Money

Minimum wage and average wage

Singapore’s Minimum Wage is the lowest amount a worker can be legally paid for his work. 

Singapore has no minimum wage laws or regulations. However, two exceptions were made recently: cleaner jobs to have a minimum wage of $1,000 (€890) per month effective January 2014, and Security guards have a minimum wage of $1,100 (€979) per month effective September 2016. 

In 2021, the average salary in Singapore is about S$8,450 ($6,220/ €5,540) per month.

Minimum salary

Without a minimum wage law, there’s no mandatory minimum income for workers in the country.

However, the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore has brought in a ‘progressive wage model’ in which cleaners and security guards will receive S$1,000 ($730/€980) and S$1,100 ($804/€716) respectively.

What is a good salary in Singapore?

As of January 2021, the average salary in Singapore is $5,877 (€ 5,238) per month, inclusive of the employer’s CPF contribution

Average annual salary

The average monthly salary in Singapore depends on an employee’s experience level, field of work, job title, and education level.

It also varies drastically across sectors like IT (Information Technology), healthcare, banking, and work type (full-time or part-time).

Considering all these points, an employee working in Singapore earns a gross monthly income of S$8,450 ($6,220/€5,540).

Occupation Average salary in euros Average salary in USD:

• Nurse: $21,930 – € 19,560
• Primary teacher: $68,314 – € 60,940
• Architect: $ 85,644 – € 76,400
• Software Engineer: $57,096 – € 50,930
• UX Designer: $ 55,200 – € 49,240
• Web Developer: $36,040 – € 32,150
• Product manager: $50,880 – € 45,390

The most demanded jobs and their remuneration

Based on insight from GrabJobs, one of the leading job portals, the most in-demand jobs in Singapore in 2021 are, in one way or the other, technology-related. 

Occupation Average salary in euros Average salary in USD

• AI Specialist $ 62,136 – € 55,420
• Backend Developer $ 86,880 – € 77,490
• E-Commerce Specialist $ 36,960 – € 32,970
• Human Resource Professional  $ 50,200 – € 44,780
• Creative Copywriter $ 48,000 – € 42,810
• Helpdesk Agent $ 47,520 – € 42,390

The work culture of Singapore

Singapore is a cosmopolitan melting pot of cultures where the east meets the west. This aspect is also reflected in its work culture which is made up of a unique mix of Asian and Western cultural influences.

• With Chinese making up 74.3% of Singapore’s population, it is not uncommon to see most local firms being significantly influenced by traditional Chinese values. When it comes to relationships though, this translates into a culture of hierarchy, where people in the lower level of the hierarchy system would accept their subordinate status, and respect formal hierarchical authority
• The majority of Singaporeans and local firms practice group-centredness, that is, the traditional value of cooperation amongst group members to maintain group harmony.
• The majority of the local firms don’t actually want too many employees running around with too many crazy ideas,
• Many companies in Singapore have moved from 6 days to 5 days per week schedule. This is especially true for MNCs and companies engaged in white-collar work. Normal working hours are 40-45 hours per week.

Singaporean Work Culture: Dress Code

Although casual wear is popular, most employers still prefer smart and business casual and professional styles. As for the gentlemen, button-up shirts worn under a cardigan and paired with slacks or the classic suit and tie will never go wrong with leather shoes. As for the ladies, the usual skirts and pantsuits are always the best choice paired with collared dress shirts and heeled shoes or leather pumps.