Singapore Expats

Is my salary good enough?

Discuss about getting a well paid job or career advancement. Ask about salaries, expat packages, CPF & taxes for expatriate.
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pillai_sumesh
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Is my salary good enough?

Post by pillai_sumesh » Mon, 09 Jun 2008 8:25 pm

Hello All,

Am new to this forum and I do expect some help from all you guys, especially from ones who is currently working in Singapore in the IT sector. Am currently based in India and recently, I got an offer from one of the semiconductor based companies in Singapore for the post of System Analyst with a salary of 44K per annum. I want to know if this is good enough? I have 3 years of total experience in IT.

Also it will be really nice of you if you can share some thoughts on how much will be the avg total monthly expense for a couple there? we are ok to live in a one bedroom house.

Kindly reply.

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Strong Eagle
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Post by Strong Eagle » Mon, 09 Jun 2008 9:20 pm

It is probably a little bit low. You will neeed to be frugal to live on this salary but you will be able to survive.

My opinion: You are one of many Indians who are offered less than market wages for similar positions. Not fair, I agree. On the other hand, once you are here you will have many opportunities in front of you.

Cheers.

rasserie
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Post by rasserie » Mon, 16 Jun 2008 2:13 am

on the contrary, u earn at least 4x as much as most indians who worked in the construction labor industry.

non the less, u can still live comfortably in singapore. if u are alone.

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Mon, 16 Jun 2008 8:54 am

rasserie,

I believe SE was correct. The fact that they earn 4x as much as those working in the Construction Industry is not relevant is it. They earn 4x as much in India as well don't they. Let's keep it apples to apples shall we? Hmm? Or are you just trying to be "contrary"? :P
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

bruinbear
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Post by bruinbear » Mon, 16 Jun 2008 8:37 pm

You can come here and then try to look for another job in the meantime.

I think IT salaries are quite high at the moment.

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taxico
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Post by taxico » Mon, 16 Jun 2008 9:11 pm

bruinbear wrote:You can come here and then try to look for another job in the meantime.

I think IT salaries are quite high at the moment.
you might want to make sure you have some specialist skills. not all IT jobs come with high salaries.

the polytechnics and universities churn out sufficient graduates to keep entry-level IT positions at an unacceptable (to me) pay rate.

i'm also unsure how it would reflect to the next employer if one job hopped... especially with all the visas and permits and what not, necessary to land the first job.

go with what sunday said. how does the package convert back to at home?

also consider the prospective opportunities and experience to be gained at the new job.

i think on 44k, a couple can live together decently and have some left over.

ahosanna
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Post by ahosanna » Tue, 17 Jun 2008 9:40 pm

it really depends on the package - if they are going to move you and help with housing, $44k is decent.....compared to what you will get back home. Like everyone said, it will open new doors here and at least get you started. I doubt you'll find living in Singapore too big of an adjustment (at least its still in south east asia!) I'd say go for it!

nicki08
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Post by nicki08 » Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:58 pm

Thats not a bad salary for your experience, but you will lose a lot on rent - prices are very steep at the moment.

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ksl
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Post by ksl » Thu, 19 Jun 2008 4:55 pm

I know a local lad, just secured a job when he finishes University. he's getting 2800.

44K well you can see for yourself, but like SE said its a little low, but it's an opportunity, to make the most of it if your good, it will soon shoot up, no doubt, if they want to keep you.

You can manage on it, even with a family and one child that I know of. you should be able to save a little. just avoid the expensive western estabishments. Some Singaporean local families have to survive on this kind of income.

It's a case of having to manage, until better things come along, one thing is, you will not go hungry and you have opportunities to reduce cost by sharing if need be. Rent being the largest cost.

bruinbear
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Post by bruinbear » Fri, 20 Jun 2008 6:44 pm

starting pay for local IT people can get quite high... $3k/month thereabouts and that excludes bonuses.

awesomearpit
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Post by awesomearpit » Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:42 pm

Low or high depends what are your other options.
if this is the best yo are being offered then take it..

like others have said you can live on it (atleast if you are single.. rent+PUB = $1000 for a decent furnished room , Food = $450 if you eat out everyday at foodcourts and the rest is minor if you use public transport and dont splurge on weekends.)

zhiz22
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Post by zhiz22 » Tue, 01 Jul 2008 2:04 am

pretty good already

BLURAY
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Thanks

Post by BLURAY » Wed, 02 Jul 2008 3:16 am

Thanks to all the above guys who posted and showed a positive way for new things in life.....Even I have got a job there and moving in next 3 days...with little less salary structure and am apprehensive as to how the things will turn out to be.....thanks as after reading it has boosted my confidence

SKYLINE_WJ
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Post by SKYLINE_WJ » Fri, 04 Jul 2008 7:23 pm

yr pay good already..
my startng pay ard 2.3k onli in IT side

Icemocha
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Post by Icemocha » Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:36 am

Indian IT programmers are a diem a dozen here. However, if you are technical, you'll likely land in a better paying job within 1-2 yrs.

If you are one of those Arts grads with a IT cert. of dip, then you won't last long here. Hundreds of poorly qualified IT programmers get fired and spent months looking for jobs before returning home to Indian.

So, if you are good, don't worry about the pay, just perform and move on if not recognised. If you are not technical, don't come.

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