Hiring & Employment in Singapore: 2025 Guide
Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Singapore.
Capital
Singapore (city-state)
Currency
Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Official Language
English (working language); Malay (national), Mandarin, Tamil
Key Industries
Technology, financial services, logistics, biomedical, advanced manufacturing, professional services
Business Climate Overview
Singapore remains a global business hub with world-class infrastructure, strong rule of law, and a pro-innovation environment supported by government grants and trade connectivity. Its main challenges are high operating costs, wage pressures, and exposure to global trade volatility, which push firms to focus on efficiency and sustainability.
Economic Hub
Singapore (city-state) - a global financial center and regional headquarters for multinational corporations.
Key Industries
Technology, financial services, logistics, biomedical, advanced manufacturing, and professional services
Talent Market & Recruitment
Workforce & In-demand Roles
Highly educated, multilingual, strong tech & finance talent
- • Software & data specialists
- • Cybersecurity professionals
- • Product managers
- • Finance/treasury experts
- • Compliance specialists
- • Sales/marketing professionals
Hiring Channels
Job Boards:
LinkedIn, MyCareersFuture, JobStreet
Recruitment Agencies:
Michael Page, Randstad, Robert Half
Employment Regulations
Written Contracts
Employers must issue Key Employment Terms (KETs) in writing to eligible employees (e.g., employed ≥14 days). KETs cover job, pay, hours, leave, etc.
Probation Periods
Commonly 3–6 months (not mandated by statute)
Public Holidays
11 gazetted public holidays (e.g., New Year's Day, CNY, Hari Raya, Deepavali). Those covered under Part 4 of the Employment Act are entitled to overtime pay and regulated hours.
Annual Leave
Statutory minimum for EA-covered employees starts at 7 days after 12 months' service, increasing with tenure up to 14 days.
Termination & Severance
Pro-rated rules apply for termination and severance calculations based on tenure and employment terms.
Compensation, Tax & Social Security
CPF Contributions
Mandatory for citizens/PRs; typical full-rate employer up to 17% and employee up to 20% (≤55 yrs), with age-tiered rates and a revised salary ceiling from 1 Jan 2025.
Overtime Pay:
For eligible EA employees: at least 1.5× basic hourly rate for OT; specific rules for rest days/PHs.
Tax Rates
Personal Income Tax:
Progressive resident rates (top marginal currently 24%)
GST:
9% (effective 2024–2025)
Bonuses:
Variable bonus common; 13th-month (AWS) at employer discretion
Salary Benchmarks by Industry
| Industry / Role | Junior (entry–mid) | Senior (experienced) |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer / Developer | SGD 8.8k–10.5k | SGD 15k–20.8k+ |
| Front-end / Back-end / Full-stack | SGD 10.5k–11.7k | SGD 15k–22k+ |
| Digital Marketing | SGD 6k–8.3k | SGD 18k–23k+ |
| Engineering / Manufacturing / Construction | SGD 6k–7.5k | SGD 15k–25k+ |
| Human Resources | SGD 9.3k–12.5k | SGD 23k–25k+ |
| Finance / Accounting / Banking | SGD 6.7k–8.3k | SGD 16.7k–20.8k+ |
| Graphic Design / Creative | SGD 8.3k–10k | SGD 13.2k–22k+ |
| Healthcare (Doctors, Nurses, Pharma) | SGD 5k–6.5k | SGD 20.8k–25k+ |
| Real Estate / Sales | SGD 5k–7.5k (commissions) | SGD 18.2k–20k+ (commissions) |
| Management / Leadership | N/A | SGD 25k–41.7k+ (wide variance) |
Payroll & Immigration
Payroll Cycle
Monthly is standard; itemised payslips required under EA
Work Permits
Employment Pass (EP), S Pass, Work Permit; employer sponsorship required (quotas/levies may apply)
Options for Hiring in Singapore
Employer of Record (EOR)
Local partner employs on your behalf
Local Payroll Providers
Process payroll, CPF, IRAS filings
Independent Contractors
Possible; ensure correct classification
Local Entity Setup
Incorporate for full control & direct hiring
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