Salary guideline for someone with a PhD?

[jakjak]

Hi everyone,

I am a 24 yo PhD student studying in Australia who's soon to graduate. My research is in high tech clean energy area and when I graduate, I'll probably working in R&D technology sector of a high tech company. I've been offered a job in the US with base salary in the range of US$90-100k p.a. I also have an imminent offer from a European multinational company who's setting up a manufacturing facility in Singapore for a R&D job. I was just wondering, what base salary can I expect for someone with a background like mine? Can I expect similar salary to the one I've been offered in the US (i.e. US$90-100k/yr = S$130-150k/yr = S$10-12.5k/mth)?

What kind of living standard can I expect with that kind of salary in Singapore for a single guy? My biggest worry is rent, would anyone be kind enough to give a rough idea of the monthly rent for a 1 bedroom high-rise condo arnd 700-900sq ft (with amenities like air con, gym, parking, etc) in the Orchard road area. I like to live in bustling downtown area where I can get easy access to shops, malls, food, etc within walking distance.

Thanks in advance for everyone's kind and generous help.

Cheers,
Jakjak

[jpatokal]

Can I expect similar salary to the one I've been offered in the US (i.e. US$90-100k/yr = S$130-150k/yr = S$10-12.5k/mth)?

Roughly speaking, yes. (Sing salaries tend to be lower, but your offer will most likely jump up once you let on that you have a pending offer at that salary.)

What kind of living standard can I expect with that kind of salary in Singapore for a single guy? My biggest worry is rent, would anyone be kind enough to give a rough idea of the monthly rent for a 1 bedroom high-rise condo arnd 700-900sq ft (with amenities like air con, gym, parking, etc) in the Orchard road area. I like to live in bustling downtown area where I can get easy access to shops, malls, food, etc within walking distance.

Do a search, this is asked every single day. The supply of single apartments is low and rentals are disproportionately high, so while you could afford one with that salary, it's much more economical to share.

[taxico]

I've been offered a job in the US with base salary in the range of US$90-100k p.a. I also have an imminent offer from a European multinational company who's setting up a manufacturing facility in Singapore for a R&D job.

taxes are higher in the states. i think in your area of research, that's a small price to pay for being with brilliant minds and opportunities in USA.

however, are you guaranteed a visa to work in the states (without having to wait too long) after graduation?

lastly, congrats on the degree. were you an honors student that skipped masters?

[jakjak]

thanks everyone for your kind input and replies.

taxico: i think you make a good point with the tax being higher in the US. and yes, i skipped masters and i should have the company sponsor me for a working visa in the US.

[taxico]

waitaminit; are you a phd student or phd candidate?

head on over and good luck with your visa. i understand there's a giant backlog of apps, even for experienced scientists (which are in demand).

is that why they are recruiting so early in your degree?

[gif]

hi jakjak

congrats!

btw, I have a PhD and in R&D I got salaries I could barely survive the month with, back in Italy!!! And now that I turned to a "proper job", my salary is still quite lower than the rates you are talking of, with 10 years experience, so...go ahead whatever! and tell me where u work, I'll send an application too!


With S$10k/month, if u want a flat in a condo (not central, not shared) take out from the salary about S$ 4K/month; if then u don't plan to have a car and use public transportation instead, let's say u spend maximum 5S$/day, which makes 150S$/month (conservative maybe), then u add on some cab fares, let's say 50S$/week (conservative again), I think u probably wouldn't be rich, but still have good money left for enjoying and to cover expenses I've been neglecting/not knowing.
Furtermore, consider that taxes here in Singapore are quite low, I think only 7%.

You could ask the company if they provide medical insurance/assistance for you here, as I heard medical treatment is quite expensive (not used yet, luckily, and anyhow my company is providing).

Good luck!

[taxico]

i don't agree with the fact that medical care is expensive in singapore (but yes, it CAN get expensive if you want top quality medical service or if you're struck with an unusually complicated illness).

what you pay is what you get, but even at the cheapest level (polyclinics/private GPs), it's pretty decent.

consider the amount saved through low taxes (Singapore's not a welfare state) going towards medical insurance or as an investment towards making healthier lifestyle choices.

[jakjak]

waitaminit; are you a phd student or phd candidate?

head on over and good luck with your visa. i understand there's a giant backlog of apps, even for experienced scientists (which are in demand).

is that why they are recruiting so early in your degree?

i'm a phd candidate, prbably will be finished in abt 6-9mths. i know that there is a long backlog for US work visa for certain categories. there are 4 categories for work visa and I think I can qualify for the second highest category (which last time I checked did not actually have a backlog). so finger crossed that will go through should i decide to move to the US

[jakjak]

hi jakjak

congrats!

btw, I have a PhD and in R&D I got salaries I could barely survive the month with, back in Italy!!! And now that I turned to a "proper job", my salary is still quite lower than the rates you are talking of, with 10 years experience, so...go ahead whatever! and tell me where u work, I'll send an application too!


With S$10k/month, if u want a flat in a condo (not central, not shared) take out from the salary about S$ 4K/month; if then u don't plan to have a car and use public transportation instead, let's say u spend maximum 5S$/day, which makes 150S$/month (conservative maybe), then u add on some cab fares, let's say 50S$/week (conservative again), I think u probably wouldn't be rich, but still have good money left for enjoying and to cover expenses I've been neglecting/not knowing.
Furtermore, consider that taxes here in Singapore are quite low, I think only 7%.

You could ask the company if they provide medical insurance/assistance for you here, as I heard medical treatment is quite expensive (not used yet, luckily, and anyhow my company is providing).

Good luck!

hello hello,

thanks for your reply and well wishes. thanks very much for the info on rough expenditure regarding flats and other stuff. thats very kind of you! i've been to singapore many times before and i know that besides housing, everything else is quite cheap. so i'm most worried about housing. i have a relative in singapore so i usually stay with them when i visit for a couple of days. thats why i hav no idea about rent in singapore.

i know that in the US where i will be working if i accept that job, rent will comprise about 1/12th of my gross salary. i just want to compare that with singapore.

so if i decide to share with someone else, let's say a two bedroom modern full amenities condo centrally located (eg: orchard road or something). how much would that roughly be? btw, is there any website or forum where i can find ads of ppl looking for housemates so that i can survey the prevalent rent rate for share accomodation?

thanks in advance for your kind help

jakjak

[gif]

I think a 2 bedroom flat in a normal condo in central area could easily come out to 4,000-4,500 S$/month, with furniture.

As you said, housing is the worst part (together with medical assistance, make sure you have a sort of insurance provided by the company).

To check for flat mates go look in the Classifieds area, or place a post, I'm sure someone will contact you, there is such a big movement in the forum, that it shouldn't be a problem