Passionate about serving Singapore, all while commanding an iron rice bowl (stable) career?
The civil service might just be for you!
So, let’s find out how well civil servants are paid, the benefits of being a civil servant, and everything else you need to know!
TL;DR: Ultimate Civil Servants Salary, Bonus and Benefits Guide (2024)
| Year | Mid-year Bonus (months) | End-year Bonus (months) | Total Bonus (Inclusive of 13th month) + 1 Time Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0.45 + ($150 or $250) | TBC | TBC |
| 2023 | 0.3 + ($200 or $400) | 0.6 + ($400 or $800) | 1.9 months |
| 2022 | 0.35 + ($200 or $400) | 1.1 + ($700) | 2.45 months |
| 2021 | 0.3 + ($350 or $700) | 1 + ($500) | 2.3 months |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 + ($1200) | 1 month |
| 2019 | 0.45 + ($200 or $300) | 0.1 + ($250 to $1,500) | 1.55 months |
| 2018 | 0.5 + ($300) | 1 | 2.5 months |
| 2017 | 0.5 | 1 | 2.5 months |
| 2016 | 0.45 | 0.5 | 1.95 months |
| 2015 | 0.5 + ($500) | 0.65 | 2.15 months |
| 2014 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 2.3 months |
| 2013 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 2.5 months |
| 2012 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 2 months |
| 2011 | 0.5 + ($250) | 0.75 | 2.25 months |
| 2010 | 0.5 + ($300) | 1 + ($300) | 2.5 months |
Click to Teleport:
- Civil Servants Singapore Pay Explained
- Who Are Considered Civil Servants in Singapore?
- How Much Are Civil Servants Paid in Singapore?
- How Are Civil Servants’ Bonuses Calculated?
- Other Benefits of Joining The Civil Service
- Should You Become a Civil Servant?
Civil Servants Singapore Pay Explained
Civil servants are paid a salary comparable to that of the private sector based on job scope.
In addition to a stable career with regularly reviewed salaries, civil servants will receive a 13-month, also known as the Non-Pensionable Annual Allowance (NPAA) (previously known as Annual Wage Supplement (AWS)) confirmed plus chop bonus.
Generally, a civil servant’s salary is made up of:
- Base salary (Every month)
- Mid-year bonus/mid-year AVC – subject to Singapore’s economic performance (July)
- Year-end bonus/year-end AVC – subject to Singapore’s economic performance (December)
- 13-month / NPAA / AWS (December)
- Performance bonus (March of the following year) – subject to your grade/rank
We understand that some civil servants can receive up to three months of performance bonus due to a better grade for the past year’s work performance; each year’s increment would depend highly on your work performance and possible promotionsāi.e., to attain two Bs for two years to be eligible for promotion.
Based on past years’ practice, lump sum bonuses may also be paid in some years, depending on Singapore’s economic conditions, e.g., high inflation.
Who Are Considered Civil Servants in Singapore?
Before we look at the numbers, let’s start by defining exactly who the civil servants in Singapore are.
Contrary to popular belief, not all government workers are considered civil servants.
The Singapore Public Service employs about 153,000 public officers working in 16 Ministries and more than 50 Statutory Boards. Within the Public Service is the Civil Service, comprising about 87,000 officers working in the Ministries and Organs of State.
They are usually people who work in one of the following government organisations:
- Ministry of Communication and Information (MCI)
- Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY)
- Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)
- Ministry of Education (MOE)
- Ministry of Finance (MOF)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
- Ministry of Health (MOH)
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
- Ministry of Law (MINLAW)
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
- Ministry of National Development (MND)
- Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)
- Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE)
- Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI)
- Ministry of Transport (MOT)
- Prime Ministerās Office (PMO).
Note that for DXOs in MINDEF, the entry grade for degree holders is at DX9 and they are only promoted if they receive two consecutive minimum B Gradings.
How Much Are Civil Servants Paid in Singapore?
The tables below are unofficial crowdsourced statistics compiled using data from forums.
Civil Service Salary and Pay Grades
A quick search on Glassdoor will reveal that the base salary range of civil servants is $4,000 – $6,000 per month. So, where are you?
| Pay Grade | Pay Range | Typical Year of Relevant Experience |
|---|---|---|
| MX9 (Directors/Superscale) | $16,700 - $22,700 | Varies |
| MX10 (Senior Management) | $7,600 - $12,300 | Varies |
| MX11A (Middle Management) | $5,900 - $9,700 | 5 - 10 |
| MX11 (Middle Management) | $4,800 - $7,700 | |
| MX12 (Executives) | $3,300 - $6,250 | 1 - 4 |
| MX13 (Entry level) | $2,800 - $5,500 | 0 |
Source: Forums.salary.sg
Your pay is determined based on your pay grade under various schemes, such as the Management Executive (MX) scheme.
Civil Service Starting Salary
Do note that these figures are for the latest (2023) that we could find for starting salaries and may not be representative of 2024 starting salaries.
| Organisation (Role) | Approximate Gross Starting Pay (excl. bonuses) |
|---|---|
| MCI | $3,500 - $3,800 |
| MOE (HQ) | $3,600 |
| MOF (Management Executive) | $2,700 - $4,400 |
| MFA (Foreign Service Officer) | $5,400 |
| MOH | $3,400 - $3,800 |
| MSF | $3,700 - $4,200 |
| MTI (Economist Service) | $4,300 |
| MTI (Generic AD) | $3,600 - $3,900 |
Source: Forums.salary.sg
While salary information is not made public, civil servants are paid a salary comparable to that of the private sector based on job scope.
And if you are in the tech industry, you can expect even higher pay.
Next up, let’s talk about bonuses.
How Are Civil Servants’ Bonuses Calculated?
Some may believe that bonuses in the government sector are based on your academic qualifications, nationality or seniority.
However, the official pay scale states that the amount of bonus you’ll receive depends on the following:
Fixed Component
- Non-Pensionable Annual Allowance (NPAA): one month; commonly known as the 13th-month bonus or Annual Wage Supplement
Variable Component
- Annual Variable Component (AVC): Mid-year and year-end payments paid to civil servants based on Singaporeās economic performance. As with current civil service practice, the AVC ranges from zero to one and a half months. A typical AVC is one month. In years of exceptional economic performance, a one-off Special Variable Payment can also be made.
- Performance Bonus: Varies with individual performance and is determined by PM. It ranges from zero to six months and good performers will typically get three months.
- National Bonus: Based on four socio-economic indicators with equal weights. No bonus is paid if the minimum levels of achievement for the indicators are not met. A bonus of three months will be paid if the targets for the four indicators are met. A maximum bonus of six months will be paid if targets are far exceeded.
In essence, you’ll get a confirm plus chopĀ 13th-month bonus while the rest depends on your individual performance and Singapore’s economic performance.
Civil Servant Bonuses in The Past
Here’s how much civil servants have been getting in bonuses with additional one-time payments in brackets:
| Year | Mid-year Bonus (months) | End-year Bonus (months) | Total Bonus (Inclusive of 13th month) + 1 Time Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0.45 + ($150 or $250) | TBC | TBC |
| 2023 | 0.3 + ($200 or $400) | 0.6 + ($400 or $800) | 1.9 months |
| 2022 | 0.35 + ($200 or $400) | 1.1 + ($700) | 2.45 months |
| 2021 | 0.3 + ($350 or $700) | 1 + ($500) | 2.3 months |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 + ($1200) | 1 month |
| 2019 | 0.45 + ($200 or $300) | 0.1 + ($250 to $1,500) | 1.55 months |
| 2018 | 0.5 + ($300) | 1 | 2.5 months |
| 2017 | 0.5 | 1 | 2.5 months |
| 2016 | 0.45 | 0.5 | 1.95 months |
| 2015 | 0.5 + ($500) | 0.65 | 2.15 months |
| 2014 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 2.3 months |
| 2013 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 2.5 months |
| 2012 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 2 months |
| 2011 | 0.5 + ($250) | 0.75 | 2.25 months |
| 2010 | 0.5 + ($300) | 1 + ($300) | 2.5 months |
Source: Public Service Division
Typically, these one-time payments are paid to those with lower wages to help them cope better.
Civil Service Mid-Year Bonus (2024)
Civil servants in Singapore will receive a 0.45-month mid-year bonus, with junior grade officers getting an additional payment of up to $250, the Public Service Division (PSD) announced on Thursday, 20 June 2024.
Civil servants in grades equivalent to MX13(I) and MX14 will receive an additional payment of $150. Those in grades equivalent to MX15 and MX16, as well as those in the Operations Support Scheme (OSS) Grades III and IV, will receive an additional payment of $250.
Civil Service Year-End Bonus (2023)
In addition, the PSD announced on 27 November 2023 that:
the Government will pay all civil servants a year-end Annual Variable Component (AVC) of 0.6 months.
Civil servants in grades equivalent to MX13(I) and MX14 will receive an additional lump sum of $400, while those in grades equivalent to MX15 and MX16 and those in the Operations Support Scheme (OSS) will receive a higher lump sum of $800.
The year-end compensation considers an anticipated 1.0 per cent growth in Singapore’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2023, along with the most recent recommendations from the National Wages Council (NWC).
Total Civil Servant Bonus (2023)
Altogether, civil servants will be given a 0.9-month full-year AVC for the Financial Year 2023. Officers up to MX13(I) and their equivalents will also be eligible for an extra one-time payment of up to $1,200 in 2023. Furthermore, the government will continue to provide the non-pensionable annual allowance (13th month), equivalent to one month’s pay, to all civil servants.
FlexiGrow and Improved PSD Benefits (2024)
StartingĀ inĀ October 2024,Ā eligible civil servants will have access to a new annual benefit: FlexiGrow, a yearlyĀ $500Ā that can be used forĀ health, well-being,Ā and individual growth.
Currently, on top of a group insurance scheme, civil servants will receive:
- Additional 2% of your gross monthly salary into your Central Provident Fund Medisave Account
- Subsidy of up to $500 per calendar year for your medical expenses
- 85% reimbursement of your dental expenses per visit, up to a maximum of $120 per year.
However, starting in January 2025,Ā medical and dental subsidies for public officers who visit private clinics will increase from $20 to $50 per visit, and dental subsidies will increase from $120 to $250 per year.
FAQs on The Civil Service
On top of job security and stable pay, a civil servant in Singapore is also entitled to a myriad of benefits.
How Many Annual Leaves Do Civil Servants Get?
With many Singaporeans always looking forward to long weekends and vacations, you’ll be pleased to know that the civil service also provides various leave benefits, including vacation, medical, study, marriage, maternity/paternity, childcare, and parent-care leave.
Fun fact: civil servants used to enjoy up to 28 days of annual leave.
Is Civil Service Club Membership Applicable For Civil Servants?
Get discounts and preferential rates for chalets, hotels and more.
Should You Become a Civil Servant?
Aside from an iron rice bowl career path and benefits, there are some things that you should consider.
Think about the movement policies of each ministry, including whether the workplace encourages officers to move every two years (e.g. Ministry of Home Affairs) or how often it takes for individuals to be promoted.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sense of Purpose: When working in the civil service, you'll be able to see the impact that you have on Singaporeans which may result in you leading a more fulfilling life. | Strict Hierarchy: Much like the top-down hierarchy that Singaporean males would have experienced in the military, the civil service also operates with a strict hierarchy. There is less flexibility within the organisation and and communication barriers may be present. |
| Career Stability: In the civil service, you won't have to worry about not being paid on time. Moreover, you can rest assure that you are being paid a competitive salary that is reviewed regularly. | Lots of Red Tape: There are plenty of red tapes and approvals that you'll need to go through before something actually gets done. If you prefer a fast-paced environment and despise the paperwork required to execute a particular project, the civil service may not be for you. |
| Professional Development: As a civil servant you'll be well-supported with upskilling initiatives and have easy access to opportunities to further develop your career. | Education Requirements: While there is a greater emphasis on meritocracy recently, your paper qualifications may still affect your career progression in the civil service. |
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