Singapore’s top high-paying jobs for young professionals in 2025

Starting out in your career often comes with endless questions – what’s the right path, which skills matter most, and, of course, which roles pay well? For Singaporeans aged 25 to 29, recent data from the Ministry of Manpower offers some clarity.

The Occupational Wage Survey, conducted from July to December 2024 across 407,800 full-time private-sector employees, sheds light on gross monthly wages – covering base pay, overtime, commissions, and regular allowances – for a wide range of occupations.

What does ‘gross median monthly wage’ mean?

Gross median monthly wage refers to the middle point of reported monthly earnings before deductions such as income tax or employee CPF contributions. “Gross” includes base salary, overtime, commissions, and regular allowances, while the “median” indicates that half of employees earn more and half earn less than this amount.

It is often considered more reliable than the mean because it is less affected by extremely high or low salaries, providing a clearer picture of typical earnings.

What is an excellent salary in Singapore?

While the definition of “excellent” depends on lifestyle and personal circumstances, data from the Ministry of Manpower released in August 2025 puts the median gross monthly income for full-time resident employees at $5,500, including employer CPF contributions.

Which profession has the highest salary in Singapore?

Among young professionals aged 25–29 in the private sector, high-paying roles are typically found in finance, technology, law, and specialised engineering. These include positions such as software and application managers, in-house lawyers, foreign exchange dealers, and certain management-track roles, where gross monthly wages surpass most other early-career opportunities.

Does public sector employment offer comparable salaries?

Public sector roles and additional perks such as bonuses or stock options are excluded from this Occupational Wage Survey, and direct comparisons with private-sector wages should be made cautiously.

Nevertheless, the survey provides a compelling snapshot of where early-career professionals can command the strongest salaries today. From tech to finance, these are the positions where young talent is currently most valued – and most generously compensated.

Disclaimer: The data presented represent the median monthly gross wages of common occupations by age and establishment size across all industries. These figures gathered from individuals who disclosed their salaries, are commonly used for salary benchmarking. The Occupational Wage tables from MOM provide insights into the wages of over 400 occupations, focusing on full-time resident employees.

The data reflect basic and gross wages – including overtime, commissions, and regular allowances – but exclude bonuses, employer CPF contributions, stock options, other lump-sum payments, and payments in kind. Year-on-year comparisons are discouraged, as wage changes may fluctuate due to sample variations. Data may also be suppressed where observations are too few to maintain confidentiality.

Software and applications manager

Gross median monthly wage: ~$8,349

A software and applications manager oversees teams that design, develop, and maintain software solutions, ensuring projects meet business goals and deadlines. Their combination of technical expertise and project management responsibilities means that early-career managers often earn competitive salaries.

In-house legal counsel, except judiciary, ministries and statutory boards

Gross median monthly wage: ~$8,276

In-house legal counsel provides advice to companies on contracts, compliance, and corporate governance, helping to manage risk and support business decisions.

Being qualified to practise law in Singapore – a competitive process, which can take up to seven years – and handling complex legal matters may contribute to higher compensation even at an early stage of one’s career.

Foreign exchange dealer

Gross median monthly wage: ~$7,404

A foreign exchange dealer buys and sells currencies on behalf of clients or financial institutions, monitoring market trends and managing risk. This role typically requires strong analytical skills, a background in finance or economics, and professional qualifications such as CFA can enhance career prospects.

The specialised nature of trading and the potential impact on an organisation’s profits may explain the relatively strong pay for young professionals in this role.

Software developer

Gross median monthly wage: ~$7,179 

Software developers design, code, and test applications or systems, collaborating with teams to solve technical problems. While no mandatory certifications are technically required, degrees in computer science or IT and proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++ are essential.

High demand for coding and technical problem-solving skills in Singapore’s technology sector can lead to attractive salaries for early-career developers.

Treasury manager

Gross median monthly wage: $7,051 

Treasury managers oversee an organisation’s liquidity, investments, and financial risk, ensuring that sufficient funds are available for operations while optimising returns. A strong understanding of corporate finance and cash flow management is essential, and qualifications such as a CFA or relevant finance degree are often advantageous.

The responsibility of managing corporate finances and risk exposure may be a factor in the competitive pay seen for professionals in their mid- to late twenties.

Audit manager

Gross median monthly wage: $7,025 

Audit managers lead teams in examining financial statements and internal controls, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements. Professional accounting qualifications are typically required, along with strong analytical and leadership skills.

Their combination of technical accounting expertise and leadership responsibilities likely contributes to above-average salaries for early-career auditors.

Financial product structurer

Gross median monthly wage: $6,865 

Financial product structurers design and implement complex investment products, including derivatives and structured notes, tailored to client needs. A background in finance, mathematics, or engineering is needed, with credentials like CFA or FRM providing an advantage.

The quantitative and analytical skills required in this specialised finance role may help explain why young professionals in this area earn relatively high salaries.

Database architect

Gross median monthly wage: $6,767 

Database architects design and manage an organisation’s database systems, ensuring data is secure, accurate, and optimised for performance. Proficiency in SQL and database platforms is essential.

Given the centrality of these systems to business operations, professionals in this role may receive competitive remuneration even early in their careers.

Strategic planning manager

Gross median monthly wage: $6,730 

Strategic planning managers develop long-term business strategies by analysing market trends, competitor activity, and internal performance metrics. Strong analytical skills and business acumen are required, and degrees in business, economics, or management, as well as MBAs, can strengthen candidacy for senior roles.

The potential influence of their work on organisational decision-making could be one factor behind the higher salaries observed for young professionals in this field.

Cyber risk specialist

Gross median monthly wage: $6,675 

Cyber risk specialists assess and mitigate cybersecurity threats, develop policies, and monitor the security landscape to protect company data and assets. Expertise in IT security, networks, and compliance is essential, and professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CEH are often necessary.

As organisations increasingly prioritise digital security, professionals in this role may receive relatively strong compensation in the early stages of their careers.