Job in Singapore: 6 Facts You Need to Know
No matter what stage of your career you are in, if you are looking for a job, it is stressful. It's even worse if it's your first job! If you are a new graduate and don't know where to start, let's first look at the average salary in Singapore and other important things to look out for.
1# What is the average salary in Singapore?
What is the market price? If you already have a job opening and want to know if you are getting a fair deal, you can first see what the average salary is in Singapore. These are the statistics for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (2017).
| Popular jobs | Average salary in Singapore (Median) | Salary range (Gross, 25th – 75th percentile) |
| Computer technician (including IT user helpdesk technician) | $2,800 | $2,250 to $3,547 |
| Graphic designer | $3,000 | $2,550 to $3,749 |
| Public relations / Corporate communications professional | $3,500 | $2,990 to $4,181 |
| Psychologist | $3,828 | $3,445 to $4,415 |
| Auditor (accounting) | $3,400 | $3,100 to $4,300 |
| Pharmacist | $4,347 | $3,710 to $5,637 |
| Registered nurse and other nursing professional (e.g. clinical nurse, nurse educator, excl enrolled nurse) | $3,803 | $3,100 to $4,792 |
| Journalist | $3,483 | $3,070 to $4,757 |
| Technical sales professional | $4,098 | $3,452 to $5,184 |
| Mechanical engineer | $4,640 | $3,770 to $5,533 |
| Accountant (excl tax accountant) | $4,797 | $4,108 to $5,734 |
| Real estate agent (Note: 2016’s statistics) | $4,980 | $4,500 to $6,200 |
| Industrial and production engineer | $4,650 | $3,906 to $5,638 |
| Financial / Investment advisor (e.g. relationship manager) (Note: 2016’s statistics) | $5,287 | $3,610 to $8,950 |
| Electronics engineer | $5,300 | $4,140 to $6,600 |
| Management and business consultant | $5,933 | $4,358 to $9,000 |
| Systems analyst | $5,640 | $4,350 to $7,316 |
| Civil engineer | $5,175 | $4,018 to $6,650 |
| Data scientist (Note: 2016’s statistics) | $6,279 | $5,505 to $7,836 |
| Human resource consultant (excl executive search consultant) | $5,900 | $4,600 to $7,866 |
| Compliance officer / Risk analyst (financial) | $8,100 | $5,340 to $12,480 |
If the job you are looking for is not there, you can view it on the MOM website.
Some people think that "this is only my first job", but in reality, your starting salary can really be the basis for your career. Of course, it is not an all-and-one-all situation, and if you fall below market wage, that does not mean that you are doomed to life-long poverty.
However, it is important to note that many companies make offers based on your last recorded salary (eg 15% increase on your previous salary), so it will be harder to negotiate a pay raise. Choosing the right industry is also important because if you decide to switch halfway through, you must be willing to "reset" to get a starting salary (unless it is a related field with transferable skills).
2 # What is the MOM leave policy?
The MOM annual leave minimum is actually determined by how many years you have been employed by the employer. For fresh gradients, this is 7 days. For 2 to 8 years and older, it is 8 to 14 days respectively. That is really low, and most companies offer much more than the absolute minimum (yes, no lowballers!). Many SMEs and startups offer 12 to 14 days, while larger employers such as the government and multinationals (MNCs) can offer decent packages of 18 to 21 days of leave per year.
In addition to annual leave, there is also medical leave. Most companies pay 14 days of sick leave per year, but we've heard from companies that offer more. Hospital leave usually lasts 60 days and usually includes the days taken for regular outpatient sick leave.
Some companies also give compassionate leave (when a family member dies), marriage leave, parental leave and more.
3 # Is there a MOM cancellation period?
Actually yes. The notice period is the amount of notice that you must give your employer if you want to stop. Although no one is looking for jobs with the thought of leaving, it is just good information to keep in mind in case you decide that the job is not for you.
The minimum is 1 day for those who work less than 26 weeks, but it is rarely as flexible. It is usually a lot shorter during the probationary period (usually less than a week), and once you are confirmed, it is usually 1 to 2 months for typical entry jobs.
The termination clause works both ways and most of the time, if the decision to fire you, the company has to pay the salary of 1 or 2 months. More information about the MOM policy for the cancellation period.
4 # Singapore holidays, off-in-lieu and working hours
In Singapore, most companies follow a 5-day working week, but some have to work at the weekend. This depends on the industry and is usually for shift work. According to labour laws, if a public holiday falls on a non-working day (usually Saturday, because those who fall on Sunday are automatically declared a holiday the next day), the company is required to pay you back with a day off or a daily wage.
Also, check whether you are entitled to overtime. Most jobs do not pay OT, but you can check here whether you are eligible for MOM.
5 # Travel distance & transport
I personally worked in an office 32 km from my house - to put things in perspective, that's like Jurong to Changi - and it was hell. Unless you are a stimulating bunny with unlimited energy, long travel times are likely to have a negative impact on your health. Taking the bus and train to the opposite ends of Singapore also means an increase in transportation costs.
For example, taking a train from Jurong East MRT to Raffles Place MRT (the CBD area) is $ 1.53. It costs $ 1.89 to go all the way to Expo MRT (where Changi Business Park is). That's $ 7.92 more per month! Let's not even start with taxi rates ...
6 # Dress code
Depending on the industry you may need to buy some new clothes for your new job. For most jobs you don't have to adjust every day, but you still need to be in business or business casual wear.
For men, you need to pick up work shirts, pants, and shoes, which can easily cost you more than $ 100 for a whole set. It's milder for women, and you can usually get away with a not-so-casual dress (avoid jersey cotton!) From blog shops.
7 # Daily meals
When you start working, you must have at least one meal outside, and that is lunch. If your potential workplace is on an Ulu industrial estate with nothing but Hawker centres, you probably won't spend much on meals. If it is near shopping centres and chic eateries, those are huge costs to consider. To spend a lot of meals, many young (and blind) employees receive food subscriptions or meal preparation.
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