Singapore lacks a national minimum wage, unlike many countries. Instead, it employs intelligent systems, such as the Progressive Wage Model for low-paid workers and salary regulations for foreign workers, to ensure fairness.
Currently, the discussion is very much alive in late 2025 as people talk about the effects of rising wages, the government encouraging better pay in certain sectors, and the high cost of living. Being aware of the true situation will not only help workers to plan but also keep the employers in fair practice.
No Minimum Wage for the Whole Country
In Singapore, the market is the primary determiner of most salaries. This scenario maintains job flexibility and competitiveness. However, targeted rules exist to protect the rights of workers in low-wage jobs and also promote their skill development.
The Progressive Wage Model Explained
The PWM provides a baseline pay in such fields as cleaning, security, and food services. Moreover, it connects higher salaries directly to training and productivity.
For instance, in the coming year of 2025, the basic pay of cleaners may range from SG$1,900 to S$2,300 according to the nature of the job. Simultaneously, as they become more skilled, their pay will also increase.
Salary Rules for Foreign Workers
Overseas workers are obliged to conform to a certain basic salary criterion before they can be granted a work permit. Starting in 2025, Employment Pass will be S$5,600 (or S$6,200 in finance) and S Pass will be S$3,300.
On the other hand, Work Permits do not have any fixed minimum salary, but the employer has to pay fairly to the worker, and also in some sectors, the majority of low-wage foreign workers earn according to the prevailing sector norms.
What Workers Really Get
The approximate S$5,800 median monthly gross income of full-time residents in 2025 inclusive of the employer’s CPF contribution.
This signifies that half earn more and the other half earn less. It is a decent indicator of the nature of the labor market.
Salaries Across Different Sectors
Salaries are widely different. Meanwhile, tech and finance often end up with more than S$8,000 as the median salary, whereas the retail or food services sector is at the lower end, approximately S$3,000 to S$4,000.
Low-Wage Workers’ Reality
Some workers in the cleaning or security sectors may get about S$2,000 to S$3,000 after all the deductions. The government support through programs like Workfare is one of the contributors to the monthly wage.
Median Salaries by Industry (2025 Estimates)
Approximately here are the median gross monthly incomes for full-time residents in the table:
| Sector | Median Monthly Income (S$) |
|---|---|
| Financial Services | 7,800 |
| Technology | 8,450 |
| Professional Services | 7,800 |
| Manufacturing | 6,000 |
| Retail/Food Services | 3,000 – 4,000 |
| Cleaning/Security | 2,000 – 3,000 |
| Overall Median | 5,800 |
Why It Matters for You
Having knowledge of these numbers is a great advantage when it comes to salary negotiations or financial planning. Owing to the CPF and the income tax, the actual take-home amounts are usually 70-80% of the gross.
Ways of Increasing Your Income
Do not hesitate to take up skills upgrade programs; many are offered at a lower cost. Search for PWM-covered positions that offer regular salary increments.
The pay system in Singapore emphasizes skills and equity rather than a universal minimum. While the highest earners have a good life, the lowest paid workers in the industry benefit from the support of the different and targeted systems.
Keep checking the MOM website for updates on the latest PWM ladders or salary benchmarks. If you are in the process of job hunting or pay review, compare your offer to the medians and aim for growth through training.