PART 1: 2025 Fresh Graduate Salaries in Singapore – Key Trends and Insights

Home / Articles / PART 1: 2025 Fresh Graduate Salaries in Singapore – Key Trends and Insights

PART 1: 2025 Fresh Graduate Salaries in Singapore – Key Trends and Insights

GeneralMarch 01, 2025 09:00

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our two-part blog series exploring fresh graduate salaries in Singapore for 2025. In Part 1, we delve into new employment data—covering both university and polytechnic graduates—and highlight key salary trends, top-paying degrees, and employment patterns. Part 2 will examine hiring trends, future projections, and strategies for employers and jobseekers to navigate the evolving market. Stay tuned!

Introduction

Singapore’s economy may be experiencing cautious hiring sentiments, yet fresh graduate salaries have continued to rise in many fields. The 2024 Graduate Employment Survey (GES) data (released in early 2025) indicates a dip in overall full-time employment rates but an uptick in median monthly salaries. In this article, we break down the latest numbers, spotlight the best-paying degrees, and discuss what these statistics mean for both local and expatriate jobseekers.

1. Overall Employment & Salary Trends

1.1 University Graduates

Full-Time Permanent Employment:
— Dropped from 84.1% (2023) to 79.5% (2024)
Unemployment (actively seeking work):
— Increased from 10.4% (2023) to 12.9% (2024)
Median Gross Monthly Salary:
— Rose from SGD 4,317 (2023) to SGD 4,500 (2024)

Although fewer graduates secured full-time roles, those who did enjoyed higher pay. This signals a competitive but rewarding job market—where top talent can command higher salaries.

1.2 Polytechnic Graduates

Full-Time Permanent Employment:
— 54.6% (2024), down from almost 60% (2023)
Median Gross Monthly Salary:
— Increased from SGD 2,800 (2023) to SGD 2,900 (2024)

With 87.5% of poly graduates overall (including part-time/freelance roles) finding employment within six months of graduation, it remains crucial to note that many opted for further studies or temporary work that can still provide valuable experience and eventual upward salary mobility.

2. Which Degrees Pay the Most?

From the official Ministry of Education (MOE) Graduate Employment Surveys, here are some of the higher-paying bachelor’s degrees from the National University of Singapore (NUS). Figures below reference gross monthly salary (median) for full-time permanent roles unless otherwise indicated. Keep in mind that salary distributions vary (mean vs. median vs. 75th percentile).

Degree	Median Gross Salary (SGD)	75th Percentile (SGD)
Bachelor of Business Administration (NUS)	5,100	8,500
Bachelor of Computing (Computer Science) (NUS)	6,400	7,500
Bachelor of Computing (Information Security) (NUS)	6,110	7,049
Bachelor of Laws (NUS)	7,000	7,000
Bachelor of Computing (Information Systems) (NUS)	6,000	6,955
Bachelor of Science (Data Science & Analytics) (NUS)	5,400	6,600
Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering) (NUS)	5,500	6,666

Tip: These numbers exclude bonuses, employer CPF contributions, and stock options. So, actual total compensation could be significantly higher for top performers.

3. Top 10 Fresh Graduate Jobs By Starting Pay

Based on aggregated insights from the GES data and industry observations, here are 10 roles commonly offering higher-than-average entry salaries in Singapore’s 2025 market:

1. Software Engineer / Developer
2. Data Scientist / Data Analyst
3. Cybersecurity Analyst
4. AI / Machine Learning Engineer
5. Management Consultant
6. Corporate Banking Analyst
7. UX/UI Designer
8. Biomedical Research Associate
9. Digital Marketing Specialist
10. Legal Associate (from recognised law programs)

While these roles have strong earning potential, your actual pay will also depend on individual performance, internship experiences, and employer brand.

4. Why Are Salaries Rising Despite Lower Employment Rates?

1. Skills Shortages: High-demand fields such as tech and business analytics continue to face talent gaps, driving up salaries for qualified candidates.
2. Economic Restructuring: Post-pandemic restructuring has led companies to adopt AI and digitalisation, opening up specialised tech roles that command premium pay.
3. Global Competition: International firms set up regional HQs here, offering globally competitive compensation, which pushes local pay scales higher.

5. Implications for Local & Expat Jobseekers

Local Graduates: Emphasise in-demand skill sets (e.g., coding, AI, digital marketing) and real-world experience (internships, apprenticeships).
Expat Jobseekers: Showcase regional experience, relevant visas (e.g., Employment Pass), and unique skill sets that differentiate you from the local talent pool.
Polytechnic Graduates: With median salaries rising, there are promising career paths—particularly in health sciences, IT, and digital technologies—even if you start with a diploma.

6. Key Takeaways

Employment Rates are lower, but median salaries are higher, emphasising the importance of specialised skills and professional agility.
Tech and business analytics degrees continue to dominate the highest salary brackets.
Polytechnic grads can also leverage upskilling and relevant internship experiences for stronger entry-level offers.
Both local and expat candidates benefit from niche expertise in fast-growing sectors—especially in AI, data science, healthcare, and green energy.

(All data accurate as of 27 February 2025. For more details, please refer to the official surveys and the respective university websites.)

Stay Tuned for Part 2!

In Part 2 of this series, we’ll examine hiring trends and salary projections, provide advice for employers on refining recruitment strategies, and share practical tips for fresh graduates to improve their employability and salary negotiation outcomes.

About Reeracoen Singapore

Reeracoen Singapore is a leading recruitment agency in Singapore and across Asia, connecting the right talent with the right opportunities. Whether you’re a fresh graduate looking for your first big break or an employer seeking top-tier candidates, we’re here to help.

Seeking Your Next Career Opportunity?

Submit your CV — Our trusted Career Consultants will review your resume and contact you if we find a position that matches your profile!

Looking to Hire?

Please fill in this Inquiry Form — our Recruitment Consultants will be in touch with you soon!

Disclaimer:

The information provided in our blog articles is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon as such.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the ever-evolving nature of certain topics may result in content becoming outdated or inaccurate over time. Therefore, we recommend consulting with qualified professionals or experts in the respective fields for specific advice or guidance. Any actions taken based on the information contained in our blog articles are solely at the reader's discretion and risk. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, or adverse consequences incurred as a result of such actions.

We may occasionally provide links to external websites or resources for further information or reference. These links are provided for convenience and do not imply endorsement or responsibility for the content or accuracy of these external sources. Our blog articles may also include personal opinions, views, or interpretations of the authors, which do not necessarily reflect the views of our organisation as a whole. We encourage readers to verify the accuracy and relevance of information presented in our blog articles and to seek professional advice when needed. Your use of this website and its content constitutes acceptance of this disclaimer.

References & Useful Links

1. Ministry of Education, Singapore: Graduate Employment Survey Data

2. NUS – 2024 GES and Follow-Up GES Data

3. Polytechnic Graduate Employment Survey 2024

4. The Straits Times: “Fewer Fresh Poly Grads Secure Full-Time Jobs in 2024, But Take Home Higher Pay”

5. The Straits Times: “Fewer Uni Graduates in 2024 Found Full-Time Work, But They Had Higher Pay”

6. Maybank & OCBC Economists’ Remarks on the Singapore Economy

7. Ministry of Education, Singapore: Graduate Employment Survey Data

8. National University of Singapore – 2024 GES Highlights

9. Latest Polytechnic Graduate Employment Survey 2024

10. The Straits Times Coverage on Polytechnic GES 2024

11. The Straits Times Coverage on University GES 2024