Singapore Salary Guide 2026: The Skills & Sectors to Watch

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

A Stable Labour Market with Selective Momentum

Singapore’s labour market remained resilient through 2025, with employment expanding by 24,800 in Q3 2025 and unemployment steady at 2.0%.

According to the Reeracoen Singapore Salary Guide 2026, the recovery was uneven yet positive — domestically oriented sectors such as Health & Social Services and Financial Services expanded, while outward-oriented industries like Information & Communications and Professional Services slowed.

The guide forecasts 4.0 – 4.3% average salary growth in 2026, reflecting a market cooling into sustainable balance. For employers, that means competing through retention and skill development — not just pay rises.

Key Highlights from Reeracoen’s 2026 Salary Guide

• Employment Growth: +24,800 in Q3 2025 (MOM data).
• Wage Forecast: 4.0 – 4.3% average increase for 2026.
• Manufacturing Turnover: 26% in 2025 — highest among major sectors.
• Data Coverage: 140,000 verified data points across 15 industries (Sep 2024 – Sep 2025).
• Skills in Demand: AI, Cybersecurity, ESG, and Cross-Border Language Talent.

(Sources: Reeracoen Singapore Salary Guide 2026; MOM Labour Market Advance Release 3Q 2025)

1️⃣ Healthcare & Life Sciences — Singapore’s Strongest Sector

With population ageing and medical tourism rising, healthcare employment continues to grow in both public and private settings.

Salary increments in 2026 are expected around 6%, driven by shortages in nursing, clinical research, and biotech roles.

Specialists in health informatics and AI-based diagnostics will see some of the highest premium offers.

2️⃣ Information Technology & Software — AI and Automation Dominate

AI integration remains the top driver of recruitment.

Demand for AI Engineers, Prompt Specialists, and Data Scientists is expected to rise by 4 – 6% in salary terms.

Employers are pairing AI literacy programmes with selective in-house upskilling to close talent gaps instead of expanding headcount aggressively.

3️⃣ Banking & Finance — Digital Trust and ESG Expertise

The financial sector remains steady with projected salary growth of 3 – 5%.

Roles involving tokenisation, AI-driven risk analytics, and ESG compliance are commanding above-market rates.

MAS’s digital-asset and AI assurance frameworks are expanding demand for cyber risk and governance talent.

4️⃣ Manufacturing & Semiconductors — Retention Over Recruitment

After a 26% turnover rate in 2025, manufacturers are prioritising career path and benefit redesign over rapid hiring.

The sector still expects around 4% wage growth, supported by regional supply-chain investments and the return of advanced engineering roles.

5️⃣ Sustainability & Green Economy — Growth Across Functions

As Singapore advances its Green Plan 2030, the number of ESG and sustainability roles continues to rise.

ESG Managers and Carbon-Accounting Analysts remain among the most in-demand hires for 2026, with salaries rising 5 – 6% on average.

These positions now span engineering, finance, and corporate functions — not only environmental departments.

6️⃣ Cross-Border & Bilingual Talent — Premium Still Strong

Japanese-, Mandarin-, and Thai-speaking professionals remain in short supply.

The Japanese-language premium ranges from 8 – 30%, especially in finance, manufacturing, and customer-facing roles.

This mirrors Singapore’s strategic gateway position between Japan and ASEAN markets.

7️⃣ Marketing, HR & Professional Services — Focus on ROI and Retention

Salary growth remains moderate (2 – 3%) as firms tie bonuses to digital ROI and people-strategy outcomes.

However, HR Transformation Managers and Employer Brand Specialists are seeing rising demand as companies shift toward skills-based assessment frameworks under SkillsFuture 2026.

Top Skills Shaping Singapore’s 2026 Workforce

Category	Hiring Focus	Emerging Role Examples
Artificial Intelligence & Data	Process automation & analytics	Prompt Engineer/AI Analyst
Cybersecurity & Compliance	Digital trust & regulation	Cyber Risk Manager/Compliance Lead
Sustainability & ESG	Green projects & reporting	ESG Officer/Carbon Analyst
Leadership & People Strategy	Upskilling & culture change	HR Transformation Manager
Bilingual & Cross-Border Talent	Japan-ASEAN liaison roles	Bilingual Account Manager

Singapore in 2026: The Quality Era of Hiring

Wage growth may slow, but employers are evolving from “hiring fast” to “hiring right.”

The labour market is entering a quality era — valuing skills, adaptability, and career longevity over rapid expansion.

Firms that combine competitive pay with continuous learning will win both trust and talent in 2026.

 

📊 Download the Singapore Salary Guide 2026 to benchmark your compensation plans and recruitment strategy.

🤝 Contact Reeracoen consultants for personalised salary and hiring insights. 

 

✅ Final Author Credit
By Valerie Ong (Regional Marketing Manager)
Published by Reeracoen Singapore — a leading recruitment agency in APAC.

🔗 Related Articles

• From Recovery to Reality: Singapore’s 2026 Hiring Outlook
• 5 Pay Trends Every Employer Should Know for 2026
• Bilingual Advantage: The Japanese Language Premium in Singapore

References

• Reeracoen Singapore Salary Guide 2026
• Ministry of Manpower — Labour Market Advance Release 3Q 2025
• MTI / MAS — Consumer Price Developments (Sept 2025)
• Enterprise Singapore — Industry Transformation Maps Update 2025

 

 

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