Editor’s Note: Welcome back to our two-part series on fresh graduate salaries in Singapore. In Part 1, we highlighted the latest salary data and discussed factors influencing the job market. Part 2 digs deeper into hiring trends, future salary projections, and actionable strategies for both employers and local/expat jobseekers. Let’s get started!

1. 2025 Hiring & Salary Outlook

Despite economic uncertainties, Singapore’s job market continues to offer competitive salaries for the right candidates. Here’s what we expect for 2025:

1.1 Tech Continues to Dominate: Roles in cybersecurity, AI, and data science will stay hot, with salaries potentially rising by another 5% to 10%.

1.2 Healthcare & Life Sciences: Ongoing investments in biomedical research and public health infrastructure translate to robust hiring of fresh graduates in nursing, medical tech, and pharma.

1.3 Green Economy Boom: Sustainability-focused jobs in renewable energy, environmental engineering, and green finance are on the rise—especially as Singapore transitions to a greener economy.

1.4 Marketing & E-commerce: Demand for digital marketing, UX design, and e-commerce management is expected to remain strong, buoyed by the shift in consumer behaviour.

2. Employer Insights: Hiring Top Fresh Grads

Here are five key strategies employers can adopt to attract top graduate talent:

2.1 Competitive Compensation Packages

• Monitor market benchmarks regularly.
• Offer structured career progression and intangible perks (flexibility, training).

2.2 Emphasis on Career Development

• Provide on-the-job training or mentorship programs that resonate with Gen Z’s desire for growth.

2.3 Work with Recruitment Agencies

• Partner with specialised recruitment agencies (such as Reeracoen) to tap into pre-vetted fresh talent pools.
• Leverage industry expertise to refine job descriptions and attract the right candidates.
• Utilise agencies to streamline hiring through market insights, salary benchmarking, and candidate screening.

2.4 Brand Storytelling

• Showcase organisational culture and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to resonate with socially conscious graduates.

2.5 Flexible Work Arrangements

• Hybrid or remote options can be a huge pull factor for digital-savvy young professionals.

3. Candidate Tips: Maximising Your Fresh Graduate Salary

3.1 Build In-Demand Skills

• Focus on coding, data analysis, AI or digital marketing certifications.
• Take advantage of government-supported courses (e.g., SkillsFuture) or company-sponsored workshops.

3.2 Gain Relevant Experience Early

• Internships, apprenticeships, or part-time roles can help you stand out.
• Join competitions (e.g., hackathons, case challenges) to showcase real-world problem-solving abilities.

3.3 Develop a Strong Personal Brand

• Keep a professional LinkedIn profile.
• Highlight key achievements and portfolio work (GitHub for coders, design portfolios for creatives).

3.4 Negotiate Strategically

• Research industry salary ranges using GES data and reputable recruitment sites.
• Emphasise your unique selling points—projects, leadership roles, or specialised skills.

3.5 Stay Agile & Open-Minded

• Economic shifts may alter which industries hire aggressively.
• Transferable skills (problem-solving, communication) can help you pivot faster if needed.

4. Top 10 Emerging Roles for Fresh Graduates
Beyond the high-paying roles we listed in Part 1, here are 10 emerging positions that might see significant growth in 2025:

1. Sustainability Analyst / Green Finance Specialist
2. Health Informatics Officer
3. Digital Supply Chain Coordinator
4. Product Manager (Tech)
5. AI Data Trainer / Prompt Engineer
6. Clinical Research Coordinator (Healthcare)
7. AR/VR Developer
8. Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst
9. Climate Risk Consultant (Insurance/Banking)
10. Tech Sales Executive

5. Special Considerations for Expatriates

• Visa Requirements: Stay informed on changes to Employment Pass (EP) requirements, including the new POINTS system pilot.
• Local Network: Cultivate connections with Singapore-based recruiters (such as Reeracoen), business chambers, and alumni networks.
• Cultural Adaptation: Demonstrate familiarity with local customs, languages, and business etiquette to ease integration and stand out.

6. How Reeracoen Singapore Can Help

• For Employers: We streamline recruitment processes—from talent sourcing to onboarding—to help you secure the best graduate talent in a competitive market.
• For Graduates: Our consultants provide personalised career advice, resume tuning, and job matching, ensuring you land a role that meets your career aspirations and salary goals.

Conclusion

The 2025 fresh graduate market in Singapore is shaped by two main forces:

1. Higher skill demands driving up salaries, and

2. Cautious hiring leading to a tighter job market.

Employers who adapt swiftly—offering competitive packages and growth paths—will stand out to new graduates, while savvy jobseekers who invest in in-demand skills and experience can command higher starting salaries. Whether you’re a local grad or an expat professional, remember that career success stems from continuous learning, adaptability, and strategic planning.

(All data is accurate as of 27 February 2025. For the latest updates, refer to official MOE and university reports.)

End of Part 2. Thank you for reading!

 

About Reeracoen Singapore

Reeracoen Singapore is a leading recruitment agency in Singapore and Asia. Our expert consultants specialise in connecting companies with exceptional candidates across multiple industries—from tech to banking, healthcare to marketing.

Need tailored hiring solutions or looking for your dream job?

Contact Reeracoen Singapore today and let us be your trusted partner in talent acquisition and career advancement.

 

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!

OR

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.

Sources & Further Reading

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

12. Ministry of Education (MOE) – Graduate Employment Survey Reports

13. Channel NewsAsia – Latest Coverage on Employment Trends

14. The Straits Times – News and Insights on Graduate Employment

15. Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) – Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices

16. Reeracoen Singapore – Recruitment & Career Insights

17. Graduate Employment Survey 2024/2025 - https://www.moe.gov.sg/-/media/files/post-secondary/ges-2024/web-publication-nus-ges-2024.pdf

18. Fewer fresh poly grads secure full-time jobs in 2024, but take home higher pay - https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/fewer-fresh-poly-grads-secure-full-time-jobs-in-2024-after-graduation-but-take-home-higher-pay

19. Fewer uni graduates in 2024 found full-time work, but they had higher pay: Survey - https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/fewer-uni-graduates-in-2024-found-full-time-work-though-more-had-higher-pay-survey

20. Job opportunities for fresh grads in sectors like tech, marketing and healthcare in 2025: HR experts - https://www.straitstimes.com/business/job-opportunities-for-fresh-grads-in-sectors-like-tech-marketing-and-healthcare-in-2025-hr-experts

21. Fewer S'pore fresh grads found jobs in 2024, but median starting salaries rose: Survey - https://mothership.sg/2025/02/uni-fresh-grads-survey-jobs-salary/

22. Full-time employment opportunity falls to 79.5% for fresh graduates in S’pore, survey finds - https://hrsea.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/full-time-employment-opportunity-falls-to-79-5-for-fresh-graduates-in-spore-survey-finds/118531408

23. Singapore MOE list of degrees that pay S$7,000 or more to the top 25% of fresh graduates - https://vulcanpost.com/882194/singapore-moe-list-degrees-pay-7000-or-more-fresh-graduates/#google_vignette

24. Career Starter Programme for Fresh Graduates - https://www.wsg.gov.sg/home/individuals/attachment-placement-programmes/career-starter-programme-for-fresh-graduates