Average salaries in Singapore

[aamkhao]

[quote="Chen"]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.[/quote]

I am not a Singapore Citizen, but also got a job in Singapore in the general vicinity of the number you are at. I have a US permanent and am married to an American. So when doing some research here are some things that I found:

1) It is illegal to give up your green card/Permanent Resident status in the US to avoid US taxation.
2) There are no double taxation treaties with Singapore and the US.
3) The first 87K U.S. of your salary is tax free. This is the case for anyone paying US taxes making a living overseas.
4) After the 87K, you should have about 20K that you will need to pay taxes to the IRS on. HOWEVER: Keep the following in mind:

1-- Any rent you pay in Singapore above 13KUS annually is tax deductable.., so if your annual rent is 15K your taxable income is now 18K US.
2-- If you have any other deductions in the US, like a dependant, tax deductable expenses etc etc etc, you will be to deduct all of that from the US tax.

It is quite conceivable that you may not have to pay any taxes in the US at all!

Now REMEMBER that I AM NOT A TAX PROFESSIONAL and have just done some research on this matter, so PLEASE DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, rather CONSULT A TAX professional/Accountant to get details.

Hope this helps you find answers, as well as any other green Card holder/US citizen looking to move to Singapore.

[EddieH]

Hi All

Just wondering if anyone has any idea what level of salary a Tax Manager in a Big 4 accounting firm could expect? Let's say 6-7 years experience and in the UK an expected salary of maybe Stg£65k.

[duchanh_vu]

Im Vietnamese, female, 30 and have 8years working experience most refer to accounting and financial industry. I have a Vietnam master degree in Finance. I was thinking about looking for a job in Singapore.

Could you please tell me how much is average salary for an analyst in financial industry (in investment banks or securities companies) is it easy to find that kind of job in Singapore with vietnamese person?


all your advice are highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance,
Hanh

[tintin123]

Greetings,

I read through most of the posts here and they seem to be pertaining only to the Banking or IT Industry.

I have a PhD from the US in semiconductors and have been offered a position ("Senior Engineer") in a semiconductor company in Singapore. The work involves research and such and is not a mere process/fab job. I believe the HR will get back to me with the offer in a couple of days. What is the number that I should be shooting for?

I would really appreciate inputs from people who have an idea of the semiconductor industry pay scales in Singapore.

Thanks in advance!

[tintin123]

I would like to add that I am a fresh PhD - but with the relevant experience (through grad school research and internships in well known companies).

[EddieH]

Hi All

Just wondering if anyone has any idea what level of salary a Tax Manager in a Big 4 accounting firm could expect? Let's say 6-7 years experience and in the UK an expected salary of maybe Stg£65k.

Anyone out there? Surely someone must have an idea! Input most appreciated.

Thanks

[wcs]

Does anyone know the salary ranges for manager or assistant vice president at A*Star? It would be the technology commercialisation division. Just trying to get feel for what they would pay?

[Shanii]

Hi all,
what can ACCA affiliate member fetch(monthly) in audit firms and in industry in Singapore?
How difficult it is to get into Big 4 in singapore for foreigners?Plz reply.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Why would somebody want to get into the big 4? Lower Pay and work you to death while the supervisor take all the credit? Unless you are a senior your chances are slim as they usually hire a couple of hundred new grads from the local unis every years. They work a couple years as slaves and then move on to better working environments.

[Shanii]

Thanks Sundaymorningstaple for ur post.
I am not senior.I am ACCA affiliate with top up Bsc hons from Oxford Brookes uni.But my experience is very limited(less than a year).
U said salary is low in Big 4 but can u plz give me figures to get an idea.Also suggest other options than big 4 considering my experience.I can manage a top up MBA degree (in no time)from a Pakistani university if it can prove helpful.Plz reply.I would be obliged.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I would guess probably looking at around 2600-3000 with 2800/mo being the target. MBA? That, without a couple of years relevant experience only means you can study academics. And MBA's are pretty commonplace here in Singapore. Unless it's from a well know western business uni you ought to save your money until you get some relevant experience.

[Shanii]

Would 2800/pm be enough to make both ends meet for 1 person?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Yes, if you didn't have really high expectations. If you are willing to rent a room in an HDB flat (~4-600/mo) and use public transport (bus & MRT) you can manage and still save a wee bit of money. But if you drink and are fond of partying in clubs, then it's gonna be pretty tight.

[Shanii]

Thanks. u r a great help.I am away from drinking and clubs.Actually Singapore is a small country (area about 750 sq km).My hometown Lahore is 1750 sq km area and we move daily for 40 odd min so it is a routine.
1)In how much time can I move to S$4000/mo from
S$2800/mo.
2)u said they make us work like slaves, what r the working hours in Big 4 in Singapore?
3)I can speak English but no mandarin ,would it hamper?Regards.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Thanks. u r a great help.I am away from drinking and clubs.Actually Singapore is a small country (area about 750 sq km).My hometown Lahore is 1750 sq km area and we move daily for 40 odd min so it is a routine.
1)In how much time can I move to S$4000/mo from
S$2800/mo.

That, obviously, is up to you, your performance and your company. There is no way of guestimating something like that but I would hope you would see in inside of 3 years (economic outlook not taken into account).

2)u said they make us work like slaves, what r the working hours in Big 4 in Singapore?

Technically 40-44 hrs/week. (5-5.5 days week) Actually? 60+ (depending on what time of the year it is..... but no overtime!

3)I can speak English but no mandarin ,would it hamper?Regards.

Put is this way, No it "shouldn't" hamper if in a big four company. But it definitely adds to the CV though........