Singapore Expats Forum
Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for
Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore

jpatokal · Last edited by jpatokal on Wed Aug 23, 2006 5:04 pm; edited 1 time in total

The single most frequently asked question on SingaporeExpats: is my salary/offer good enough?

Here is the best quick answer:
http://www.kellyservices.com.sg/web/sg/services/en/pages/salaryguide.html

As even more generic rules of thumb, the average middle-class skilled professional in Singapore makes around S$3000-3500 per month. An expat with a special skill set and/or experience should generally expect to make more, while entry level positions pay less. Due to the laws of supply and demand, perceived prestige and, yes, racism, Caucasians tend to get paid comparatively more, while Indians and Filipinos tend to get paid comparatively less.

edited 31/12/2010 to use current survey link - sms

givenchy · Guest

the average middle-class skilled professional's salary should ranges from 4000-6000 bah?

but I know may ppl earn a lot of money each month, because they have their own business, they are self-empolyed.

jpatokal · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 8:26 pm Post subject:

The authoritative source for data is SingStat's Household Income report for 2000:

http://www.singstat.gov.sg/papers/c2000/adr-hhinc.pdf

Unfortunately they analyse data per household, not per person, but we can still glean that median household income in households with at least one university grad is $7929, and with at least one poly grad $5324. If I pull a figure out a hat and assume that on average the skilled person gets 100% more than the nonskilled person, then we get $5300 and $3500 respectively as the median incomes for uni/poly level skills.

jenche · Guest

Does the Expat package usually include housing or is it usually a flat salary?

Guest · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:10 am Post subject:

I went to the Ministry of Statistics (or something like that) and saw that median Database Administrator salary is only 3,000. Surely that is inaccurate?

riversandlakes · Reporter Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 903 Location: Simei

Well, the nearest job category for me seems pretty accurate. I'm smacked right in the median:

Total Cash Package 44,013 67,729 115,338 75,891
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Guest · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 12:46 pm Post subject:

what is the average people makes in singapore annually? $50,000?

Vaucluse · Director Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 3368

Strong Eagle · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 1:24 pm Post subject:

riversandlakes · Reporter Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 903 Location: Simei

I bought the 5D and 6D and didn't win them Crying or Very sad

riversandlakes · Reporter Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 903 Location: Simei

are you talking about per capita here Very Happy

smithy · Newbie Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 2

aitokyo · Newbie Joined: 04 Mar 2005 Posts: 3

Hello,

I just got an offer of roughly S$ 180,000 /annum gross salary with local package. I am married with 4 kids. Do you think the offer is good enough for me ?
And how much is the tax in Singapore ? How much would be my net salary after tax ?

Thanks.

Pkchukiss · Newbie Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 12 Location: Singapore

Jeffery Duncan · Newbie Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 2 Location: home office

Is 5100 dollars Sing a good monthly salary for a manufactureing manager job? Keep in mind I have 2 school age kids. Any advice is appriciated.

riversandlakes · Reporter Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 903 Location: Simei

that's so little. i'm NOT (yet) a manager and i make more than that Surprised

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Goatboy will always cherish his former goatgirl.
But the world is full of fluffier ones.

iznogud · Newbie Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Singapore

Hi, I am a fully qualified Spanish architect working as a project manager in Spain with 4 years experience. I'm planning to move to Singapore by january/febreuary. Does anybody how difficult it is to find a job in this sector for a person like me? could you let me know of good construction companies I shoukd apply for in Singapore? does anybody also know what my salary (on an annual basis) should be?
I am now earning aboout S$70000 a year in Spain.
Any other tips will be welcome, thanks a lot.

hei guess what · Chatter Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 352

You will need to register first before you can practice, so you better go about getting registered first.

http://www.boa.gov.sg/registration.html

Do check out the following links as well:

http://www.boa.gov.sg/sites.html

Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA)
http://www.sia.org.sg/

http://dir.bca.gov.sg/bca/AdvSearchList.asp?actual_pg=1&ListAbsolutePage=1

woofwoof · Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 4

What are the differences between a local and expat package? I'm led to believe that an expat package is one with housing (or other) allowance. What about CPF? Does the company pay CPF to an expat?

I'm currently earning AUD$120k p.a. in Melbourne, Australia. I'm still trying to work out what is an appropriate remuneration package I should seek. I know it's also a question of supply & demand but let's just say I have the advantage and the company is seeking my services. However, I do not wish to price myself to high and drop out of contention.

bunty · Reporter Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 632 Location: SG

Would SGD 100K+ cash package be considered on the higher side.....

cheers

dinki di · Newbie Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Posts: 7

Hi

I am from Australia and have found that in my profession, we get paid much better here than in Australia but only when you get to the senior ranks. Plus the tax rates here are so much friendlier! So by moving here with my job, I have almost doubled my take-home pay - taking into account taxes and forex exposure.

Cars cost a fair bit here though ... even taking out a long term lease on one is quite onerous. Eating out is expensive here as well - apart from hawker fare.

Also it may be worthwile to seek to hedge your forex exposure as well.

sometimesbe · Guest

sometimesbe · Guest

jacebreen · Newbie Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 16

To woofwoof,

all the aussies working for my husband are earning the same amount as what they would be getting back home. The draw for them is the lower cost of living and the much lower tax. On average, someone earning 100K should be paying about 9-13% tax. Also, when you start work here, there's no PAYE. Some companies may insist on keeping a sum of money for the tax. Once you get a tax statement (that for the previous year you have worked), you can arrange to pay it off monthly by direct bank debit or via your credit card.

You can ask for the same amount in salary, 2K for housing (1K more if you have kids) and 1K for transport, min 1 flight home yearly and medical.

Expats do not have to pay CPF, only Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.

BuLB · Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:29 pm Post subject:

Hello am planning togo to Singapore and find a work there.I am a filipino 28 yrs old single and have an IT Background (Asst. hardware Administrator) most likely my experience is on computer hardware repairs and networking and in software am doing a simple to middle level dynamic website

what can you advice?
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ethanhawke · Newbie Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

My advice is - there are too many IT people in Singapore. So if you come here, expect to scrap the bottom of the can like the rest of ordinary Sgporeans.

Chen · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1

Just secured a position with a bank for S$140k p.a. I'm currently a singapore citizen living in US (green card). Single. What do u think of the package would it be sufficient taking into account daily expenses. Worried abt being double taxed but in US and Singapore. I've been on the irs web site for some taxation facts but wanted to hear any one who is in a similar situation for advice. Thank you in advance.

tuono · Newbie Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 2

Kongster · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 10

Congrats to u chen~~!!

IndianCA · Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 15

Hey guys,

Can you suggest what should be pay package of a 4 years experience Chartered Acountant from India in Compliance role in Bank at Singapore.

Thanks,
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Singapore Expats Forum Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore

Singapore Expats Forum
Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for
Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore