Retail workers’ wages to rise under new Progressive Wage Model

Entry-level retail workers to earn at least $2,305 from September.

The government has accepted the Tripartite Cluster for Retail’s recommendations on the Retail Progressive Wage Model (PWM) to raise wages for more than 53,000 retail workers over a three-year period from 1 September 2025, to 31 August 2028.

Retail workers will see their monthly wages increase from $2,175 to $2,305 starting September 2025, with further annual increases raising the wage to $2,565 by 2027. Part-time hourly wages will also rise, from $11.41 to $12.09 in 2025, and to $13.45 by 2027.

Senior cashiers and senior retail assistants will get monthly wage increases from $2,395 to $2,535 in 2025, $2,680 in 2026, and $2,820 in 2027, with annual raises of $140 or $145. Their hourly wages will rise from $12.56 to $13.30 in 2025 and continue to increase over the next two years.

Assistant retail supervisors will also see monthly wages go up by $155 in 2025, $160 in 2026, and $150 in 2027, whilst hourly wages will climb from $13.82 to $16.26 over three years.

The 2027 wage levels will be reviewed in 2026 and may be adjusted based on the economy.

In addition to wage increases, the training requirements under the Progressive Wage Model have been expanded to include more Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) modules.

Retail workers holding relevant qualifications from Institutes of Higher Learning or the ITE Skills Subject Certificate in Retail & e-Commerce will also be recognised as meeting the minimum training requirements.

To support employers in managing these wage increases, the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme will provide financial assistance by co-funding up to 40% of wage increases in 2025 and 20% in 2026.

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