Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Data comes from the latest annual report on Occupational Wages published by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower.
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower has just released its annual update on median salaries, covering 570 professions across nine categories:
Managers
Professionals
Associate Professionals and Technicians
Clerical Support Workers
Service & Sales Workers
Agricultural & Fishery Workers
Craftsmen & Related Trade Workers
Plant & Machine Operators and Assemblers
Cleaners, Labourers & Related Workers
The first three fall under the PMET group (Professionals, Managers, Executives & Technicians), while the rest are classified as non-PMET—and this is how we’re going to list them below. Please note, however, that while the publication is recent, the data is from 2024, as MOM compiles these detailed figures only for the previous year.
Nevertheless, not as much has changed since then, so let’s start by taking a look at the best-paid occupations in the country, which offer a median gross monthly wage of over S$10,000.
Best-paying jobs in Singapore
This year, 36 professions have made this list, solely from the two top categories: Managers and Professionals.
Interestingly, it’s not the managers who make the most, though, as the top two spots go to flying instructors and foreign exchange brokers. C-Suite directors come in only in sixth, and CEOs are down in twelfth, though it likely reflects the fact that there are more of them (since even smaller companies need a chief executive), which makes their pool larger and overall median lower.
This is worth bearing in mind as you look through the numbers, as different occupations may have far fewer or far more data points.
RankOccupationGross Monthly Median Wage1Flying instructor (except air force)S$20,0002Foreign exchange brokerS$19,7503Social service managerS$18,4554In-house legal counsel (except judiciary, ministries and statutory boards)S$17,9395Commodities trader (excluding oil and bunker)S$16,0006Chief information officer/Chief technology officer/Chief security officerS$15,2267Oil and bunker traderS$14,8968Commercial airline pilotS$13,8789Foreign exchange dealerS$13,58310Trade brokerS$13,50011University lecturerS$13,02412Strategic planning managerS$12,99113Financial risk managerS$12,92414Managing director/Chief executive officerS$12,78015Chief operating officer/General ManagerS$12,75016Energy engineerS$12,42517Ship chartererS$12,39918Financial product structurerS$12,32119ICT auditorS$12,31120Enterprise/Solution architectS$12,13721Fund/Portfolio manager (including asset allocator)S$12,06022Policy managerS$12,05323Commodities and freight derivatives brokerS$12,00024Director (stage, film, television, game, commercial, video and radio)S$12,00025Risk management managerS$11,94126Database architectS$11,15327Company directorS$11,00028Regional sales managerS$11,00029Research and development managerS$10,90130Editor (news and periodicals)S$10,80031Management consultantS$10,79732Software and applications managerS$10,77933Network, communications and infrastructure managerS$10,75034Insurance services managerS$10,46635Cyber risk specialistS$10,12036Audit managerS$10,041
As you can see, it’s a really diverse mix consisting of managerial, technical, legal and even artistic positions, from top-ranking managers and financial traders, through IT personnel and university lecturers, to film directors or news editors.
There’s a five-figure monthly job for almost everyone—and there are well-paying ones in many other occupations, too. Take a look.
Singapore salary figures by job category
Here’s the list of all 570 entries across nine categories provided by MOM, so you can see how your income ranks against the median for your job. Wages listed are for full-time employed residents only.
PMET
Managers
While managers tend to make the most money, being a manager doesn’t necessarily guarantee high pay. In some cases, it’s possible to fall under the national median of S$5,500 if working in retail, food, sports or arts. A job title doesn’t necessarily come with a big salary if the company itself isn’t bringing in much money.
OccupationGross Monthly Median WageSocial service managerS$18,455Chief information officer/Chief technology officer/Chief security officerS$15,226Strategic planning managerS$12,991Financial risk managerS$12,924Chief operating officer/General ManagerS$12,750Managing director/Chief executive officerS$12,780Policy managerS$12,053Risk management managerS$11,941Research and development managerS$10,901Network, communications and infrastructure managerS$10,750Software and applications managerS$10,779Company directorS$11,000Regional sales managerS$11,000Insurance services managerS$10,466Audit managerS$10,041Health services managerS$9,839ICT service managerS$9,503Budgeting and financial accounting manager (including financial controller)S$9,200Industrial relations managerS$9,152Quality control/assurance managerS$9,100Wholesale trade managerS$8,905Port/Shipping operations managerS$8,695Advertising/Public relations managerS$8,699Marketing managerS$8,839Merchandising/Category managerS$8,746Technical/Engineering services manager (excluding transport)S$8,684Manufacturing managerS$8,550Customer service managerS$8,474Procurement/Purchasing managerS$8,375Business development managerS$8,650Personnel/Human resource managerS$8,197Postal service managerS$7,910Financial services managerS$7,773Aged care services managerS$7,759Travel agency managerS$7,770Transport/Technical operations manager (except port/shipping operations)S$7,679Online sales channel managerS$7,614Construction managerS$7,600Production manager in agriculture and fisheriesS$6,930School principalS$6,967Security managerS$6,729Supply and distribution/Logistics/Warehousing managerS$6,625Sales managerS$7,030Premises and facilities maintenance manager (excluding building security manager)S$6,540Administration managerS$6,384Attractions managerS$6,195Community, partnership and relations managerS$6,250Media and broadcasting managerS$6,010Call centre managerS$5,968Training managerS$5,960Event managerS$5,960Pre-school education managerS$6,101Hotel operations/Lodging services managerS$4,970Food and beverage operations managerS$5,286Catering managerS$4,697Wellness centre manager (e.g. hair/beauty/slimming/spa/manicure/massage)S$5,635Arts and cultural centre manager (including gallery and museum manager)S$4,550Landscape managerS$4,300Sports centre managerS$4,895Retail managerS$4,500Restaurant managerS$4,000
Professionals
This is the largest group by the number of different occupations that fall under it. Again, despite being in the PMET category, it doesn’t guarantee great pay. Flying instructors may be pulling in a median of S$20,000, while counsellors can’t even make it to S$3,000.
OccupationGross Monthly Median WageFlying instructor (except air force)S$20,000Foreign exchange brokerS$19,750In-house legal counsel (except judiciary, ministries and statutory boards)S$17,939Commodities trader (excluding oil and bunker)S$16,000Oil and bunker traderS$14,896Commercial airline pilotS$13,878Foreign exchange dealerS$13,583Trade brokerS$13,500University lecturerS$13,024Energy engineerS$12,425Ship chartererS$12,399Financial product structurerS$12,321ICT auditorS$12,311Enterprise/Solution architectS$12,137Fund/Portfolio manager (including asset allocator)S$12,060Commodities and freight derivatives brokerS$12,000Director (stage, film, television, game, commercial, video and radio)S$12,000Database architectS$11,153Editor (news and periodicals)S$10,800Management consultantS$10,797Cyber risk specialistS$10,120Tax accountantS$9,726Business valuerS$9,708Marine superintendentS$9,600Cloud specialistS$9,583Sales professional (institutional sales of financial products)S$9,517Treasury managerS$9,405Power generation and distribution engineerS$9,131Data scientistS$9,049DermatologistS$9,035Ship broker (e.g. charter or sales & purchase)S$9,000Clinical research professionalS$8,990Software developerS$8,887Human resource consultant (excluding executive search consultant)S$8,800Environmental officer (public health)S$8,752Materials engineerS$8,643StatisticianS$8,593Automation engineer (including robotics engineer)S$8,588Service designerS$8,557Securities and finance brokerS$8,508ICT business process consultant/Business analystS$8,500VeterinarianS$8,500Business consultantS$8,469ICT sales and services professionalS$8,433Statistical officer/Data analystS$8,365BiologistS$8,352Chief engineer/Second engineer (ship)S$8,339Embedded systems engineer (including port systems engineer)S$8,085Marketing strategy/planning professionalS$8,060Financial/Investment adviser (e.g. relationship manager)S$8,000Securities and finance dealerS$7,896Interaction designerS$7,883IT infrastructure specialistS$7,881Electronics engineerS$7,861Cybersecurity architectS$7,826Security operations specialistS$7,700Business and financial project management professionalS$7,693ICT quality assurance specialistS$7,666Marine superintendent (engineer)S$7,638ActuaryS$7,572Compliance officer/Risk analyst (financial)S$7,506Financial analyst (e.g. equities analyst, credit analyst, investment research analyst)S$7,500Medical and pharmaceutical products sales professionalS$7,259Environmental officer (environmental protection)S$7,210Creative advertising professionalS$7,161Diagnostic radiologistS$7,016Market research professionalS$7,000Web and mobile applications developerS$7,000Insurance underwriterS$6,991Systems designer/analystS$6,966Instrumentation engineerS$6,945Editor (radio, television and video)S$6,909PsychiatristS$6,868Technical sales professionalS$6,850OphthalmologistS$6,804Building architectS$6,798Rolling stock engineerS$6,795Producer (stage, film, television, game, commercial, video and radio)S$6,736UrologistS$6,729Database administratorS$6,717AnaesthesiologistS$6,712Industrial and organisational psychologistS$6,706PharmacologistS$6,706LibrarianS$6,659Minister of religionS$6,637Otorhinolaryngologist/Ear, nose, throat (ENT) specialistS$6,624Industrial safety engineerS$6,602Semi-conductor engineerS$6,600Social science researcherS$6,600Emergency physicianS$6,575Air-conditioning/Refrigeration engineerS$6,503Applications/Systems programmerS$6,500Civil engineerS$6,500Procurement engineerS$6,500TranslatorS$6,456Internal medicine physicianS$6,391Revenue specialistS$6,387Polytechnic lecturerS$6,384ChemistS$6,357General practitioner/physicianS$6,335Multimedia (including games) developerS$6,331Quality control/assurance engineerS$6,310Cardiothoracic surgeonS$6,294Operations research analystS$6,292BiochemistS$6,264Production engineerS$6,251Mechanical engineerS$6,205Telecommunications engineerS$6,158Landscape architectS$6,145EconomistS$6,080Computer engineerS$6,061Media and broadcasting engineerS$6,049Aeronautical engineerS$6,046Electrical engineerS$6,000Industrial machinery and tools engineerS$6,000JournalistS$6,000Medical laboratory scientistS$5,979Obstetrician/GynaecologistS$5,965Technical writerS$5,891Orthopaedic surgeonS$5,836Medical scientistS$5,833Process engineerS$5,833PaediatricianS$5,789Medical diagnostic radiographerS$5,716Environmental engineerS$5,710Product and industrial designerS$5,710Executive search consultantS$5,709Radiation therapistS$5,629CuratorS$5,595General surgeonS$5,580Auditor (accounting)S$5,575Artistic director (stage, film, television, game and radio)S$5,500Clinical psychologistS$5,495Accountant (excluding tax accountant)S$5,494Pharmacist (patient care)S$5,466Hydrographic surveyorS$5,450Urban plannerS$5,397Biomedical engineerS$5,346Multimedia (including games) designerS$5,319Advocate/Solicitor (practising)S$5,300Digital marketing professional (e.g. online, social media, e-commerce marketing professional)S$5,300Industrial relations officerS$5,292Registered nurse and other nursing professional (e.g. clinical nurse, nurse educator, excluding enrolled nurse)S$5,276Content writerS$5,250OptometristS$5,241Research officer (non-statistical)S$5,200Policy administration professional (e.g. policy analyst)S$5,179General dental practitionerS$5,163PodiatristS$5,054Quantity surveyorS$5,040Land surveyorS$5,000Multimedia artist and animatorS$5,000Occupational health and safety professionalS$5,000Occupational therapistS$4,933Medical social workerS$4,915AudiologistS$4,884Data centre engineerS$4,863Lift engineerS$4,842Audio and video equipment engineerS$4,837PhysiotherapistS$4,814Building construction engineerS$4,800Speech therapistS$4,764Network, servers and computer systems administratorS$4,750DietitianS$4,708NutritionistS$4,684Marine engineerS$4,603Manufacturing engineerS$4,589Training and staff development professionalS$4,490Intellectual property agentS$4,464Career coach (counselling)S$4,415Social worker (general)S$4,410Counsellor (family)S$4,350Public relations/Corporate communications professionalS$4,305Traditional Chinese medicine practitionerS$4,289Food and drink technologistS$4,261Early intervention teacher for infants and childrenS$4,019AuthorS$4,000Personnel/Human resource officerS$4,000Script writer and editorS$3,945Technical/Vocational/Commercial education institute teacher and trainerS$3,800Graphic designerS$3,765Fashion designerS$3,500School counsellorS$3,497Teaching assistant/Tutor in universityS$3,400Counsellor (rehabilitation)S$2,974Counsellor (drugs and alcohol)S$2,658
Associate Professionals & Technicians
While we’re climbing down the financial ladder, lower-ranking professionals and technicians need not feel resigned to a lower salary, as some earn over S$8,000 or even S$9,000 per month. It all depends on the blend of value, skills and experience, even without the badge of a big MNC director.
OccupationGross Monthly Median WageInternational market agent/representative (e.g. junket operator)S$9,530Harbour pilotS$8,833Safety and security consultantS$8,318Environmental inspector (environmental public health)S$7,392Maintenance plannerS$6,540Information technology trainer (extracurriculum)S$6,119Insurance sales agent/broker (including independent financial planner)S$5,780Chemical engineering technician (petrochemicals)S$5,752After sales adviser/Client account service executiveS$5,620Air transport service supervisorS$5,552Video camera operatorS$5,434Computer systems operatorS$5,425Occupational health and safety inspectorS$5,403Financial markets back office administratorS$5,366Appraiser/Valuer (excluding intangible asset valuer)S$5,281SonographerS$5,200IT support technician (including IT user helpdesk technician)S$5,148PhotographerS$5,120AssessorS$5,100Marine surveyor (ship and nautical)S$5,089Audit associate professionalS$5,050Business development executiveS$5,000Chemical engineering technicianS$4,925Enrolled/Assistant nurse (excluding registered nurse)S$4,904Sports coachS$4,896Assistant electrical engineerS$4,871Chemistry technicianS$4,765Visual merchandiserS$4,736Interior designerS$4,700BuyerS$4,694Assistant electronics engineerS$4,632Legal associate professional (e.g. paralegal)S$4,557Air transport equipment project executiveS$4,555IT security technicianS$4,542Employment agent/Labour contractorS$4,522Road transport operations officerS$4,507Advertising salesmanS$4,500Clinical research coordinatorS$4,500Website administrator/WebmasterS$4,500Aeronautical engineering technicianS$4,481Semi-conductor technicianS$4,462Process engineering technicianS$4,461Marine draughtsmanS$4,400Production engineering technicianS$4,380Crewing executive (ship)S$4,377Lift technicianS$4,374OpticianS$4,357Language instructor (extracurriculum)S$4,329Civil engineering technicianS$4,310Tax associate professionalS$4,300Quality assurance technicianS$4,292Medical and pathology laboratory technicianS$4,280Private tutor (academic)S$4,250Purchasing agentS$4,240Electrical engineering technicianS$4,235Load control officer (aircraft)S$4,229Air cargo officerS$4,201Marine engineering officer (including third, fourth and fifth engineer)S$4,173Media and broadcasting operations technicianS$4,150Air-conditioning/Refrigeration engineering technicianS$4,141Architectural draughtsmanS$4,135Assistant civil and structural engineerS$4,110Logistics/Production plannerS$4,104IT Infrastructure technicianS$4,100Martial arts instructorS$4,100Electronics engineering technicianS$4,071Clearing and forwarding agentS$4,047Shipping agent/Boarding officerS$4,046Assistant manufacturing engineerS$4,002Pre-primary education teacherS$4,000Assistant mechanical engineerS$3,983Operations officer (except transport operations)S$3,969Safety inspector (vehicles, processes and products)S$3,964Kitchen operations head/supervisorS$3,949Management executiveS$3,912Assistant accountantS$3,885Premises and facilities maintenance officerS$3,875Audio and video equipment technicianS$3,869ChefS$3,850Port/Shipping operations supervisor (including post-fixture and planner)S$3,830Fire and safety inspectorS$3,810Mechanical draughtsmanS$3,800Real estate agentS$3,800Resident technical officerS$3,800Automotive engineering technicianS$3,778Flight operations officerS$3,778Manufacturing engineering technicianS$3,750Mechanical engineering technicianS$3,746Exhibition/Conference/Event planner (including wedding planner/coordinator)S$3,740Machining/Tooling technicianS$3,641Instrumentation technicianS$3,626Building technicianS$3,623Non-ordained religious associate professionalS$3,611Volunteer executiveS$3,565Medical X-ray technicianS$3,540Veterinary technician/assistantS$3,531Electrical/Electronics draughtsmanS$3,518Marketing and sales executive (food & beverage services)S$3,500Online sales channel executiveS$3,500Automation technicianS$3,449Telecommunications technicianS$3,421Land surveying technicianS$3,400Train operations officerS$3,385ParamedicS$3,375Social work associateS$3,362Landscape operations officerS$3,325Art and craft instructor (extracurriculum)S$3,300Train service supervisorS$3,272Pharmacy technicianS$3,240Merchandising/Category executiveS$3,197Community health workerS$3,103Pastry ChefS$3,034Dental technicianS$3,032Music instructor (extracurriculum)S$3,000Rolling stock engineering technicianS$2,970Library officerS$2,936Civil/Structural engineering draughtsmanS$2,819Relief teacherS$2,765Massage therapistS$2,690Athlete/SportsmanS$2,658Physical fitness instructor (including yoga instructor and aerobics instructor)S$2,550Youth work associateS$2,500
Non-PMET
With a median salary of just S$3,000, those falling outside of the PMET category are paid much less than PMETs, half of whom earn S$7,300 or more. However, even if you’re one of the clerical, sales or manufacturing workers, there are jobs available that pay considerably above the average figures.
Besides the usual foremen and supervisors, who can make well over S$7,000, senior stewards or qualified equipment installers are not far behind, and if you’re good with locks, you can apparently make almost S$10,000 as a locksmith!
Clerical Support Workers
OccupationGross Monthly Median WageMaterial planning clerkS$6,000Securities clerkS$5,972PawnbrokerS$5,192Bank operations clerkS$5,150Insurance/Underwriting clerkS$5,045SecretaryS$5,035Proofreading clerkS$5,000Statistical clerkS$4,401Payroll/Wages clerkS$4,256Legal clerkS$4,246Bill collectorS$4,073Bank tellerS$3,965Audit clerkS$3,875Money changerS$3,750Office supervisorS$3,743Travel consultant/Reservation executiveS$3,740Production planning clerkS$3,536Data processing control clerkS$3,480Ledger and accounts clerkS$3,340Shipping clerkS$3,318BookkeeperS$3,200Hotel executive (including hotel reservation and front desk executive)S$3,198Customer service officer/clerkS$3,190Air transport clerkS$3,160Contact centre information clerkS$3,150Billing clerkS$3,100Personnel/Human resource clerkS$2,950Land transport clerkS$2,909Procurement/Purchasing clerkS$2,850Medical/Dental receptionistS$2,810Typist and word processing operatorS$2,803Receptionist (general)S$2,724PostmanS$2,706Stock records clerkS$2,706Enumerator/Market research interviewerS$2,701Hotel receptionist (including hotel reservation and front desk clerk)S$2,687Passenger services agentS$2,570Telephone operatorS$2,523StorekeeperS$2,500Library clerkS$2,426Postal service counter clerkS$2,392Data entry clerkS$2,000Office clerk (including filing and copying)S$1,823
Service & Sales
OccupationGross Monthly Median WageChief stewardS$6,890Insurance investigatorS$6,125House stewardS$5,287Cage/Count supervisorS$4,484UndertakerS$4,137Slimming consultantS$4,081TelemarketerS$4,072Cabin attendant/stewardS$3,821Salesperson (door-to-door)S$3,811Hair stylist/HairdresserS$3,756Senior security supervisorS$3,720BeauticianS$3,500Housekeeping matronS$3,491Senior cook (e.g. station chef, commis cook 1, station cook)S$3,425Auxiliary police officerS$3,396EducarerS$3,391Driving instructor/testerS$3,342Security supervisorS$3,236Housekeeper (hotels and other establishments)S$3,233Sales supervisorS$3,220Senior private security officerS$3,082Nursing aide/assistantS$3,000Bookmaker/Croupier/Casino dealer and related gaming workerS$2,991Bartender/MixologistS$2,976Tour guideS$2,881Captain waiter/Waiter supervisorS$2,837Rail station service assistantS$2,810Keeper/Trainer in zoological, bird and aquatic parksS$2,803LifeguardS$2,790Private security officerS$2,748Dental aide/assistantS$2,700Child/After school care centre workerS$2,650Sales demonstratorS$2,550Teacher aideS$2,501Healthcare assistant (e.g. therapy aide/assistant)S$2,432Shop sales assistantS$2,358Petrol station attendantS$2,165Cashier (general)S$2,152ManicuristS$2,100BaristaS$2,064Cook (e.g. commis cook 2/3)S$2,028Attractions guideS$2,000Food service counter attendantS$1,939Masseur (non-medical) (including foot reflexologist)S$1,600WaiterS$1,564
Agricultural & Fishery
OccupationGross Monthly Median WageAquarium fish farm workerS$3,630Landscape and plant nursery supervisorS$2,575Gardener and horticultural workerS$1,800
Craftsmen & Related Trades
OccupationGross Monthly Median WageLocksmithS$9,443Supervisor/General foreman (metal, machinery and related trades)S$7,712Air-conditioning/Refrigeration plant installerS$6,497Lift supervisorS$4,813Supervisor/General foreman (electrical and electronic trades, excluding lift)S$4,796Supervisor/General foreman (precision, handicraft, printing and related trades)S$4,739Watch and clock assembler/repairerS$4,500Electrical lift, escalator and related equipment fitterS$4,108Underwater diverS$4,030Tool and die makerS$4,017Industrial/Office machinery mechanicS$4,012Supervisor/General foreman (food processing, woodworking, garment, leather and related trades).S$3,861Medical device assembler/repairerS$3,714Pre-press trades workerS$3,568Supervisor/General foreman (building and related trades)S$3,480Metal moulder and coremakerS$3,384Air-conditioning/Refrigeration equipment mechanicS$3,263Building maintenance workerS$3,245Welder and flame cutterS$3,050ElectricianS$3,000Machinery mechanicS$2,910CarpenterS$2,902Electrical household appliance repairerS$2,797Automotive mechanicS$2,776Butcher, fishmonger and related food preparerS$2,772Pipe fitterS$2,433Pastry and confectionery makerS$2,413JoinerS$2,411PlumberS$2,400Fumigator and other pest and weed controllerS$2,300BakerS$2,210Electrical fitterS$2,200Tailor/DressmakerS$2,098Building painterS$1,600Floor/Wall tilerS$1,600
Plant & Machine Operators and Assemblers
OccupationGross Monthly Median WageSupervisor/General foreman of assemblers and quality checkersS$5,775Crane/Hoist operator (excluding port)S$4,979Stationary plant and machine supervisor/general foremanS$4,705Metal heat treating plant operatorS$4,652Mechanical products quality checker and testerS$4,354Waste truck driver (including hooklift trucks with roll-on containers)S$4,140Bus driverS$3,782Precision grinding machine setter-operatorS$3,227Crane operator (on-site)S$3,117Excavating/Trench digging machine operatorS$3,098Airport mobile equipment operatorS$3,081Trailer-truck driver (including prime mover driver)S$2,860Metalworking machine setter-operatorS$2,809Train operatorS$2,774ChauffeurS$2,743Port limit helmsman/steersman/engine driver/tugmasterS$2,683Metal melter, caster and rolling mill operatorS$2,671Concrete mix truck driverS$2,666Dairy and confectionery products machine operatorS$2,553Mobile machinery supervisor and general foremanS$2,522Fork lift truck operatorS$2,500Ambulance driverS$2,386Parking valetS$2,372Sewing machine operatorS$2,267Printing machine operatorS$2,229Lorry driverS$2,159Van driverS$2,147Packing/Bottling/Labelling machine operatorS$2,101Mechanical equipment/component assemblerS$2,084Motorcycle delivery manS$2,080Electronic equipment/component assemblerS$2,017Delivery man using motorised personal mobility aids/devicesS$1,985Deckhand (including lighterman)S$1,740Laundry and dry cleaning worker (machine, non-household)S$1,560
Cleaners, Labourers & Related
OccupationGross Monthly Median WageAircraft loader (e.g. airport baggage/cargo handler)S$3,216Car park attendantS$3,126Concierge (hotel)S$3,002Sports and recreational attendant (e.g. golf marshal, golf caddie, fun fair attendant, bowling alley attendant, swimming pool attendant)S$2,980Laboratory attendantS$2,651Vehicle attendantS$2,620Building caretaker/WatchmanS$2,564Lashing workerS$2,554DoormanS$2,534Hospital/Clinic attendantS$2,459Warehouse workerS$2,458Bell captainS$2,427Office, commercial and industrial establishments multi-skilled cleaner cum machine operatorS$2,270Bellboy/Hotel porterS$2,255MoverS$2,223Cleaning supervisorS$2,210Office/Library attendantS$2,118Waste recycling sorterS$2,110Hotel cleanerS$2,019Housekeeping/Linen room attendantS$1,950Office, commercial and industrial establishments outdoor cleanerS$1,942Tree worker/technicianS$1,921Fast food preparerS$1,854Landscape workerS$1,800General waste collection, recycling and material recovery workerS$1,750Residential and open areas general cleanerS$1,750Tea server/steward (excluding bartender, barista and food/drink stall assistant)S$1,725Porter (except hotel)S$1,712Motor vehicle cleaner/polisherS$1,700DishwasherS$1,684Table-top cleanerS$1,670Office, commercial and industrial establishments indoor cleanerS$1,642Food/Drink stall assistantS$1,638Food and beverage establishments general cleanerS$1,600Hand launderer/presser (non-household)S$1,600Hand packerS$1,600Kitchen assistantS$1,600Leaflet and newspaper distributor/delivererS$1,600Odd job personS$1,600Civil engineering/Building construction labourerS$1,550Bus attendantS$1,400
Skills and responsibility pay
The list largely confirms what we all well know—that your pay increases either with skill or responsibility. Usually, the latter follows the former, and as you’re getting better at the essence of your job, you’re given more responsibility, climbing up to supervisory or managerial roles.
This is true for non-PMET positions as well, where senior personnel can see earnings approach their degree-bearing peers in the white-collar corporate world.
And it might become a broader trend in the future, if AI begins to threaten the most lucrative jobs, which are more easily automated with software, as observed by this Belgian recruitment company two years ago:
Image Credit: The Work by Ascential
It’s going to be interesting to watch and compare MOM’s future releases for signs of it happening in Singapore in the coming years.
Read other articles we’ve written on Singapore’s current affairs here.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock
