Singapore salaries are set to rise 3-5% through 2026

Companies that adopt skills-based hiring approaches and data-driven insights are better positioned to attract and retain talent.

Salary growth in Singapore is expected to average 3% to 5% in 2025 and 2026, with outcomes varying widely by sector and skill set, according to PERSOL.

Technology roles are set to see the strongest wage gains, with salaries for specialists in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud engineering projected to rise 8% to 12%. PERSOL noted that remote and flexible work arrangements continue to influence candidate expectations in the tech sector.

In financial services, premiums are emerging for talent combining finance expertise with AI automation, ESG compliance capabilities, and hybrid operations experience.

Healthcare and life sciences employers are increasing hiring for clinical researchers, regulatory affairs specialists, and medtech engineers, with more hybrid roles appearing across the sector.

Professional services firms are posting steady salary growth and placing greater value on cross-disciplinary skills, including sustainability advisory, compliance, and digital transformation.

Manufacturing and engineering continue to shift toward precision and advanced manufacturing, with strong demand for robotics, industrial automation, and Industry 4.0 skill sets.

Digitalisation and sustainability trends are driving hiring in transport and logistics, supporting roles such as logistics technologists, supply-chain optimisation specialists, and operations managers.

In construction, salary growth is moderate, but specialists in green building and digital construction tools such as BIM are seeing higher premiums.

Retail and F&B wages continue to recover, bolstered by the Progressive Wage Model, with stronger demand for omnichannel retail strategists and niche culinary talent.

PERSOL said companies that adopt skills-based hiring approaches, data-driven insights, and more agile work models will be better positioned to attract and retain talent.