Salaries in Singapore: MOM releases detailed data for 570 professions—36 pay S$10K or more

17 hours ago 1

Michael Petraeus
30 Jul 2025

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Data comes from the latest annual report on Occupational Wages published by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower.

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower has just released its annual update on median salaries, covering 570 professions across nine categories:

Managers
Professionals
Associate Professionals and Technicians
Clerical Support Workers
Service & Sales Workers
Agricultural & Fishery Workers
Craftsmen & Related Trade Workers
Plant & Machine Operators and Assemblers
Cleaners, Labourers & Related Workers

The first three fall under the PMET group (Professionals, Managers, Executives & Technicians), while the rest are classified as non-PMET—and this is how we’re going to list them below. Please note, however, that while the publication is recent, the data is from 2024, as MOM compiles these detailed figures only for the previous year.

Nevertheless, not as much has changed since then, so let’s start by taking a look at the best-paid occupations in the country, which offer a median gross monthly wage of over S$10,000.

Best-paying jobs in Singapore

This year, 36 professions have made this list, solely from the two top categories: Managers and Professionals.

Interestingly, it’s not the managers who make the most, though, as the top two spots go to flying instructors and foreign exchange brokers. C-Suite directors come in only in sixth, and CEOs are down in twelfth, though it likely reflects the fact that there are more of them (since even smaller companies need a chief executive), which makes their pool larger and overall median lower.

This is worth bearing in mind as you look through the numbers, as different occupations may have far fewer or far more data points.

Rank	Occupation	Gross Monthly Median Wage
1	Flying instructor (except air force)	S$20,000
2	Foreign exchange broker	S$19,750
3	Social service manager	S$18,455
4	In-house legal counsel (except judiciary, ministries and statutory boards)	S$17,939
5	Commodities trader (excluding oil and bunker)	S$16,000
6	Chief information officer/Chief technology officer/Chief security officer	S$15,226
7	Oil and bunker trader	S$14,896
8	Commercial airline pilot	S$13,878
9	Foreign exchange dealer	S$13,583
10	Trade broker	S$13,500
11	University lecturer	S$13,024
12	Strategic planning manager	S$12,991
13	Financial risk manager	S$12,924
14	Managing director/Chief executive officer	S$12,780
15	Chief operating officer/General Manager	S$12,750
16	Energy engineer	S$12,425
17	Ship charterer	S$12,399
18	Financial product structurer	S$12,321
19	ICT auditor	S$12,311
20	Enterprise/Solution architect	S$12,137
21	Fund/Portfolio manager (including asset allocator)	S$12,060
22	Policy manager	S$12,053
23	Commodities and freight derivatives broker	S$12,000
24	Director (stage, film, television, game, commercial, video and radio)	S$12,000
25	Risk management manager	S$11,941
26	Database architect	S$11,153
27	Company director	S$11,000
28	Regional sales manager	S$11,000
29	Research and development manager	S$10,901
30	Editor (news and periodicals)	S$10,800
31	Management consultant	S$10,797
32	Software and applications manager	S$10,779
33	Network, communications and infrastructure manager	S$10,750
34	Insurance services manager	S$10,466
35	Cyber risk specialist	S$10,120
36	Audit manager	S$10,041

As you can see, it’s a really diverse mix consisting of managerial, technical, legal and even artistic positions, from top-ranking managers and financial traders, through IT personnel and university lecturers, to film directors or news editors.

There’s a five-figure monthly job for almost everyone—and there are well-paying ones in many other occupations, too. Take a look.

Singapore salary figures by job category

Here’s the list of all 570 entries across nine categories provided by MOM, so you can see how your income ranks against the median for your job. Wages listed are for full-time employed residents only.

PMET

Managers

While managers tend to make the most money, being a manager doesn’t necessarily guarantee high pay. In some cases, it’s possible to fall under the national median of S$5,500 if working in retail, food, sports or arts. A job title doesn’t necessarily come with a big salary if the company itself isn’t bringing in much money.

Occupation	Gross Monthly Median Wage
Social service manager	S$18,455
Chief information officer/Chief technology officer/Chief security officer	S$15,226
Strategic planning manager	S$12,991
Financial risk manager	S$12,924
Chief operating officer/General Manager	S$12,750
Managing director/Chief executive officer	S$12,780
Policy manager	S$12,053
Risk management manager	S$11,941
Research and development manager	S$10,901
Network, communications and infrastructure manager	S$10,750
Software and applications manager	S$10,779
Company director	S$11,000
Regional sales manager	S$11,000
Insurance services manager	S$10,466
Audit manager	S$10,041
Health services manager	S$9,839
ICT service manager	S$9,503
Budgeting and financial accounting manager (including financial controller)	S$9,200
Industrial relations manager	S$9,152
Quality control/assurance manager	S$9,100
Wholesale trade manager	S$8,905
Port/Shipping operations manager	S$8,695
Advertising/Public relations manager	S$8,699
Marketing manager	S$8,839
Merchandising/Category manager	S$8,746
Technical/Engineering services manager (excluding transport)	S$8,684
Manufacturing manager	S$8,550
Customer service manager	S$8,474
Procurement/Purchasing manager	S$8,375
Business development manager	S$8,650
Personnel/Human resource manager	S$8,197
Postal service manager	S$7,910
Financial services manager	S$7,773
Aged care services manager	S$7,759
Travel agency manager	S$7,770
Transport/Technical operations manager (except port/shipping operations)	S$7,679
Online sales channel manager	S$7,614
Construction manager	S$7,600
Production manager in agriculture and fisheries	S$6,930
School principal	S$6,967
Security manager	S$6,729
Supply and distribution/Logistics/Warehousing manager	S$6,625
Sales manager	S$7,030
Premises and facilities maintenance manager (excluding building security manager)	S$6,540
Administration manager	S$6,384
Attractions manager	S$6,195
Community, partnership and relations manager	S$6,250
Media and broadcasting manager	S$6,010
Call centre manager	S$5,968
Training manager	S$5,960
Event manager	S$5,960
Pre-school education manager	S$6,101
Hotel operations/Lodging services manager	S$4,970
Food and beverage operations manager	S$5,286
Catering manager	S$4,697
Wellness centre manager (e.g. hair/beauty/slimming/spa/manicure/massage)	S$5,635
Arts and cultural centre manager (including gallery and museum manager)	S$4,550
Landscape manager	S$4,300
Sports centre manager	S$4,895
Retail manager	S$4,500
Restaurant manager	S$4,000

Professionals

This is the largest group by the number of different occupations that fall under it. Again, despite being in the PMET category, it doesn’t guarantee great pay. Flying instructors may be pulling in a median of S$20,000, while counsellors can’t even make it to S$3,000.

Occupation	Gross Monthly Median Wage
Flying instructor (except air force)	S$20,000
Foreign exchange broker	S$19,750
In-house legal counsel (except judiciary, ministries and statutory boards)	S$17,939
Commodities trader (excluding oil and bunker)	S$16,000
Oil and bunker trader	S$14,896
Commercial airline pilot	S$13,878
Foreign exchange dealer	S$13,583
Trade broker	S$13,500
University lecturer	S$13,024
Energy engineer	S$12,425
Ship charterer	S$12,399
Financial product structurer	S$12,321
ICT auditor	S$12,311
Enterprise/Solution architect	S$12,137
Fund/Portfolio manager (including asset allocator)	S$12,060
Commodities and freight derivatives broker	S$12,000
Director (stage, film, television, game, commercial, video and radio)	S$12,000
Database architect	S$11,153
Editor (news and periodicals)	S$10,800
Management consultant	S$10,797
Cyber risk specialist	S$10,120
Tax accountant	S$9,726
Business valuer	S$9,708
Marine superintendent	S$9,600
Cloud specialist	S$9,583
Sales professional (institutional sales of financial products)	S$9,517
Treasury manager	S$9,405
Power generation and distribution engineer	S$9,131
Data scientist	S$9,049
Dermatologist	S$9,035
Ship broker (e.g. charter or sales & purchase)	S$9,000
Clinical research professional	S$8,990
Software developer	S$8,887
Human resource consultant (excluding executive search consultant)	S$8,800
Environmental officer (public health)	S$8,752
Materials engineer	S$8,643
Statistician	S$8,593
Automation engineer (including robotics engineer)	S$8,588
Service designer	S$8,557
Securities and finance broker	S$8,508
ICT business process consultant/Business analyst	S$8,500
Veterinarian	S$8,500
Business consultant	S$8,469
ICT sales and services professional	S$8,433
Statistical officer/Data analyst	S$8,365
Biologist	S$8,352
Chief engineer/Second engineer (ship)	S$8,339
Embedded systems engineer (including port systems engineer)	S$8,085
Marketing strategy/planning professional	S$8,060
Financial/Investment adviser (e.g. relationship manager)	S$8,000
Securities and finance dealer	S$7,896
Interaction designer	S$7,883
IT infrastructure specialist	S$7,881
Electronics engineer	S$7,861
Cybersecurity architect	S$7,826
Security operations specialist	S$7,700
Business and financial project management professional	S$7,693
ICT quality assurance specialist	S$7,666
Marine superintendent (engineer)	S$7,638
Actuary	S$7,572
Compliance officer/Risk analyst (financial)	S$7,506
Financial analyst (e.g. equities analyst, credit analyst, investment research analyst)	S$7,500
Medical and pharmaceutical products sales professional	S$7,259
Environmental officer (environmental protection)	S$7,210
Creative advertising professional	S$7,161
Diagnostic radiologist	S$7,016
Market research professional	S$7,000
Web and mobile applications developer	S$7,000
Insurance underwriter	S$6,991
Systems designer/analyst	S$6,966
Instrumentation engineer	S$6,945
Editor (radio, television and video)	S$6,909
Psychiatrist	S$6,868
Technical sales professional	S$6,850
Ophthalmologist	S$6,804
Building architect	S$6,798
Rolling stock engineer	S$6,795
Producer (stage, film, television, game, commercial, video and radio)	S$6,736
Urologist	S$6,729
Database administrator	S$6,717
Anaesthesiologist	S$6,712
Industrial and organisational psychologist	S$6,706
Pharmacologist	S$6,706
Librarian	S$6,659
Minister of religion	S$6,637
Otorhinolaryngologist/Ear, nose, throat (ENT) specialist	S$6,624
Industrial safety engineer	S$6,602
Semi-conductor engineer	S$6,600
Social science researcher	S$6,600
Emergency physician	S$6,575
Air-conditioning/Refrigeration engineer	S$6,503
Applications/Systems programmer	S$6,500
Civil engineer	S$6,500
Procurement engineer	S$6,500
Translator	S$6,456
Internal medicine physician	S$6,391
Revenue specialist	S$6,387
Polytechnic lecturer	S$6,384
Chemist	S$6,357
General practitioner/physician	S$6,335
Multimedia (including games) developer	S$6,331
Quality control/assurance engineer	S$6,310
Cardiothoracic surgeon	S$6,294
Operations research analyst	S$6,292
Biochemist	S$6,264
Production engineer	S$6,251
Mechanical engineer	S$6,205
Telecommunications engineer	S$6,158
Landscape architect	S$6,145
Economist	S$6,080
Computer engineer	S$6,061
Media and broadcasting engineer	S$6,049
Aeronautical engineer	S$6,046
Electrical engineer	S$6,000
Industrial machinery and tools engineer	S$6,000
Journalist	S$6,000
Medical laboratory scientist	S$5,979
Obstetrician/Gynaecologist	S$5,965
Technical writer	S$5,891
Orthopaedic surgeon	S$5,836
Medical scientist	S$5,833
Process engineer	S$5,833
Paediatrician	S$5,789
Medical diagnostic radiographer	S$5,716
Environmental engineer	S$5,710
Product and industrial designer	S$5,710
Executive search consultant	S$5,709
Radiation therapist	S$5,629
Curator	S$5,595
General surgeon	S$5,580
Auditor (accounting)	S$5,575
Artistic director (stage, film, television, game and radio)	S$5,500
Clinical psychologist	S$5,495
Accountant (excluding tax accountant)	S$5,494
Pharmacist (patient care)	S$5,466
Hydrographic surveyor	S$5,450
Urban planner	S$5,397
Biomedical engineer	S$5,346
Multimedia (including games) designer	S$5,319
Advocate/Solicitor (practising)	S$5,300
Digital marketing professional (e.g. online, social media, e-commerce marketing professional)	S$5,300
Industrial relations officer	S$5,292
Registered nurse and other nursing professional (e.g. clinical nurse, nurse educator, excluding enrolled nurse)	S$5,276
Content writer	S$5,250
Optometrist	S$5,241
Research officer (non-statistical)	S$5,200
Policy administration professional (e.g. policy analyst)	S$5,179
General dental practitioner	S$5,163
Podiatrist	S$5,054
Quantity surveyor	S$5,040
Land surveyor	S$5,000
Multimedia artist and animator	S$5,000
Occupational health and safety professional	S$5,000
Occupational therapist	S$4,933
Medical social worker	S$4,915
Audiologist	S$4,884
Data centre engineer	S$4,863
Lift engineer	S$4,842
Audio and video equipment engineer	S$4,837
Physiotherapist	S$4,814
Building construction engineer	S$4,800
Speech therapist	S$4,764
Network, servers and computer systems administrator	S$4,750
Dietitian	S$4,708
Nutritionist	S$4,684
Marine engineer	S$4,603
Manufacturing engineer	S$4,589
Training and staff development professional	S$4,490
Intellectual property agent	S$4,464
Career coach (counselling)	S$4,415
Social worker (general)	S$4,410
Counsellor (family)	S$4,350
Public relations/Corporate communications professional	S$4,305
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner	S$4,289
Food and drink technologist	S$4,261
Early intervention teacher for infants and children	S$4,019
Author	S$4,000
Personnel/Human resource officer	S$4,000
Script writer and editor	S$3,945
Technical/Vocational/Commercial education institute teacher and trainer	S$3,800
Graphic designer	S$3,765
Fashion designer	S$3,500
School counsellor	S$3,497
Teaching assistant/Tutor in university	S$3,400
Counsellor (rehabilitation)	S$2,974
Counsellor (drugs and alcohol)	S$2,658

Associate Professionals & Technicians

While we’re climbing down the financial ladder, lower-ranking professionals and technicians need not feel resigned to a lower salary, as some earn over S$8,000 or even S$9,000 per month. It all depends on the blend of value, skills and experience, even without the badge of a big MNC director.

Occupation	Gross Monthly Median Wage
International market agent/representative (e.g. junket operator)	S$9,530
Harbour pilot	S$8,833
Safety and security consultant	S$8,318
Environmental inspector (environmental public health)	S$7,392
Maintenance planner	S$6,540
Information technology trainer (extracurriculum)	S$6,119
Insurance sales agent/broker (including independent financial planner)	S$5,780
Chemical engineering technician (petrochemicals)	S$5,752
After sales adviser/Client account service executive	S$5,620
Air transport service supervisor	S$5,552
Video camera operator	S$5,434
Computer systems operator	S$5,425
Occupational health and safety inspector	S$5,403
Financial markets back office administrator	S$5,366
Appraiser/Valuer (excluding intangible asset valuer)	S$5,281
Sonographer	S$5,200
IT support technician (including IT user helpdesk technician)	S$5,148
Photographer	S$5,120
Assessor	S$5,100
Marine surveyor (ship and nautical)	S$5,089
Audit associate professional	S$5,050
Business development executive	S$5,000
Chemical engineering technician	S$4,925
Enrolled/Assistant nurse (excluding registered nurse)	S$4,904
Sports coach	S$4,896
Assistant electrical engineer	S$4,871
Chemistry technician	S$4,765
Visual merchandiser	S$4,736
Interior designer	S$4,700
Buyer	S$4,694
Assistant electronics engineer	S$4,632
Legal associate professional (e.g. paralegal)	S$4,557
Air transport equipment project executive	S$4,555
IT security technician	S$4,542
Employment agent/Labour contractor	S$4,522
Road transport operations officer	S$4,507
Advertising salesman	S$4,500
Clinical research coordinator	S$4,500
Website administrator/Webmaster	S$4,500
Aeronautical engineering technician	S$4,481
Semi-conductor technician	S$4,462
Process engineering technician	S$4,461
Marine draughtsman	S$4,400
Production engineering technician	S$4,380
Crewing executive (ship)	S$4,377
Lift technician	S$4,374
Optician	S$4,357
Language instructor (extracurriculum)	S$4,329
Civil engineering technician	S$4,310
Tax associate professional	S$4,300
Quality assurance technician	S$4,292
Medical and pathology laboratory technician	S$4,280
Private tutor (academic)	S$4,250
Purchasing agent	S$4,240
Electrical engineering technician	S$4,235
Load control officer (aircraft)	S$4,229
Air cargo officer	S$4,201
Marine engineering officer (including third, fourth and fifth engineer)	S$4,173
Media and broadcasting operations technician	S$4,150
Air-conditioning/Refrigeration engineering technician	S$4,141
Architectural draughtsman	S$4,135
Assistant civil and structural engineer	S$4,110
Logistics/Production planner	S$4,104
IT Infrastructure technician	S$4,100
Martial arts instructor	S$4,100
Electronics engineering technician	S$4,071
Clearing and forwarding agent	S$4,047
Shipping agent/Boarding officer	S$4,046
Assistant manufacturing engineer	S$4,002
Pre-primary education teacher	S$4,000
Assistant mechanical engineer	S$3,983
Operations officer (except transport operations)	S$3,969
Safety inspector (vehicles, processes and products)	S$3,964
Kitchen operations head/supervisor	S$3,949
Management executive	S$3,912
Assistant accountant	S$3,885
Premises and facilities maintenance officer	S$3,875
Audio and video equipment technician	S$3,869
Chef	S$3,850
Port/Shipping operations supervisor (including post-fixture and planner)	S$3,830
Fire and safety inspector	S$3,810
Mechanical draughtsman	S$3,800
Real estate agent	S$3,800
Resident technical officer	S$3,800
Automotive engineering technician	S$3,778
Flight operations officer	S$3,778
Manufacturing engineering technician	S$3,750
Mechanical engineering technician	S$3,746
Exhibition/Conference/Event planner (including wedding planner/coordinator)	S$3,740
Machining/Tooling technician	S$3,641
Instrumentation technician	S$3,626
Building technician	S$3,623
Non-ordained religious associate professional	S$3,611
Volunteer executive	S$3,565
Medical X-ray technician	S$3,540
Veterinary technician/assistant	S$3,531
Electrical/Electronics draughtsman	S$3,518
Marketing and sales executive (food & beverage services)	S$3,500
Online sales channel executive	S$3,500
Automation technician	S$3,449
Telecommunications technician	S$3,421
Land surveying technician	S$3,400
Train operations officer	S$3,385
Paramedic	S$3,375
Social work associate	S$3,362
Landscape operations officer	S$3,325
Art and craft instructor (extracurriculum)	S$3,300
Train service supervisor	S$3,272
Pharmacy technician	S$3,240
Merchandising/Category executive	S$3,197
Community health worker	S$3,103
Pastry Chef	S$3,034
Dental technician	S$3,032
Music instructor (extracurriculum)	S$3,000
Rolling stock engineering technician	S$2,970
Library officer	S$2,936
Civil/Structural engineering draughtsman	S$2,819
Relief teacher	S$2,765
Massage therapist	S$2,690
Athlete/Sportsman	S$2,658
Physical fitness instructor (including yoga instructor and aerobics instructor)	S$2,550
Youth work associate	S$2,500

Non-PMET

With a median salary of just S$3,000, those falling outside of the PMET category are paid much less than PMETs, half of whom earn S$7,300 or more. However, even if you’re one of the clerical, sales or manufacturing workers, there are jobs available that pay considerably above the average figures.

Besides the usual foremen and supervisors, who can make well over S$7,000, senior stewards or qualified equipment installers are not far behind, and if you’re good with locks, you can apparently make almost S$10,000 as a locksmith!

Clerical Support Workers

Occupation	Gross Monthly Median Wage
Material planning clerk	S$6,000
Securities clerk	S$5,972
Pawnbroker	S$5,192
Bank operations clerk	S$5,150
Insurance/Underwriting clerk	S$5,045
Secretary	S$5,035
Proofreading clerk	S$5,000
Statistical clerk	S$4,401
Payroll/Wages clerk	S$4,256
Legal clerk	S$4,246
Bill collector	S$4,073
Bank teller	S$3,965
Audit clerk	S$3,875
Money changer	S$3,750
Office supervisor	S$3,743
Travel consultant/Reservation executive	S$3,740
Production planning clerk	S$3,536
Data processing control clerk	S$3,480
Ledger and accounts clerk	S$3,340
Shipping clerk	S$3,318
Bookkeeper	S$3,200
Hotel executive (including hotel reservation and front desk executive)	S$3,198
Customer service officer/clerk	S$3,190
Air transport clerk	S$3,160
Contact centre information clerk	S$3,150
Billing clerk	S$3,100
Personnel/Human resource clerk	S$2,950
Land transport clerk	S$2,909
Procurement/Purchasing clerk	S$2,850
Medical/Dental receptionist	S$2,810
Typist and word processing operator	S$2,803
Receptionist (general)	S$2,724
Postman	S$2,706
Stock records clerk	S$2,706
Enumerator/Market research interviewer	S$2,701
Hotel receptionist (including hotel reservation and front desk clerk)	S$2,687
Passenger services agent	S$2,570
Telephone operator	S$2,523
Storekeeper	S$2,500
Library clerk	S$2,426
Postal service counter clerk	S$2,392
Data entry clerk	S$2,000
Office clerk (including filing and copying)	S$1,823

Service & Sales

Occupation	Gross Monthly Median Wage
Chief steward	S$6,890
Insurance investigator	S$6,125
House steward	S$5,287
Cage/Count supervisor	S$4,484
Undertaker	S$4,137
Slimming consultant	S$4,081
Telemarketer	S$4,072
Cabin attendant/steward	S$3,821
Salesperson (door-to-door)	S$3,811
Hair stylist/Hairdresser	S$3,756
Senior security supervisor	S$3,720
Beautician	S$3,500
Housekeeping matron	S$3,491
Senior cook (e.g. station chef, commis cook 1, station cook)	S$3,425
Auxiliary police officer	S$3,396
Educarer	S$3,391
Driving instructor/tester	S$3,342
Security supervisor	S$3,236
Housekeeper (hotels and other establishments)	S$3,233
Sales supervisor	S$3,220
Senior private security officer	S$3,082
Nursing aide/assistant	S$3,000
Bookmaker/Croupier/Casino dealer and related gaming worker	S$2,991
Bartender/Mixologist	S$2,976
Tour guide	S$2,881
Captain waiter/Waiter supervisor	S$2,837
Rail station service assistant	S$2,810
Keeper/Trainer in zoological, bird and aquatic parks	S$2,803
Lifeguard	S$2,790
Private security officer	S$2,748
Dental aide/assistant	S$2,700
Child/After school care centre worker	S$2,650
Sales demonstrator	S$2,550
Teacher aide	S$2,501
Healthcare assistant (e.g. therapy aide/assistant)	S$2,432
Shop sales assistant	S$2,358
Petrol station attendant	S$2,165
Cashier (general)	S$2,152
Manicurist	S$2,100
Barista	S$2,064
Cook (e.g. commis cook 2/3)	S$2,028
Attractions guide	S$2,000
Food service counter attendant	S$1,939
Masseur (non-medical) (including foot reflexologist)	S$1,600
Waiter	S$1,564

Agricultural & Fishery

Occupation	Gross Monthly Median Wage
Aquarium fish farm worker	S$3,630
Landscape and plant nursery supervisor	S$2,575
Gardener and horticultural worker	S$1,800

Craftsmen & Related Trades

Occupation	Gross Monthly Median Wage
Locksmith	S$9,443
Supervisor/General foreman (metal, machinery and related trades)	S$7,712
Air-conditioning/Refrigeration plant installer	S$6,497
Lift supervisor	S$4,813
Supervisor/General foreman (electrical and electronic trades, excluding lift)	S$4,796
Supervisor/General foreman (precision, handicraft, printing and related trades)	S$4,739
Watch and clock assembler/repairer	S$4,500
Electrical lift, escalator and related equipment fitter	S$4,108
Underwater diver	S$4,030
Tool and die maker	S$4,017
Industrial/Office machinery mechanic	S$4,012
Supervisor/General foreman (food processing, woodworking, garment, leather and related trades).	S$3,861
Medical device assembler/repairer	S$3,714
Pre-press trades worker	S$3,568
Supervisor/General foreman (building and related trades)	S$3,480
Metal moulder and coremaker	S$3,384
Air-conditioning/Refrigeration equipment mechanic	S$3,263
Building maintenance worker	S$3,245
Welder and flame cutter	S$3,050
Electrician	S$3,000
Machinery mechanic	S$2,910
Carpenter	S$2,902
Electrical household appliance repairer	S$2,797
Automotive mechanic	S$2,776
Butcher, fishmonger and related food preparer	S$2,772
Pipe fitter	S$2,433
Pastry and confectionery maker	S$2,413
Joiner	S$2,411
Plumber	S$2,400
Fumigator and other pest and weed controller	S$2,300
Baker	S$2,210
Electrical fitter	S$2,200
Tailor/Dressmaker	S$2,098
Building painter	S$1,600
Floor/Wall tiler	S$1,600

Plant & Machine Operators and Assemblers

Occupation	Gross Monthly Median Wage
Supervisor/General foreman of assemblers and quality checkers	S$5,775
Crane/Hoist operator (excluding port)	S$4,979
Stationary plant and machine supervisor/general foreman	S$4,705
Metal heat treating plant operator	S$4,652
Mechanical products quality checker and tester	S$4,354
Waste truck driver (including hooklift trucks with roll-on containers)	S$4,140
Bus driver	S$3,782
Precision grinding machine setter-operator	S$3,227
Crane operator (on-site)	S$3,117
Excavating/Trench digging machine operator	S$3,098
Airport mobile equipment operator	S$3,081
Trailer-truck driver (including prime mover driver)	S$2,860
Metalworking machine setter-operator	S$2,809
Train operator	S$2,774
Chauffeur	S$2,743
Port limit helmsman/steersman/engine driver/tugmaster	S$2,683
Metal melter, caster and rolling mill operator	S$2,671
Concrete mix truck driver	S$2,666
Dairy and confectionery products machine operator	S$2,553
Mobile machinery supervisor and general foreman	S$2,522
Fork lift truck operator	S$2,500
Ambulance driver	S$2,386
Parking valet	S$2,372
Sewing machine operator	S$2,267
Printing machine operator	S$2,229
Lorry driver	S$2,159
Van driver	S$2,147
Packing/Bottling/Labelling machine operator	S$2,101
Mechanical equipment/component assembler	S$2,084
Motorcycle delivery man	S$2,080
Electronic equipment/component assembler	S$2,017
Delivery man using motorised personal mobility aids/devices	S$1,985
Deckhand (including lighterman)	S$1,740
Laundry and dry cleaning worker (machine, non-household)	S$1,560

Cleaners, Labourers & Related

Occupation	Gross Monthly Median Wage
Aircraft loader (e.g. airport baggage/cargo handler)	S$3,216
Car park attendant	S$3,126
Concierge (hotel)	S$3,002
Sports and recreational attendant (e.g. golf marshal, golf caddie, fun fair attendant, bowling alley attendant, swimming pool attendant)	S$2,980
Laboratory attendant	S$2,651
Vehicle attendant	S$2,620
Building caretaker/Watchman	S$2,564
Lashing worker	S$2,554
Doorman	S$2,534
Hospital/Clinic attendant	S$2,459
Warehouse worker	S$2,458
Bell captain	S$2,427
Office, commercial and industrial establishments multi-skilled cleaner cum machine operator	S$2,270
Bellboy/Hotel porter	S$2,255
Mover	S$2,223
Cleaning supervisor	S$2,210
Office/Library attendant	S$2,118
Waste recycling sorter	S$2,110
Hotel cleaner	S$2,019
Housekeeping/Linen room attendant	S$1,950
Office, commercial and industrial establishments outdoor cleaner	S$1,942
Tree worker/technician	S$1,921
Fast food preparer	S$1,854
Landscape worker	S$1,800
General waste collection, recycling and material recovery worker	S$1,750
Residential and open areas general cleaner	S$1,750
Tea server/steward (excluding bartender, barista and food/drink stall assistant)	S$1,725
Porter (except hotel)	S$1,712
Motor vehicle cleaner/polisher	S$1,700
Dishwasher	S$1,684
Table-top cleaner	S$1,670
Office, commercial and industrial establishments indoor cleaner	S$1,642
Food/Drink stall assistant	S$1,638
Food and beverage establishments general cleaner	S$1,600
Hand launderer/presser (non-household)	S$1,600
Hand packer	S$1,600
Kitchen assistant	S$1,600
Leaflet and newspaper distributor/deliverer	S$1,600
Odd job person	S$1,600
Civil engineering/Building construction labourer	S$1,550
Bus attendant	S$1,400

Skills and responsibility pay

The list largely confirms what we all well know—that your pay increases either with skill or responsibility. Usually, the latter follows the former, and as you’re getting better at the essence of your job, you’re given more responsibility, climbing up to supervisory or managerial roles.

This is true for non-PMET positions as well, where senior personnel can see earnings approach their degree-bearing peers in the white-collar corporate world.

And it might become a broader trend in the future, if AI begins to threaten the most lucrative jobs, which are more easily automated with software, as observed by this Belgian recruitment company two years ago: