Top In-Demand Jobs in Singapore in 2026: Skills, Salaries and Hiring Trends

By Valerie Ong, Regional Marketing Manager
Published by Reeracoen Singapore, a leading recruitment agency in APAC.

Language
This article is written in English for readers in Singapore. Chinese and Japanese translations are available on our website.

Why “In-Demand Jobs” Look Different in 2026

Singapore’s job market in 2026 is not defined by rapid expansion or mass hiring. Instead, demand is increasingly concentrated in specific roles, skills, and functions that support productivity, resilience, and long-term growth.

Insights from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Labour Market Developments 2025, together with findings from Reeracoen Singapore’s Salary Guide 2025–2026, Hiring Manager Survey 2025–2026, and the Singapore Employee Sentiment Study 2026, show a clear shift:

Hiring demand is no longer evenly spread across industries. Employers are prioritising roles that:

• Deliver measurable business impact
• Support digitalisation and compliance
• Strengthen operational efficiency and revenue sustainability

This article highlights:

• The top in-demand jobs in Singapore in 2026
• The skills employers are actively hiring for
• How professionals can position themselves for stronger career and salary outcomes

What’s Driving Job Demand in Singapore in 2026?

Several forces are shaping hiring priorities across Singapore.

1. Slower Growth, Higher Selectivity

MOM data indicates continued employment growth, but at a moderate pace. Employers are hiring more selectively, focusing on roles that directly support business continuity and transformation.

2. Skills Shortages in Key Functions

According to Reeracoen Singapore’s Salary Guide 2025–2026, persistent talent shortages remain in areas such as technology, engineering, risk, and specialised commercial roles.

3. Productivity and Cost Pressures

Hiring managers surveyed in 2025–2026 report greater scrutiny on headcount costs. Roles that improve productivity or reduce risk are prioritised over purely administrative expansion.

Top In-Demand Jobs in Singapore in 2026

1. Technology, Data and Digital Roles

Digital capabilities remain a core hiring priority across industries.

Highly in-demand roles include:

• Data analysts and business intelligence professionals
• AI, automation, and systems specialists
• Cybersecurity and digital risk professionals
• Cloud, infrastructure, and systems integration engineers

Employers are especially interested in professionals who can:

• Translate data into business decisions
• Automate workflows to improve efficiency
• Manage cybersecurity and regulatory risk

Demand is strongest where technical skills are combined with commercial awareness.

2. Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Roles

Singapore’s manufacturing sector continues its shift toward higher-value, technology-driven operations.

In-demand roles include:

• Process and production engineers
• Reliability, quality, and maintenance specialists
• Automation and controls engineers
• Engineering managers with digital exposure

Hiring demand is driven by the need to:

• Improve yield and operational efficiency
• Integrate automation and smart manufacturing systems
• Maintain equipment reliability amid tighter margins

3. Risk, Compliance and Governance Professionals

As regulatory expectations increase, risk and compliance functions remain critical.
Roles seeing strong demand include:

• Risk and compliance managers
• Internal auditors
• Regulatory reporting specialists
• Governance and controls professionals

Hiring managers highlight the high cost of non-compliance and the difficulty of replacing experienced talent as key drivers of demand.

4. Finance, Accounting and Commercial Analysts

While finance hiring is selective, demand remains strong for professionals who support decision-making and financial discipline.

In-demand roles include:

• Financial analysts and FP&A professionals
• Management accountants
• Commercial finance and pricing analysts

Employers value finance professionals who can:

• Partner with business units
• Provide forward-looking insights
• Support cost optimisation and growth planning

5. Revenue-Generating and Strategic Sales Roles

Sales hiring in 2026 is focused on quality over quantity.

In-demand roles include:

• B2B sales professionals with sector expertise
• Key account managers
• Regional business development professionals

Demand is strongest for professionals who:

• Build long-term client relationships
• Understand complex solution selling
• Deliver sustainable revenue rather than short-term wins

Roles Seeing Slower Hiring Momentum

Not all roles are experiencing strong demand.

Hiring growth is more cautious for:

• Generalist administrative roles
• Oversupplied entry-level positions
• Roles with limited scope for skills evolution

Where automation or process redesign is possible, hiring demand tends to soften unless roles expand in responsibility or complexity.

What This Means for Employers

Hiring Must Be Strategic

Employers in 2026 are increasingly:

• Hiring fewer but more specialised professionals
• Prioritising roles tied to productivity, risk, or revenue
• Combining hiring with internal upskilling strategies

Understanding where genuine demand exists helps organisations allocate hiring budgets more effectively.

Competition for Key Skills Remains Strong

In-demand roles often come with:

• Longer hiring timelines
• Higher salary expectations
• Increased retention risk

Early workforce planning and realistic benchmarking are critical.

What This Means for Professionals

In-Demand Skills Drive Career Security

Professionals in high-demand roles typically:

• Possess specialised or scarce skills
• Demonstrate clear business impact
• Continue upgrading their capabilities

Generalist experience alone is increasingly insufficient.

Career Positioning Matters

Professionals should assess:

• Whether their skills align with demand areas
• How transferable their experience is across industries
• What additional capabilities could strengthen employability

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which jobs are most in demand in Singapore in 2026?

Technology, engineering, risk, finance analytics, and strategic sales roles continue to see strong demand.

Are entry-level jobs still available?

Yes, but competition is higher. Entry-level professionals benefit from early skills development and relevant internships.

Do in-demand jobs always pay more?

Not always, but roles with skills scarcity and high business impact tend to offer stronger salary and career progression.

How can professionals move into in-demand roles?

Through targeted upskilling, lateral moves, and aligning experience with market needs.

 

For Employers
👉 Speak with Reeracoen Singapore to identify in-demand roles, benchmark salaries, and plan hiring strategies for 2026. 

 [Talk to our hiring specialists]

For Professionals
👉 Explore current job opportunities and receive career guidance aligned with Singapore’s hiring trends.

 [Submit your CV to Reeracoen Singapore]

 

🔗 Related Articles (Singapore)

You may also find these Reeracoen Singapore articles useful:
Jobs With the Lowest and Highest Expected Pay Raises in Singapore in 2026
Beyond the Paycheque: What Singapore Employees Really Want in 2026
Why Paying More Is No Longer Enough to Retain Talent in Singapore

📚 References

• Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Labour Force in Singapore 2025
• Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Labour Market Developments 2025
• Reeracoen Singapore, Salary Guide 2025–2026
• Reeracoen Singapore, Hiring Manager Survey 2025–2026
• Reeracoen × Rakuten Insight, Singapore Employee Sentiment Study 2026

 

 

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