(9 August 2009 – See the 2009 edition of this list.)
This is the 2008 edition of my annual list of the top 100 jobs in terms of pay (see last year’s edition).
This list is compiled based on data from MOM Occupational Wages Survey, which is published as part of the Report on Wages in Singapore 2007.
As with previous years, the MOM survey does not capture performance bonuses, profit sharing and stock options.
To generate the list, I looked at the third-quartile monthly gross wages of the selected jobs published. 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:
- Specialised surgeon – $30,755
- Managing director – $24,472
- General surgeon – $17,872
- Commodities futures broker – $17,464
- General manager – $16,667
- Company director – $15,513
- Creative director (Advertising) – $13,000
- Legal service manager – $12,318
- Foreign exchange dealer and broker – $11,095
- Operations manager (Finance) – $9,808
- Legal officer – $9,790
- Risk management manager – $9,600
- Research and development manager – $9,385
- Computer operations and network manager – $9,300
- Training manager – $9,000
- Computer and information systems manager – $8,930
- Ship-master – $8,671
- Technical manager – $8,595
- Financial futures dealer and broker – $8,447
- Personnel / Human resource manager – $8,420
- Business development manager – $8,290
- Corporate planning manager – $8,290
- Fund manager – $8,125
- Treasury manager – $8,079
- Budgeting and financial accounting manager – $8,000
- Marketing manager – $8,000
- Power generation and distribution engineer – $7,848
- Engineering manager – $7,819
- Chemical engineer (Petroleum) – $7,678
- Manufacturing plant and production manager – $7,645
- Chemical engineer (Petrochemicals) – $7,547
- Advertising and public relations manager – $7,533
- Advocate and solicitor – $7,500
- Operations research analyst – $7,500
- Business management consultant – $7,437
- Procurement manager – $7,416
- Lawyer (except advocate and solicitor) – $7,400
- Quality assurance manager – $7,263
- Customer service manager – $7,142
- Sales manager – $7,100
- Logistics manager – $7,050
- Operations manager (Commerce) – $6,862
- Chemical engineering technician (Petroleum) – $6,696
- Automation engineer – $6,680
- Instrumentation engineer – $6,616
- Book editor – $6,538
- Surveyor – $6,523
- Industrial health, safety and environment engineer – $6,503
- Building architect – $6,500
- Transport operations manager – $6,400
- Editor (Newspapers and periodicals) – $6,369
- Marine superintendent engineer – $6,340
- Audio and video equipment engineer – $6,307
- Premises maintenance manager – $6,304
- Personal banker – $6,250
- Chemist – $6,241
- Electrical engineering technician (High voltage) – $6,225
- Business analyst – $6,205
- General physician – $6,173
- Administration manager – $6,150
- Financial analyst – $6,000
- Securities dealer and broker – $5,750
- Shipping manager – $5,721
- Building and construction project manager – $5,720
- Property / Estate manager – $5,715
- Physicist – $5,700
- Editor (Radio, television and video) – $5,658
- Information technology security specialist – $5,646
- Advertising copywriter – $5,600
- Director (Stage, film, television and radio) – $5,512
- Automotive engineer – $5,500
- Naval architect – $5,480
- Chemical engineering technician (Petrochemicals) – $5,424
- Chinese physician – $5,316
- Financial planner – $5,283
- Aeronautical engineer – $5,242
- Chemical engineer (General) – $5,187
- Broadcasting operations technician – $5,178
- Market research analyst – $5,174
- Producer / Director of commercials – $5,150
- Manufacturing engineer – $5,137
- Systems programmer – $5,111
- Actuary – $5,100
- Production engineer – $5,091
- Sales representative (Technicial) – $5,089
- Database administrator – $5,080
- Semi-conductor engineer – $5,035
- Mechanical engineer – $5,000
- Ship rigger – $4,933
- Systems designer and analyst – $4,914
- Network systems and data communication analyst – $4,894
- Sales representative (Medical and pharmaceutical products) – $4,857
- Flight operations officer – $4,801
- Civil engineer – $4,746
- Script writer – $4,740
- Warehousing manager – $4,706
- Materials engineer – $4,689
- Electrical engineer – $4,665
- Credit analyst – $4,631
- Electronics engineer – $4,615
297 Comments
Hi, can anyone here advise how much would a Business Development Director for companies in fashion apparel get?
Bunkering clerk is indeed earning around 100k per month. They are not listed because the money they earned are from corruption. Seen so many clerks driving LUXURY cars and surveyors driving Bimmers… Think about it… =)
Well Qster, there are many jobs in the world that can earn tons of money through crime and corruption, including corporate procurement directors and Somalian pirates. We are talking about decent jobs here, jobs that won’t land you with a life sentence or capital punishment….think about it.
maybe he’s one of them? ^^
Hey christine, don’t get offended. I’m just enlightening you and there are such jobs with these pays. Good day guys.
Hey Christine, i agree with Qstero. There are many many normal decent jobs that pay such salary. And many of them are in only their 30s. and many of these jobs are not even bank related. For eg, my cousin (32 yrs old) who is doing sales (won’t specify wat) is earning more than 20k per month every month for the past 2 years. He just bought a brand new BMW 6 series.
No need to enlighten us with anything. Because opinions are cheap and freely given out, unless validated. Substantiate with facts, please.
For e.g. I also know a person (won’t specify who) who is working (won’t specify where) earning a lot (won’t specify how much), and he just bought something (won’t specify what).
Good day folks.
To high flyer, this is in a way a sort of forum. Of coz i am not going to list names of people or companies or salaries of specific positions. I am just telling you what i know. So you can choose to believe what i say in this forum or believe i am talking rubbish. How do you want me to validate? Scan someone payslip and post it here? or say something like ” I know a person who is working in citibank who is a manager who is earning 20k and he bought a BMW 7 series” I have specified everything. Is this validation? Or is this just something that i know?
ladies and gentlemen,
do you guys know whether it is better to work as a chemical engineer or on finance careers?
I am currently studying in chemical engineering now in polytechnic, but I hope to know more then maybe I can get to change to finance side in University.
Regards.
dorothea, you claimed that you studied medicine to help people. But the thoughts that you penned do not suggest so. I think some of us are pretty sick of trying too hard to defend professions like doctors and engineers. Salary wise, you may not match some of your friends working in banks etc. But at least for myself, I respect doctors more than bankers. I don’t really hold people who work only for the money in high regards. Not trying to say that money is not important. But I sincerely think that if you are really good, you ll excel in any profession. But I think it is not right to jump the sequence and think about which profession will give you the most money instead of first thinking what you are good at and how can you contribute to the society. I like to use the example of driving on the road. I drive a picanto. And on the road, I’ve met many luxurious cars drivers who behave very snobbishly and have no regards for the safety of others. But to me, it doesn’t matter. I don’t give a damn to whether you are driving an audi or merc. If I’ve the right of way, I ll change lane or do whatever I should be doing. Don’t expect me to be a coward and submit to your ridiculous and reckless driving. Coz if you were to really bump into my back etc, be prepared to pay for the damage or face the judgement of law. My advice is: Be yourself and do what is right. Don’t be swayed by others just because you hear how much Tom or Dick is earning in the banks. Btw, hope that you know that most of the major financial institutions are in deep shit. A good reflection of their wonderful management abilities. 😀
Well Nick,in as much as you have a point there,there’s the reality that salary has to commensurate with the amount of work put into getting the degree. At the end of the end the person wants to be recognised for his efforts(and talent in this case),be it through a fat pay cheque for instance.There is only so long that a passion can be sustained. It is a romantic fallacy to expect every medical student to be medicine sans frontieres material.Thankfully,the scope of her job is as such,regardless of her private intentions,under her,lives will still be saved and the ill will continue to be treated.
And we cannot undervalue that.
P/S,I must admit that the career path that Dorothea has conceived is rather vicious(although not very alarming),ie,how to get to the top of the ladder within the shortest amount of time.
As he was ambitious, I slew him(Brutus,Julius Caesar Scene II)
Let us not slew the societal good derived in our pursuit of self righteousness.
Nil Sine Labore
Hi cn u please tell me wht are scopes of dentist in Singapore.. I have a yr experience & dentist fmr india.. wht are scopes & hw easy to fidn a job??
hello,
I’m s/w engineer + MBA + 5+ year experience in IT dev and consulting. How much can i expect in IT consulting/sales roles?
i am planning to move to singapore and in the process of applying for jobs.
Dr Pooja,
Scopes are what medical doctors hang around their necks to look important. Unfortunately I believe dentists do not use scopes. Maybe scalers, drills, chisels, forceps, but not scopes. Hope this answers your question.
regards
A
Re: 80 “Just wanted your expert opinion. I am looking for job opps in Pharmaceutical Companies.
I am a Phd in Medicinal Chemistry.
I wonder what pay-package I should expect and what are the opportunities?”
Someone suggested 4-5k. I think this is too low. Postdocs in state research institute are earning salaries in that range (sometimes more), and pharmas will of course typically pay much more, which is also the case for several people who quit our place to go to a Big Pharma co. Also, medicinal chemistry is a pretty good speciality for pharma companies. Aim higher than 4-5k.
huh? Where is pilot?
hey! I am considering whether to take on a bioengineering course or business accounting course in university. Which of the above will have a better job prospect/ higher salary? Anyone can share some insights on this? Thanks!
Cheers
thomas, take accounting. read this:
http://www.salary.sg/2008/engineering-and-technology-careers-are-not-valued-singapore-is-high-cost-low-tech/
nothing against engineering, just that it’s just not worth it to be an engineer in singapore.
or, take engineering but get a sales or management job in an engineering firm.
don’t ever be an engineer in singapore.
and always ignore those hypes, eg life sciences in recent years (heard anything about it lately?), civil engineering and electronics in the last decade or two.
Hi, ex-engineer,
Thanks a lot! let’s say if i were to take up business accounting,can you name a few specific areas i can venture into which will provide a bright future?
join the big 4 accounting firms and work your way up (or is it now 3 or 2?). Much brighter future than the always-lowly engineers in singapore.
hi guys, anyone can advise how much a marketing manager with 5 years experience can get?
i have experience in marketing of consumer products (Daikin) and i am looking at similar portfolio of work.
Pls advise anyone?
Thanks
Freddy
I currently work as a marketing manager, and earn $5700 per month. I am 26 this year and have 3 years working experience. Am I doing ok?
oinks, i think they overpay you. it will be extremely hard for you to get another job after getting the sack. maybe you should offer to cut your pay so that (1) you won’t be retrenched and (2) you can get a better paying job after leaving. for a marketing manager with only 3 years, i would say $2500 is reasonable.
Are you basing it on the old theme, older is better formula? It was a general question and I genuinely was looking for a factual answer, hence a simple yes or no would suffice. So pussycat, stick to your 2500 = 3 years experience theme, whilst I bask in my 5700 salary. The world is unfair I know, but you can always be a little less pathethic. Nontheless, your input is still appreciated, because some people are born with class, and others, well, they’re just the others.
Pig: If you wanted a factual answer, ask a factual question. There is no Yes and No answer. I know of 26 year old lawyers making three times your salary and I also know of 32 year old programmers making half what you’re making. So what’s your point here? I seriously wonder who’s the pathetic one here, especially if you need validation from an online forum as to whether you were doing ok or not.
Dear Anonymous, I am certain you neither fall into the 26 year old lawyer category nor make half as much as the 32 year old programmer. You probably need more validation than me, since you decided my query equated to a need for validation. Am I doing ok? It is easier to say yes or no without the need for these endless monologues which we are engaging in. Hence, Anonymous, seek an identity and try to live it. For at least the pig, it oinks.
Pig: At least you’re right on one count, that is I don’t fall into either category. And I don’t make what you make. But it’s not about me, isn’t it? If you need constant reassurance that you’re doing ok, you’re probably NOT doing ok. If you can be happy with what you have, the absolute amount you make doesn’t really matter anymore.
Pig: Please don’t be another Ronaldo. You are starting to be irritating
One single question is a constant reassurance?
People on this forum are really touchy and on edge about everything, eh’. Anonymous, it was never about you, it was all about ME, since I asked the single question, didn’t I, untill you decided to spew at it with your anecdotes. Who cares about you?
The way I look at it, I asked what I did, only because, I wanted to know where I stand. At the end of the day, you said your piece and I said mine. Truce, its Christmas, for pete’s sake.
Now, as for sugar, you can always CHOOSE NOT to read any of my replies. This my dear is freedom of choice. I cannot be another Ronaldo, because I am a mere female whom refuses to be stepped down by commoners whom are old fad with their measuring of my abilities in correspondence to my experience.
oinks…u sound like ronaldo…
even if u are not…my word of advice…some things change, some things dun.
man fall with their pride and greed.
as for you package, yes u are doing quite well nowhere near the bottom nowhere near the top either.
Thank you adiemuso. That ia all I needed to know. Alas, someone speaks with sense.
“Alas”? Why are you saddened with somebody speaking sense?
For the fact that it took senseless monologues for a sensible person to be discovered.
i am only 28 (almost) and my pay is approx. $15,000.
$12,000 basic + commissions of approx 2-3K + ENT of 1K.
Am I doing ok for a 28 years old?
Let me know anyone?
I think my pay is low becoz i have frens in advertising earning >$15K to 20K though they are about 30-33 years old.
Anyone like to share their opinions?
Ron
ronaldo..u r doing good..but more good if you can do more charity..good if you have done..but theres always room for more..for a start try not to flaunt during bad times..it helps..
btw..u n oinks make a good pair..the phrasing are about identical..perhaps long lost twins?
Oink”
December 15th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Am I doing ok?”
Ron”
December 16th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Am I doing ok for a 28 years old?”
I see the similarity, but I am sure we are miles apart. For starters, I would not be ignorant enough to ask anybody, if a 28 year old whom makes 15k monthly is doing ok?
Infact, I would not even be on a forum, but I don’t.
Ronaldo, you know you are doing good and it seems mildly insane-like for you to answer your own questions.
“I think my pay is low becoz i have frens in advertising earning >$15K to 20K though they are about 30-33 years old.”
Henceforth, Ronaldo, since you earn that much, you may stuff it in everyone’s arse cracks for all I care, but please on a cyber platform, where faces are masked and personalities are determined by monologues, I am sure we all have better things to do.
And I hope to God, you do.
This link should be helpful to decide if you’re doing OK or not: http://www.salary.sg/2008/compare-your-annual-salary-2008/
Last time I remember there’s a post that allows you to compare yourself to the people in your age group as well, but I can’t find it for some reason, and I don’t think there’s a 2008 version. Admin?
don’t be hating,this forum was supposed to just be frivolous indulgence, was it?
Hi Everyone.
I’m currently hoping to pursue a degree and a career in Law, specialising in Criminal Law.
I’m interested to know how much is the pay range of a fresh graduate and a newbie in the Law sector in Singapore.
Your help will definitely be appreciated.
Thanks!
my understanding has it that a top pupil (dean’s list material) at a big4 law firm pulls about 7.2k.
An average pupil (second class) would draw about $3.5 to $4.5.
comments anyone?
5m10y, are you referring to this one:
http://www.salary.sg/2008/compare-your-income-by-age-gender/
Thank you admin! That’s the one 🙂
the truth! Says:
October 20th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Is this for starting salary? or average? or what? There can never be a sensible list of these things because the field is so wide.
Managing Director? This is so vague. MNC? SME? Investment bank? Private bank? MD of hospital? Law firm? Hawker Centre MD? What?????
Doctor starting pay working in govt hospital pulling barely $4,000-5,000/month.
Lawyer starting pay for A&G is already $7,000/month. This is for fresh lawyer who just passed the Bar, at most 22, 23 y.o.
A&G lawyer at 30 years old is already earning average $300k a year, medical specialist in govt practice at 30 years old still under $10,000/month ($120,000 pa), half of lawyer.
After that, if make equity partner (profit share), income can shoot up to $700k a year. Lucien Wong makes how many frigging million a year? And he is Managing Director.
THIS IS TOTAL RUBBISH. Lawyers in A&G don’t get this sort of starting pay.
Hey rueben!
Thanks for the information 🙂
I’ll have to work very hard ^^
I’d have to also.I will see you if you’re reading law at nus next year, cheers.
Just wonder why Principal Investigator in UNI was not in the list.. I think their starting is 8k.. and when they worked for 5-10 years, the range can from 10-20k per month. I think there are still lots of professional jobs missed out in this statistic.
you might want to note that president or minister are also not included.
Have ourselves a MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS.. 🙂
I GOT MY 13TH MONTH AWS + JUST CONFIRMED FROM MY BOSSES MY 2 MONTH BONUSES ..
🙁 though i was expecting 3 months additional bonuses, 2 months should work just as well ..
You got your raise to 15k or not? Or still 12k?
Hi people, I will be graduating next semester and would am interested to know how much is the starting pay for a fresh grad with honours in chemistry? i heard that in the research field, honours degree is not enough.. what is the max salary an honours graduate can draw after working for many years?