Top 20 Jobs for Expats in Singapore
Finding work in Singapore as a foreigner is not generally very difficult. Overall, Singapore’s culture is very welcoming of foreigners and the city is both famously safe and beautiful. The city’s cost of living is fairly high compared to many other countries, but so is the median income in Singapore. More often than not, expats in Singapore find they have a significant amount of disposable income.
Expats in Singapore should be aware of significant cultural perspectives that they may find quite jarring. Singaporeans generally view authority in a positive light and are supportive of strict law enforcement. The Singaporean government also exerts significant control over local media, though international media is rarely censored and widely available.
Finding accommodations as an expat is also relatively simple and can be quite cost-effective if you’re willing to sacrifice a few creature comforts. While Singapore is full of hotels and long-term accommodations, many expats opt for cheaper housing options that include private rentals, corporate leases paid for by their employers, or even co-living spaces.
Singapore is a city of convenience, by and large. Accommodations, travel around the city, and food are all plentiful and available at a variety of price points to suit your needs. The rest of this article encompasses more details about moving to Singapore for work, the requirements established by the government of Singapore for expats, as well as forward-looking skills and jobs for expats in Singapore.
Can I work as an expat in Singapore?
Singapore is very welcoming to expats as a general rule because so many multinational corporations are headquartered there. As such, Singapore’s regulations around working locally are both reasonable and quite simple. All expats in Singapore require a work visa, of which there are several categories based on the type of work you’ll be doing and how much you expect to earn.
These are a few of the most common work visa types used in Singapore.
Employment Pass | This is the go-to work visa for most career professionals, typically managers or executives in a company. Employment passes come with a minimum salary requirement of S$5,000 monthly. Read more about employment pass requirements and benefits. |
EntrePass | The EntrePass is issued to entrepreneurs (hence the name) looking to start a business in Singapore. |
S Pass | Most expats in Singapore likely work on an S Pass. It’s a more general work visa and carries a more reachable minimum salary requirement of S$3,000 monthly. Find out more about applying for the S Pass and how it works. |
Training Work Pass | If you’re in a situation where your company is sending you to Singapore primarily for work training, you’ll likely need a training work pass. It carries the same minimum salary requirement as an S Pass (S$3,000 monthly). |
Dependant’s Pass | Most expats prefer at least the option to bring their family along. If you have any dependants who will be traveling to Singapore and staying with you, they’ll need a Dependant’s Pass, which is usually issued to the spouses and children of Employment Pass or S Pass holders. |
If you’re unsure about which pass you need or perhaps have a more niche work situation, you can find a full list of available work visas and requirements here.
What types of skills are in demand for expats in Singapore?
Language skills | Singapore is a proudly multiracial country that celebrates the diversity of its citizens and residents. Fluency in a second language is highly valuable as a result. |
Communication skills | Effective communication is not only important to Singaporeans, but also an essential component of business. As an expatriate, you’ll probably be working closely with Singaporeans and cultural barriers to communication are always a concern. |
Organizational skills | Organizational skills underpin the extreme efficiency required for the fast-paced business environment of Singapore. |
Leadership skills | Leadership skills are always in demand and Singapore is no different. They’re highly desirable traits and many expats possess strong leadership skills. |
Critical thinking skills | Problem-solving skills always seem to be in short supply. Both flexible and quick thinking are desirable talents in Singapore. |
Creative skills | Innovation is a tremendous driver of modern businesses because of the competitive nature of a global market. Singapore is no different and inventiveness is a prized skill. |
Computer skills | Singapore is rife with tech companies. The island nation heavily utilizes modern technology to overcome the downsides of their geographical location. Whether you’re a regular office worker or an actual programmer or developer, proficiency with technology is a must-have skill. |
Management skills | Given that most expats in Singapore have to meet a minimum salary requirement, many expats possess strong managerial skills. |
Research skills | Again, this is a fairly common skill that’s desirable in many higher-level positions. That can include market research, industry research, and more. Quality research is extremely valuable to just about every company. |
Customer relations skills | Especially true for service businesses, understanding customers and providing good service is in great demand. An important aspect of this is understanding the local culture and meeting (or surpassing) expectations. |
Top 20 jobs for expats in Singapore
Skills Required | The specific skills required of any executive depends on your specific role. CEOs provide direction for the entire company, CFOs manage the business’s finances, and COOs handle regular operations. The most lucrative C-suite positions are typically in the finance, tech, or banking industries. |
Growth Prospects | Few to none |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Lawyers practice the law. Becoming a partner usually involves being hired at an established law firm or starting your own, the former being the typical and most lucrative option. International lawyers usually earn more than local lawyers. |
Companies Hiring | Aquinas Law Alliance LLP, American Bar Association, JP Morgan Chase Bank |
Growth Prospects | Few to none |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Familiarity with sales and marketing. Sales is especially lucrative in the finance and fintech sectors, especially when it involves budding technologies. |
Companies Hiring | Adstify Search Pte Ltd, Hubble Pte Ltd, Amazon Web Service Singapore Pte Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Few to none |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Finance is a big sector in Singapore and investment specialists are in high demand. Depending on your prior experience and knowledge, your salary can vary to match your skills. |
Companies Hiring | Just Recruit Singapore Pte Ltd, Legion Group |
Growth Prospects | Good |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | While not as glitzy or lucrative as a C-suite position, general managers are much more in demand. Prior management experience is highly desirable, of course, as are degrees related to the field. |
Companies Hiring | Yamari Singapore Pte Ltd, Bao Khang Enterprise |
Growth Prospects | Good |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Fund managers are similar to investment specialists, working closely with market analysts to make investments for their clients. Nonetheless, they perform a different role that’s more focused on growing an investment portfolio. |
Companies Hiring | Citibank, XT Technical Pte Ltd, Sloane Shorey Consulting Pte Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Good |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Procurement revolves around ensuring that a company has what it needs to keep operations running, including any goods and services from other businesses. Sustainability is becoming a more prominent aspect of procurement roles. |
Companies Hiring | |
Growth Prospects | Few to none |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Human resources involves managing the personnel of a company. It often includes ensuring that employees’ expectations are met, resolving disputes, and more. |
Companies Hiring | RGF Talent Solutions Singapore Pte Ltd, St. Joseph’s Institution International Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Few to none |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Project managers oversee individual projects and ensure they meet goals while staying within any established confines. |
Companies Hiring | Puretech Engineering Pte Ltd, PBT Engineering Pte Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Good |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Product managers are responsible for developing specific goods or services in an organization. They help define product goals and project constraints and establish the strategy behind different iterations. |
Companies Hiring | Xanpool, I-Sprint Innovations Pte Ltd, Good Doctor Technology (Singapore) Pte Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Good |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Marketing directors head up marketing the products and services of their company. That involves market research, establishing strategies for connecting with customers, and more. Experience in the field is a must-have. |
Companies Hiring | JR Recruitment Pte Ltd, Groupe SEB Singapore Pte Ltd, Pappamia Group Pte Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Few to none |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Full stack developers work on both the back and front end of their company’s software. It requires a lot of programming knowledge and skill. |
Companies Hiring | Adecco Personnel Pte Ltd, CT Solutions Pte LTd |
Growth Prospects | Good |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Data engineers process the massive amounts of data that corporations collect. They also help companies develop systems for storing and analysing data in the long run. |
Companies Hiring | Eastspring Investments, ITCAN Pte Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Good |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Sales executives set sales goals and work with their staff to achieve those metrics. A significant role for sales executives is to craft strategies for their teams. |
Companies Hiring | Dolphin Asia Pte Ltd, Nanyang Carpentry Pte Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Moderate |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Employees from a few different backgrounds usually take on UX/UI work, but most know some degree of programming to help with their work. Their responsibilities are primarily to create engaging user experiences that are directed but feel intuitive. |
Companies Hiring | Tulp Street Pte Ltd, Cube Payment Services Pte Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Excellent |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Companies are under threat from all sorts of malicious cyberattacks these days. Hackers can and will steal anything from corporate financial account information to private client information, all of which can jeopardize a business’s operations. Cyber security specialists implement security measures to reduce the risk of cyber attacks and limit the damage when they occur. |
Companies Hiring | Ensign Infosecurity Pte Ltd, Genie Genius Pte Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Good |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Many business processes can now be automated with helpful software. Automation engineers specialize here, focusing their efforts on improving the efficiency of a business and reducing waste. |
Companies Hiring | Symrise Asia Pacific Pte Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Good |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | Treasury managers facilitate the financial transactions of an organization. This includes enforcing limits, authorizing payments, balancing accounts, and other similar responsibilities. |
Companies Hiring | Zipmex Asia Pte Ltd, Randstad Pte Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Good |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | The healthcare industry in Singapore is busy and doctors are always in high demand, as are many administrative roles. Needless to say, you must be a licensed medical practitioner. |
Companies Hiring | Aber Care Pte Ltd, Starmed Specialist Centre Pte Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Great |
Expected Salary |
Skills Required | IT managers are responsible for the technological development of their company or team. That can involve implementing new technology or improving network security, among other work. |
Companies Hiring | Huttons Group, Cotton On Singapore Pte Ltd |
Growth Prospects | Great |
Expected Salary |
How to Find a Job as an Expat in Singapore?
Finding a job in Singapore is actually a fairly simple process, regardless of whether you live in Singapore. There are multiple job sites like Grabjobs or JobStreet that list available positions in Singapore and are popular both among Singaporeans and foreigners. One downside is that most government sites, such as MyCareersFuture, are reserved for Singaporean citizens or nationals, so expats are usually limited to the resources made available by private companies.
Apply for the best expats jobs in Singapore today!
Nonetheless, finding a job in Singapore is, overall, fast, simple, and completely free. Check out this article for a deeper look at the step-by-step process expats undergo to find work in Singapore. It covers everything from visa requirements to the application itself, answering many of the most common questions expats-to-be have.
