5,100
  97. Advertising copywriter – $5,000
  98. Civil engineer – $5,000
  99. Environment health inspector – $5,000
  100. Soil mechanic and piling engineer – $4,980

This second list contains the best-paying jobs in the financial industry. Compare the top numbers here with those above:

  1. Managing director – $48,000
  2. Company director – $23,500
  3. Legal officer – $23,033
  4. Personal banker – $20,238
  5. General manager – $19,700
  6. Foreign exchange dealer and broker – $17,595
  7. Lawyer (except advocate and solicitor) – $17,500
  8. Finance sales associate professional – $15,833
  9. Fund manager – $13,107
  10. Risk management manager – $13,000
  11. Computer operations and network manager – $12,762
  12. Engineering manager – $12,718
  13. Treasury manager – $12,000
  14. Financial futures dealer and broker – $11,667
  15. Quality assurance manager – $11,500
  16. Sales manager – $11,367
  17. Corporate planning manager – $10,969
  18. Training manager – $10,834
  19. Legal service manager – $10,797
  20. Operations manager (Finance) – $10,486
  21. Personnel / Human resource manager – $9,940
  22. Business development manager – $9,918
  23. Auditor (Accounting) – $9,750
  24. Market research analyst – $9,750
  25. Computer and information systems manager – $9,392
  26. Budgeting and financial accounting manager – $9,300
  27. Business management consultant – $9,167
  28. Marketing manager – $9,000
  29. Customer service manager – $8,342
  30. Software engineer – $8,309
  31. Database administrator – $8,300
  32. Premises maintenance manager – $8,175
  33. Operations manager (Commerce) – $8,000
  34. Network systems and data communication analyst – $7,762
  35. Administration manager – $7,711
  36. Credit analyst – $7,584
  37. Business analyst – $7,500
  38. Financial analyst – $7,500
  39. Property / Estate manager – $7,300
  40. Information technology security specialist – $7,084
  41. Network and computer systems administrator – $6,713
  42. Application programmer – $6,463
  43. Systems designer and analyst – $6,272
  44. Securities dealer and broker – $6,000
  45. Advertising and public relations manager – $5,811
  46. Corporate planning / affairs executive – $5,500
  47. Executive secretary – $5,417
  48. Treasury officer – $5,350
  49. Accountant – $4,900
  50. Civil engineer – $4,841
  51. Computer systems operator – $4,724
  52. Actuary – $4,590
  53. Training officer – $4,583
  54. Credit officer – $4,520
  55. Personnel / Human resource officer – $4,520
  56. Systems programmer – $4,450
  57. Sales and marketing executive – $4,428
  58. Management executive – $4,275
  59. Public relations officer – $4,217
  60. Bank officer – $4,167
  61. Insurance sales agent and broker – $4,063
  62. Graphic designer – $4,004
  63. Property management executive – $4,000
  64. Accounts executive – $3,896
  65. Operations executive – $3,860
  66. Secretary – $3,835
  67. Appraiser and valuer – $3,800
  68. Insurance underwriter – $3,666
  69. Clerical supervisor – $3,660
  70. Mechanical engineer – $3,638
  71. Personnel / Human resource clerk – $3,531
  72. Customer service executive – $3,461
  73. Chauffeur – $3,341
  74. Fire and safety officer – $3,225
  75. Legal clerk – $3,200
  76. Billing clerk – $3,042
  77. Data processing control clerk – $2,909
  78. Customer service clerk – $2,742
  79. Cashier – $2,643
  80. Ledger and accounts clerk – $2,583
  81. Marketing clerk – $2,550
  82. Office clerk – $2,481
  83. Bank clerk – $2,441
  84. Insurance / Underwriting clerk – $2,399
  85. Bank teller – $2,307
  86. Receptionist – $2,300
  87. Securities clerk – $2,119
  88. Office / Library attendant – $1,941
  89. Building maintenance worker – $1,901
  90. Storekeeper – $1,643

As noted by some people previously, pilots, military jobs, top civil service posts and political appointments are not included in the MOM survey. Does anyone know why?

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126 Comments

  1. Does the pay package matter to you? If so, question is, are you willing to put in the efforts, take the risks, and do all it takes to achieve it? Now, most people only see the nice side of things – the big pay package. However, when it comes to the crunch, I’d say that many are really not willing to PAY THE PRICE to achieve it.

    I come from a humble family and used to be an engineer. However, I knew I would never command the kind of pay package I would love to have. Knowing that, I moved on and am now a “Finance sales associate professional”. Worked hard and put in my best – just like I did in my previous job. All I can say now is that I’ve made my parents really proud and there is no turning back.

    My personal motto in life is, “Life is unfair. You just got to play it to your advantage.” I saw my previous job as a “disadvantaged position”. I hope I don’t offend anyone. Let me make this clear – I still love engineering. Just that it’s not amongst the most rewarding career option in Singapore. I told myself that I just had to seek that “unfair advantage”.

    I can’t speak for everyone or even the rest, but my personal experience in my pay differential is quite accurately reflected in the above figures.

    Of course, there are other non-quantifiable traits of a job – work-life balance, interests, satisfaction, happiness, colleagues, culture, security, etc. Remember, there is no perfect job. Choose the traits that mean alot more to you, and then ask yourself the question, “am I willing to pay the price of the reward by giving up the other traits of the job?”

    I was.

  2. Job number 90 on the Financial Services list: how is a storekeeper part of the financial services industry?

  3. I am 29 this year working in advertising. I would say I got this far because of my hard work and also due to some element of luck good fortune.

    I am getting 15K total package a month excluding AWS and performance bonuses.

    Do you think I am underpaid?

    Cheers!
    Ron

  4. My name is also Ronaldo, and i work in sports. I would say i got this far because of my hard work and breathtaking pace on the wings.

    I am getting 500k per week with 1-2 year bonuses for good performances. And lots of parties with many hot men.

    Do you think i am underpaid?

    Cheers!
    Ron

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  8. I worked as an engineer and moved into ibanking for the money. The only trouble is you have to work usually with complete fools who frankly have no idea what they are doing or talking about. I had friends with similar experience to myself. I now understand why investment bankers are payed well, its because the job is crap. You work crazy hours and all I did all day was brain numbing modelling and preparing pitch books using bloody PowerPoint which any bright 16 year old could have done. Complete waste of time and brain power and I have no idea why you would need a degree in anything to perform the analyst or associate level work.

    After two boring years saving money and with a slightly reduced IQ I did manage to return to engineering. It’s worth baring in mind that my engineering degree was useful for getting a banking job but going back the other way was somewhat a problem since many good engineering firms did not respect my banking experience and I think even looked down on it, so be careful if you are an engineer who thinks he might like to go back. I now appreciate engineering much more this time round. It’s nice to work with genuinely bright but humble individuals instead of the arrogant business school types with half a brain. Remember sometimes it’s really not just about the money 😉

  9. Are you sure Phil? on

    Phil sounds like he is just making up a story to make IBankers sound bad just as he is not earning that kind of money in engineering.

  10. The sad local grad above who thinks the farmers enrolled in local universities can claim to have any ounce of exposure, experience or rights to an overseas education is pathetic. So sad, really.

  11. The sad local grad above thinks the farmers enrolled in local universities and going for the pathetic 6 mth exchange programs their pathetic schools beg for can claim to have an ounce of exposure to an an overseas education. So sad, pathetic, really. Hahaha

  12. I wished I could have been a brain Surgeon but didn’t have the brains 🙁 I do work in banking and kind of agree with Phil. That said I do think some of the work is more stimulating then he makes it out to be, well to me it is anyway.

  13. Wats the salary chart to u :
    when u r 16yo?(‘O’ level)
    when u r 19yo? ( ORD)
    When u r 21-25yo (settling works, or further studies)
    When u r 25-30yo (a few years working n having ur 1/2 fulfilled life,’and it’s still always 1/2 fulfilled as the list to it’, get longer)
    When u r 30-35yo (views on status archived so far)
    When u r 35-40 yo (niggled by the rate or further speculation of archived status)

    And looking back, wat had done, lost, replaced n voided as in all aspect of values……

    Can still see the far the ground since u really took off?
    Can get back to the ground level again?
    Switch the both roles n see again….. And see how much of ur heart left after all ur discount to the damage from the sum of the aspect of values……

  14. These figures look really inflated. I dont believe they are that high in reality. Minus $1K each more accurate

  15. (solo Says:
    April 20th, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    “How many receptionists you know earn SGD2300 per mth? Most of them I know earn less than SGD2000. The only good thing about working as a receptionist is that you usually get to go off on time as you need to log-off the PABX system)

    – My dear cousin used to work as a receptionist in a private corporate/finance law firm for 2 years between 2009 – 2011. Basically doing nothing much – serves visitors, book meeting rooms, arrange courier services, answering phone calls..etc. Most of the time she just uses the net and ‘facebook’. For all that, she takes home $2.5k+/mth, 9-6/5-day work, was given 16days AL, $1k medical/dental claims, 13th month bonus and ~2-3months annual profit sharing with just a N-level cert while I have a diploma in engineering, slogging my time n energy away in my co. earning just $200 more than her. FML!

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  17. novembertwentyeleven on

    I am a Business Librarian in an academic institution; I have been working as a Librarian for 16 years. My gross monthly salary, if I include the 13th month bonus and exclude any other extras, is $4,900.

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  21. Tbh,

    Im 25 in investment banking and your pay for market research analyst is just about right. Whatever others say, ur pay for the financial industry isnt far off. The lowest 25% (entry level) earns about there. Depending on the bank. So yeah. Keep up the good work. Im not shitting you.

  22. Most in finance are not Singaporeans as there is a preference for Malaysians Sg PR(60%), 20% foreigners and Singaporeans 20%. This is to retain the scam within the industry as the whole nation is forced to invest through them by the artificially created low interest rates.
    Fleecing the nation.
    They have held back the jobs from locals and are waiting for their kids to gain the 10 year experience for some credibility to set up funds.
    Be aware.

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