Average Salary In Singapore And First Job Considerations

 

Average Salary In Singapore
Average Salary In Singapore

Introduction

No matter the stage of a career that you are currently in, job hunting (whether permanent or temporary jobs singapore) is always stressful to some extent. This is especially so for the fresh graduates who may not know where to start or what to expect. If you’re one of them or are in the process of deciding whether to accept this job offer or not, then you’ve come to the right place. This article talks about the average salary in Singapore, as well as other important factors to take into account when job hunting; Read on to find out!

Average Salary in Singapore

Using 2017 statistics from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), we help to break down the median and gross salary for the different job sectors. Starting from the lower end of the scale, the average salary for computer technicians and graphic designers is $2800 and $3000 respectively. For those working as graphic designers, public relations/corporate communications professionals, psychologists, registered nurses, journalists, and auditors, the average salary is in the mid $3000s to lower $4000s range. Technical sales professionals, mechanical engineers, accountants, industrial and production engineers, and pharmacists have an average salary within the range of lower $4000s up to high $5000s. Financials and investment advisors, electronics engineers, management and business consultants, systems analysts, civil engineers, and human resource consultants have a median salary of about mid $5000s, while data scientists and risk analysts/compliance officers have a higher average salary of $6279 and $8100 respectively. Check out MOM’s website for more updated statistics that cover a more complex range of jobs!

While you may not be aware, your starting pay is actually important as it sets the stage for your career, because many companies make offers based on your last drawn salary amount. With that said, a below-average starting pay does not indicate a be-all and end-all situation! Choosing an appropriate industry for yourself is also crucial, as a switch of career pathway can possibly mean resetting your pay to an entry-level amount. Apart from ensuring a fair salary, there are other essential factors to take into account when considering a job offer.

What is the MOM Annual Leave policy?


The MOM annual leave minimum is actually determined by the number of years you’ve been with your employer. It is seven days for fresh graduates, and eight to 14 days respectively for two to eight years and beyond. That is indeed low, where most companies offer much more than this bare minimum, as most startups and SMEs offer 12 to 14 days of annual leave. Larger employers like MNCs and the government can offer a decent package of 18 to 21 days of annual leave.

When it comes to medical leave, most companies pay for 14 days of sick leave yearly, but there are also companies that will offer more. Hospitalization Leave is generally 60 days, and this is usually inclusive of the days taken for the typical outpatient sick leave. Depending on the company, marriage leave, compassionate leave, and parental care leave can be thrown into your offer package as well.

What is the MOM Notice Period?

Notice period refers to the amount of notice you must allow for your employer when you want to quit. For those that have worked for a duration of below 26 weeks, the minimum is one day, but it is rarely that lenient. It is usually much shorter for those under probation, and around one to two months for the average entry-level roles. The termination clause works both ways, but in the case where the company wants to fire you, they will usually have to pay the one to two months’ worth of salary. Read more about the notice period policy on MOM’s website.

Singapore public holidays, Off-in-lieu, and Working hours

Companies in Singapore generally follow a five-day working week, but some jobs may require working during the weekends. This is dependent on the type of industry and is usually the case for shift work. According to labor laws, if a public holiday falls on a non-working day like Saturday, the company has to pay you back with either one day off or a day’s worth of salary. Those that fall on Sundays will automatically call for a holiday the next day.  Also, don’t forget to check whether you’re entitled to overtime pay by looking on the MOM website!

Travel distance and Transportation

Be sure to take into consideration the location of your prospective job, as long distances to and fro every day can really take a toll on your health and well-being, as well as your wallet. For instance, taking the MRT from Raffles Place station to Jurong East station costs $1.53, while taking a train from Jurong East station all the way to the Expo station is $1.89, which adds up to be $7.92 more each month!

Dress Code

Dress code largely depends on the industry you’re in, but you are likely to have to purchase some new clothes for your new job. Women can get away more easily with this, but for the men, a complete set of work shirts, pants, and shoes, can easily set you back with a cost of over $100.

Daily Meals

Once you start your working life, you’re most definitely going to eat meals outside during your lunch break. If your working spot is near malls or fancy eateries, you’re probably going to be spending quite a bit on lunch if you eat out regularly. To get around this, you can consider getting food subscriptions, or make the effort to meal prep.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are indeed various things to consider when it comes to accepting a job offer. Take the time to really think through these factors, and decide rationally if you are able to accept some trade-offs. While job hunting is seriously no easy stuff, it doesn’t imply that you should just accept any offer that comes your way! Be sure to do ample research to ensure that you are not settling for less; especially if you know that you have the right skill set for the job and deserve to be paid more.