Top 20 Jobs for Expats in Manila
The Philippines is a popular destination for expats due to its tropical climate, unique culture, and strong economy. It is home to more than 177,000 expats, majority of whom reside in Manila. The cost of living in Manila, including the rent for a small furnished apartment in the city centre, is approximately $900 USD per month. Philippines’ low minimum wage (approximate $180 per month) means that expats can spend less than $2000 per month and live a rather luxurious life.
The city is also welcoming towards foreigners. Expats over the years have unanimously praised the locals for their openness and hospitality. In turn, the expat community has helped build the economy by setting up entrepreneurial businesses, employing locals and providing job opportunities.
However, like any other city, Manila has its pros and cons. On one hand the city offers ample job opportunities due to high concentration of businesses, great social and night life, and a friendly English-speaking community. On the other hand, expats find it hard to adjust to the high levels of pollution and urban population, and perennial traffic.
Thinking of working in Manila? Read on to find out about skills and jobs in demand as well as tips on how to land a job there.
Can I work as an expat in Manila?
A work permit is required for foreign nationals who plan to stay in the Philippines for three months or more. A Special Working Permit (SWP) is required for those who are working in the Philippines on short-term assignments.
An Alien Employment Permit (AEP) is required for any employee who works in the Philippines for longer than six months. You can apply for an AEP if you have already found a job in the Philippines. If you’re looking for a traditional job after you arrive in Manila, however, you will need to submit your documents to the Department of Labor and Employment. Your employer should refer to the same department if they have agreed to submit your application on your behalf. Your AEP’s validity period will depend on the nature of your employment and how long it is valid.
An Alien Employment Registration Certificate (AERC), is required for all expats with a residence permit that allows them to stay in the Philippines indefinitely. This certificate can be obtained from the DOLE’s Regional Office. More information about application requirements can be found at the Bureau of Local Employment. Keep in mind that an AERC can only be used for the job you have applied for with the employer.
What type of skills are in demand for expats in Manila?
1. Statistical analysis skills
The skillset opens many doors for expats working in Manila. Some of the in-demand jobs where statistical analysis is useful are:
- Data Scientist
- Senior Software Engineer – Data Science & Analytics
- Senior Human Factors Specialist
- Freelance Data Analyst
2. Data mining skills
There is no dearth of jobs for seekers who possess data mining skills. Manila offers a plethora of jobs to Data Miners. Some jobs available to you are:
- Data Analyst
- Data Engineer
- Database Administrator
- Machine Learning Engineer
3. Coding skills
We live in a digital age and technology is everywhere. If you’re already on the tech bandwagon and have some serious coding skills, in Manila, like anywhere else in the world, you’ll find ample opportunities. Look into these jobs if coding is second nature to you:
- Full-Stack Developer
- Front-end Developer (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
- Back-end Developer (Python, React, API’s)
- Cyber Security Engineer
4. Database integration skills
Database jobs may be most popular in the IT industry, but they’re not limited to it. If you possess database integration skills, you can think of several jobs such as:
- Business/ Financial analyst
- SQL Developer
- Quality Assurance Tester
- SQL Database Administrator
5. Interpersonal and Communication skills
Since English is spoken and understood by most in Manila, expats with these skills can find jobs in PR, Communications, and Customer Service. Here are some positions to consider:
- Recruitment Specialist
- Sales Manager
- Social Media Specialist
- Project Manager
6. Writing skills
Some may argue that writing skills are a thing of past. But wait till you see the number of opportunities waiting for you if writing comes naturally to you. Following are some popular roles for foreigners in Manila with strong writing skills:
- Editor
- Content Marketing Manager
- Communications Manager
- Technical Writer
7. Teaching skills
Teaching ESL or Foreign languages is quite popular in Manila. If you have the right qualifications and experience, the following roles might just be for you.
- ESL Trainer
- Business English Teacher
- Chinese Language Teacher
8. Organizational and management skills
Is a to-do list your favourite thing to do? Are you meticulous in terms of organization, management, and planning? The following jobs might just interest you.
- Event planner
- PR specialist
- Personal assistant
- Travel Agent
Top 20 jobs for expats in Manila
It takes some creativity and resourcefulness to find a way of staying financially afloat while working abroad. So, here is a list of the top 20 jobs for expats that are available in Manila.
Data scientists uses multiple methods to extract insight and information from structured and unstructured data. The idea of data scientists analyses and collect data to find solutions that help clients to achieve goals, improve services, or sell more products.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Excellent prospects. Ever ready demand for the role. |
| P55,802 per month on an average |
Browse Data Scientist Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
This field requires professionals who can assess the risk and analyze financial data. They must also be able to create and implement programs that increase productivity.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Very good prospects |
| P52,000 per month on an average |
Browse Actuary Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
Full-stack developers have mastered many skills that allow them to build products from the ground up. They are computer programmers with a good understanding of both the front and back ends of coding. They have a wide range of skills, including the ability to create software and websites, as well as develop databases and servers.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
They should be well versed in several programming languages like:
| Excellent prospects. Open positions year-round, |
| P51,241 per month on an average |
Browse Full-Stack Developer Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
Their primary role is to establish IT infrastructure and systems for a company. This includes diagnosing IT problems, inefficiencies, and security threats, among other things. It’s their responsibility to communicate with clients and understand their business requirements in order to come up with the best solution and infrastructure.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Almost 40% of the jobs in the market belong to the IT_ BPM industry. Excellent prospects. |
| P50,666 per month on an average |
Browse IT Consultant Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
Nurses are responsible for following the treatment plan of patients as advised by the doctor, monitoring vital signs as well as overall wellbeing, and providing advice and emotional support to the patient.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Good prospects. Demand is expected to rise with the healthcare industry recovering after the pandemic. |
| P43,100 per month on an average |
Browse Nurse Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
A software programmer is responsible for developing and coding software applications that benefit their clients. They often code, test, and create programs from scratch for clients.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Excellent prospects since the demand for programmers continues to rise all over the Philippines. |
| P42,000 per month on an average |
Browse Software Programmer Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
Social media specialists create engaging and creative content for companies’ various social media platforms. The social media manager will oversee you and you will work closely with the team in digital marketing to develop a social media strategy that promotes brand awareness and customer engagement.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Excellent prospects are given the rapid increase in digital marketing |
| P38,400 per month on an average |
Browse Social Media Specialist Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
An Application Development Analyst is responsible for developing, testing, supporting, maintaining, troubleshooting, and supporting computer-based applications. This job title is often associated with a software engineer, app developer, and software analyst.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Excellent prospects. The role is always in demand. |
| P37,961 per month on an average |
Browse Application Development Analyst Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
A Back End Developer is responsible for adding functionality to the front-end elements of a website, or application. The back end is comprised of applications and databases that run on the server-side (cloud-based, web servers, or a combination thereof). This ensures that the user receives all requested services and information.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Excellent. Several open positions year-round. |
| P33,422 per month on an average |
Browse Back End Developer Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
System analysts create solutions that help businesses, just like the name implies. They are also known as system architects and work with clients or small businesses.
They typically play three roles: support, agent of change, and consultant.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Excellent prospects |
| P30,709 per month on an average |
Browse Systems Analyst Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
A graphic designer primarily determines, assembles and, creates designs for the purpose of publish, print or electronic media in keeping with the vision and scope of the project.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Excellent prospect gave the rise in NFT markets and digitalization of marketing. |
| P30,307 per month on an average |
Browse Graphic Designer Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
An Administration Manager is responsible for ensuring that day-to-day tasks run smoothly. They manage operations and workers to make sure that all tasks and responsibilities are carried out as they should.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Very good prospects. |
| P29,073 per month on an average |
Browse Administration Manager Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
They study and cover the physical characteristics of the planet and its inhabitants. They continue to study and research the solid, liquid, as well as gaseous aspects that the Earth has.
They are often found working in the mining and energy sectors. They are usually looking for natural resources such as petroleum, metals, and natural gas.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Excellent prospects for growth. Phillipines is the 5th richest country in the world in terms of minerals such as copper, gold, and nickel. Mining industry will continue to offer stability. |
| P28,536 per month on an average |
Browse Geologist Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
A Sales Development Representative (SDR), is a sales rep that focuses on qualifying potential clients. They reach out to prospects and ask them about their current needs. Then, they discuss how the company can solve their problems.
They are not focused on closing sales deals. Their job is to find and push potential customers (leads) to the next stage of the sales funnel.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Excellent prospects. The sales industry continues to rise in the Philippines. |
| P26,000 per month on an average |
Browse Sales Development Representative Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
The role of an accountant is to manage all aspects of a company’s finances.
The job includes analysis, compilation, and reporting of financial data, make profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and auditing financial documents, procedures, and other tasks.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Very good prospects. The demand for accountants grows along with the economic growth as it fuels business establishments. |
| P24,688 per month on an average |
Browse Accountant Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
A quality analyst assesses the functionality of a product and checks if the product meets the desired quality standards set by my organization. Part of the job is to also check the reliability of the product before its shipped.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Very good prospects |
| P24,000 per month on an average |
Browse Quality Analyst Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
The main task of a Recruitment Specialist is to find qualified candidates for open positions. They act as the “broker” between the applicant and the hiring manager and coordinate the entire process.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Very good. Thousands of new companies are taking shape in the Philippines every year. To hire new employees, a recruitment specialist is always needed. |
| P22,080 per month on an average |
Browse Recruitment Specialist Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
An ESL trainer can flourish in Manila with the right qualifications and experience. ESL teachers teach English as a second language to non-native speakers of English.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Education is a lucrative industry all over the Philippines. ESL teachers can find job opportunities all year round. |
| P22,500 per month on an average |
Browse ESL Teacher Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
This job includes creating, managing, tracking, improving, and modifying marketing campaigns in various markets. Marketing Specialists are hired by companies to analyze and identify trends at different levels in order to understand what people buy and use.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Excellent prospects. The industry is expected to grow by approximately $70B by 2026 |
| P21,211 per month on an average |
Browse Marketing Specialist Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
These professionals respond to customers through emails and phone calls and walk them through tasks like troubleshooting or helping them by providing useful information, answering questions related to setup, or by responding to complaints.
Skills required | Growth prospects | Companies Hiring | Expected Salary |
| Almost all industries require a virtual helpdesk. Expats will find several opportunities in this role. |
| P20,137 per month on an average |
Browse Customer Care Representative Jobs in Manila on GrabJobs
How to find jobs as an expat in Manila?
While the question may seem overwhelming at first, the process can be made much more relaxing with the right tools. There are several job portals, traditional and niche, which can help foreigners find a job in Manila. These sites offer free as well as paid services educational blogs, career advice, and often templates for CV and Cover Letters, to improve your chances of finding a suitable job.
Here are some popular job sites and portals to explore while hunting for a job:
- GrabJobs: Provides users with one of the largest databases on the internet while providing tools like Application Tracking, educational blogs, and scheduling interviews.
- Jora: Jora is one of the most visited portals in the Asian job market.
- Glassdoor: Glassdoor allows you to search for jobs across all industries.
- The Best Jobs: Don’t let the sub-par interface discourage you. It offers ample job opportunities.
- Monster Philippines: Monster Philippines is a job search company that has existed since the dawn of the internet and offers jobs across all industries
- Career Jet: Career Jet is a name you may have heard of. Offers thousands of listings for job seekers
- Indeed: The largest job site covering a plethora of industries.
- Learn4Good: Learn4Good is a great portal for job opportunities at a variety of levels.
Now that you’re armed with all the weaponry to start your job hunt as an expat in Manila, it’s time to find your ideal job!
