(5 July 2008 – See the 2008 edition of this list.)
(8 August – Updated with ranking of 3rd-quartile gross wages.)
This is the 2007 edition of my annual list of 100 best-paying jobs in Singapore. It is compiled based on data from MOM Occupational Wages Survey, which is published as part of the Report on Wages in Singapore 2006.
The 2006 edition of this post.
The survey covered more than 180,000 individuals, and their wage information is collected from CPF.
But note that the wage data do not include performance bonuses, profit sharing and stock options.
Without further ado, here’s the list of the top 100 jobs based on the 75th-percentile gross basic monthly income (I don’t use the mean or median income as I want my list to better reflect the higher earners in the top jobs):
- Managing director – $20,000
- Commodities futures broker – $17,084
- Financial futures dealer and broker – $16,667
- General Manager – $15,417
- Foreign exchange dealer and broker – $13,024
- Company director – $12,680
- Securities dealer and broker – $12,500
- Specialised surgeon – $12,000
- Risk management manager – $10,800
- Creative director (Advertising) – $10,800
- Legal service manager – $9,592
- Treasury manager – $9,050
- Operations manager (Finance) – $9,000
- Legal officer – $8,975
- Research and development manager – $7,696
- Engineering manager – $7,543
- Budgeting and financial accounting manager – $7,525
- Training manager – $7,502
- Business development manager – $7,500
- Computer and information systems manager – $7,473
- Technical manager – $7,400
- Corporate planning manager – $7,350
- Advocate and solicitor – $7,300
- Quality assurance manager – $7,210
- Personnel / Human resource manager – $7,205
- Computer operations and network manager – $7,200
- Marketing manager – $7,004
- Business management consultant – $6,933
- Advertising and public relations manager – $6,876
- Procurement manager – $6,833
- Editor (Newspapers and periodicals) – $6,798
- Editor (Radio, television and video) – $6,776
- Biologist – $6,710
- Chemical engineer (Petroleum) – $6,708
- Credit analyst – $6,667
- Customer service manager – $6,662
- Logistics manager – $6,558
- Manufacturing plant and production manager – $6,513
- Advertising copywriter – $6,500
- Marine superintendent engineer – $6,480
- Building architect – $6,400
- Lawyer (except advocate and solicitor) – $6,300
- Sales manager – $6,248
- Premises maintenance manager – $6,220
- Business analyst – $6,192
- Flight operations officer – $6,003
- Operations manager – $6,000
- Transport operations manager – $6,000
- Administration manager – $5,967
- Hydrographic surveyor – $5,819
- Shipping manager – $5,750
- Industrial health, safety and environment engineer – $5,700
- Property / Estate manager – $5,300
- Building and construction project manager – $5,270
- Financial analyst – $5,210
- Clearing and forwarding agent – $5,200
- Telecommunications engineer – $5,185
- Instrumentation engineer – $5,136
- Treasury officer – $5,100
- Aeronautical engineer – $5,063
- Information technology auditor – $5,047
- Database administrator – $4,985
- Warehousing manager – $4,900
- Electronics engineer – $4,759
- Medical pathologist – $4,738
- Information technology security specialist – $4,635
- Chemist – $4,605
- Systems designer and analyst – $4,600
- Network systems and data communication analyst – $4,415
- Materials engineer – $4,414
- Accountant – $4,380
- Production engineer – $4,370
- Biomedical engineer – $4,361
- Structural engineer – $4,350
- Civil engineer – $4,350
- Journalist – $4,350
- General physician – $4,344
- Research officer – $4,309
- Mechanical engineer – $4,279
- Executive secretary – $4,254
- Assistant civil and structural engineer – $4,244
- Chemical engineer – $4,235
- Translator – $4,205
- Software engineer – $4,200
- Application programmer – $4,175
- Power generation and distribution engineer – $4,170
- QC engineer – $4,150
- Chemical engineer (Petrochemicals) – $4,146
- Automotive engineer – $4,139
- Electrical engineer – $4,126
- Semi-conductor engineer – $4,100
- Statistical officer – $4,063
- Market research analyst – $4,057
- Computer engineer – $4,040
- CAD CAM engineer – $4,038
- Manufacturing engineer – $4,028
- Naval architect – $4,000
- Librarian – $4,000
- Specialised nurse – $4,000
- Medical diagnostic radiographer – $3,993
This is the ranking table based on 75th-percentile gross monthly income (as opposed to basic monthly income):
- Financial futures dealer and broker – $23,517
- Managing director – $20,775
- Specialised surgeon – $19,100
- Commodities futures broker – $17,084
- General Manager – $17,000
- Company director – $13,490
- Foreign exchange dealer and broker – $13,334
- Securities dealer and broker – $13,000
- Creative director (Advertising) – $10,800
- Risk management manager – $10,800
- Hydrographic surveyor – $10,522
- Legal service manager – $10,000
- Treasury manager – $9,724
- Operations manager (Finance) – $9,450
- Legal officer – $9,394
- Training manager – $8,240
- Business development manager – $8,000
- Research and development manager – $7,890
- Budgeting and financial accounting manager – $7,850
- Engineering manager – $7,762
- Technical manager – $7,706
- Corporate planning manager – $7,700
- Quality assurance manager – $7,700
- Computer and information systems manager – $7,626
- Advocate and solicitor – $7,590
- Computer operations and network manager – $7,577
- Personnel / Human resource manager – $7,534
- Logistics manager – $7,343
- Marketing manager – $7,315
- Customer service manager – $7,198
- Procurement manager – $7,190
- Business management consultant – $7,152
- Chemical engineer (Petroleum) – $7,095
- Sales manager – $7,050
- Advertising and public relations manager – $6,900
- Manufacturing plant and production manager – $6,894
- Aeronautical engineer – $6,876
- Editor (Newspapers and periodicals) – $6,798
- Editor (Radio, television and video) – $6,776
- Biologist – $6,752
- Credit analyst – $6,667
- Premises maintenance manager – $6,520
- Advertising copywriter – $6,500
- Building architect – $6,500
- Marine superintendent engineer – $6,480
- Lawyer (except advocate and solicitor) – $6,400
- Industrial health, safety and environment engineer – $6,362
- Operations manager – $6,340
- Business analyst – $6,206
- Transport operations manager – $6,174
- Shipping manager – $6,100
- Administration manager – $6,070
- Flight operations officer – $6,038
- Aeronautical engineering technician – $5,985
- Treasury officer – $5,904
- Marine engineer – $5,881
- Personal banker – $5,661
- Instrumentation engineer – $5,646
- Building and construction project manager – $5,600
- General physician – $5,579
- Property / Estate manager – $5,456
- Database administrator – $5,374
- Information technology auditor – $5,347
- Telecommunications engineer – $5,336
- Financial analyst – $5,333
- Clearing and forwarding agent – $5,200
- Warehousing manager – $5,000
- Chemist – $4,986
- Naval architect – $4,900
- Chemical engineer (Petrochemicals) – $4,896
- Chemical engineering technician – $4,884
- Materials engineer – $4,853
- Electronics engineer – $4,831
- Medical pathologist – $4,800
- Systems designer and analyst – $4,780
- Information technology security specialist – $4,735
- Chemical engineer – $4,726
- Civil engineer – $4,725
- Mechanical engineer – $4,682
- Production engineer – $4,680
- Real estate agent – $4,647
- Power generation and distribution engineer – $4,622
- Journalist – $4,606
- Structural engineer – $4,600
- After sales service adviser – $4,570
- Network systems and data communication analyst – $4,532
- Sales representative (Technical) – $4,520
- Biomedical engineer – $4,500
- Accountant – $4,499
- Semi-conductor engineer – $4,496
- Application programmer – $4,430
- Research officer – $4,400
- QC engineer – $4,396
- Executive secretary – $4,385
- Electrical engineer – $4,368
- Automotive engineer – $4,360
- Computer engineer – $4,357
- Market research analyst – $4,340
- Software engineer – $4,314
- Specialised nurse – $4,304
The differences between gross and basic wages can be noted from the following, which I quote from the report:
The spread between gross and basic wages was more pronounced among occupations which require payments for overtime, commissions and allowances (e.g. shift, food, housing and transport), such as sales & service workers and blue-collar workers where gross wages were about 15% to 40% higher than basic wages. On the other hand, there was little difference between the basic and gross wages among managers and professionals. Their variable pay usually takes the form of performance bonuses, profit sharing and stock options which are not captured in this survey.
536 Comments
120k annually is not a difficult sum for 1st officers. Most of them earn that as long as they fly.
yeah it seems to be a pretty good life, and at age 28 that salary is pretty hard to beat in most other fields.
Hey, how come no mention about the Prime Minister position here. It’s one of the highest paid job here in Singapore. Seriously, politicians here earn alot.
Just look at our current PM Lee Hsien Loong. From the reports i gathered online it seems that he earn about S$3,870,000/yr or $322,500/mth.
So i guess a job to be considered for some. 😉
How much do a post-doctoral fellow will get per month.
I mean a research scientist from biomedical phd degree from a reputed German University.
Curious_scientist: Post-doctoral fellow and research scientist are quite different concepts at least at the place where I work 🙂 Post-doctoral fellow: from ~4.5-6.5SGD/month, research scientist: don’t know, but more.
Admin,
Would need a favor from you.
1] What would be basic package offered to a Senior Software Test Engineer(Working in one of top most reputed US Based Invest Bank having around 4 to 5 years of experience) by a market leaders like CreditSuisse or Barclays or any other?
2] What other perks they offer?
3] What is leaving expense in Singapore for a family of 3 people?
Regards,
Seema
Seema, not alot. Especially after you have shown your potential employers that you cannot even spell “living” and “investment”…
Admin,
This post is just the one that I have copied from above because I find it matching to my query.
Nevertheless I am still waiting for the answer.
Seema, should be around 15-18k/month. That should be just about enough for a family of 3. Anything below 13k and they’re probably trying to underpay you. Be careful and don’t give in too easily during negotiations.
Perks come with 48 days annual leave (including family care leave), 2 year hospitalization leave (only 16 months is paid leave), 3 years maternity leave, etc. You should re-confirm these numbers with the HR department before signing the contract.
Good luck!
dear barclays, got so much? maybe 10 years later?
buckey, think barclays is trying to tell Seema to dream on
Hey I have been offered S$4500 monthly. How much can i save monthly (I ma with my family of 3)
seema, if you are very careful and frugal, after paying for rent, etc., typically you’ll be able to save around SGD1000, assuming that your family of 3 are willing to live a very simple life (per year).
I wish to find out the standard pay for a senior nurse of 17 years experience, isn’t $3000 too low? Working in the same company for 14 years. Starting at $1500 being a registered nurse since 1992
Thanks
Hi nurses are well paid in Australia so come join the aussie experience!
Hi folks,
I am a Phd in physical chemistry from germany. Having 4 years of postdoctoral experience in europe. I am 35 yrs old and would like to know about the salary range at IMRE, singapore
(institute for materials research and engineering) for a research engineer position. Any information regarding whether I will apply for a rsearch engineer or senior research engineer position will be helpful.
Thanks
Junta
Hi everything, can someone shed somelights to a freshgradyate just started her career in banking.I m paid 3k+ for a trainee position in a foreign bank.It is supposed to be fast track career path and pretty premising future, but I m not exactly happy with where I am(huge organization+complex structure+long hours).I m thinking about something more of sales in nature(basic+commision) and flexible in working hours.Any recommendation? ( no MLM please) Many thanks!
Hello there,
can anybody tell me what is the average base salary for a Bsc (Hons) in biotechnology with 7 years of experience.
I feel that my salary is below the average, around 2.9k/mth
2.9k is too little for anyone with a degree and SEVEN years of experience. Are u working in a full time research position? Heck, even the allowance for full time PhD students is 2-3k. Buut if you’re stuck, you’re stuck. Get a better job when times are better.
To Seema: your offer is from ‘leading investment bank’? you sure 4500? x 12? sorry to probe, just want to feel the real market…
Now it’s employers’ market imagine a local listed firm thru CDC offering PMET with Pro Dip a basic pay of abt $700 to $800 max excl meagre comm of between .5-3% selling appliances.
Attn KS, even all of our MPs besides the MM, 2 SM, PM are all the Top 30 highest paid civil servants frm the world.
Hi researcher 2, thanks for your info
But do you know roughly what’s the salary range for my qualification? Or can anyone pls advice me on that?
I would say 4.5k is minimum and 5-6k is reasonable. You shoulld’ve taken advantage of the good job market 2 years ago.
Wow!! that’s a lot to me 🙂
Yea, I missed the good opportunity. Currently is quite difficult to search for a job, so I wouldn’t dare to think about high pay. I’ve been staying with the same company for 7 years and the increment is so low, I guess it would take me for about 15 years to reach that amount.
Have u been told what role u would play after your training period ends? ’cause there are various sales roles in banks..such as relationship managers, treasury sales..though the hours may not be as flexible as financial planners or property agents..
Hi all,
can someone tell me what is the average base salary for a Bsc in Electronic with 5 years of experience in PLC automation field?
transformers and terminators are the way to go! huge market making robots, $$$ too.
Hi everyone,
i have been called for an interview for a Marketing Executive position. i have no prior experience in marketing but about 3 years in another field.
i do have a degree in marketing. What would be a fair salary/salary range to ask for?
Basically you will be competing with all the fresh graduates. I suggest you lower your expectations and be prepared for a pay cut. If you are interested in the job, just tell them you really appreciate the opportunity and you will seriously consider any fair offer.
that’s wise council =)
hi, i have degree courses offers from NUS and SMU.
NUS real estate and SMU biz mgmt.
if i enrol into smu, i would like to major in finance.
what are the prospect and career advancement of studying NUS real estate (which is a rather niche market)? there are positive reviews bout the saalaries in the finance industry.
can any kind soul guide me on the real estate industry? would really appreciate any kind of constructive advices. ty!
Just enrol for SMU Biz mgmt. Don’t even think about doing real estate.. You get way more mileage in finance even though the industry seems to be ravaged currently. Finance will bounce back quicker and higher than any other industry sector ultimately ..
ty for your reply anonymous, as much as i wanted to enrol for smu, but another part of my mind tells me that i should enrol into real estate because it might be a valuable set of skill to the industry since there are only less than 150 grads from the course. whereas, there are bout 2k of biz grad every year. this is a tough decision to decide =(
Real estate industry in Singapore is highly cyclical and a rather small sector. I can’t really see much juice in that sector compared to finance.
In any case, if you are a coin toss from making your decision. Just follow your passion, you will gain more utility enjoying higher satisfaction than a few hundred dollars in a job you have no interest in.
Life isn’t all about making money..
any thoughts on IT careers in SG? what the ideal salary for an industr certified IT grad with 4 years of experience… dealing with windows servers and clients?
I think someone posted a comment here that IT consultants in MNCs make 100k a yr and upwards. I’m an IT Pro with around your experience but my pay sucks.
My feel is that unless you take on a leadership role or work in big MNCs, or have skills that few others have, your pay will just be average.
Question about postdoctral fellow salary in NTU:
I got my PhD in biology in good reputated Uni in Germany, and 2 years postdoc experience in one of the top Uni in USA. Now I got an offer from a lab in NTU with 5k S$ per month, is it reasonable price for a 2 years experienced postdoc? and is it enough to support a family (2 ppl only, no kids)?
what’s a fair offer for an IT pro moving in SG?
phd 5k onli?
Hi folks,
I am a Phd in physical chemistry from germany. Having 4 years of postdoctoral experience in europe. I am 35 yrs old and would like to know about the salary range at IMRE, singapore
(institute for materials research and engineering) for a research engineer position. Any information regarding whether I will apply for a rsearch engineer or senior research engineer position will be helpful.
Thanks
Junta
hi there
I am IT developer(associate,FID) from a top tier investment bank(GS,MS,ML..) with 3 years experience.I’d like to know the salary range here.(80k-120k?)
tell us your salary first.
enough to buy more than 300 xbox elite a year. think i play xbox is sufficient no need to study so hard for phd.
still no reply?????????????
junta, why don’t you write to IMRE directly?
up to SGD 100,000 (ex bonus). not a lot but on the up side, cost of living is much lower here compared to NY and TKY. it is also easier to mingle here as most people, sans the locals, treat this place as a big party before returning to their home country to further their careers.
Hi,
I have an experience of 6.5 years in the design and development of embedded, wireless and hardware systems with a masters degree. What is the salary I can expect for the staff design engineer offered by a wireless design firm.
Also can anybody through some light on the salary structure usually follwed here?(like bonus, base salary and CPF contributions)
thanks and regards,
SB
to Goodie:
any other comments?how about morganstanley or merrill lynch?