Passionate about serving Singapore all while commanding an iron rice bowl (stable) career?
The civil service might just be for you!
With the announcement of a civil service salary raise for some 23,000 civil servantsĀ and the 0.35-month mid-year bonus for 2022, some of us might be curious about starting a career in the civil service.
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: The Ultimate Civil Service Salary, Bonus and Benefits Guide (2022)
Civil servants are paid a salary comparable to that of the private sector based on job scope.
In addition to a stable career with salaries that are regularly reviewed, civil servants will get a confirm plus chopĀ 13th-month bonus.
Other bonuses and increments depend on your individual performance and Singapore’s economic performance.
Who Are Considered Civil Servants in Singapore?
Before we go look at the numbers, let’s start out by defining exactly who are the civil servants in Singapore.
Contrary to popular belief, not all who work for the government 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)
How Much Are Civil Servants Paid in Singapore?
The tables below are unofficial and compiled based on data pulled from forums.
Civil Service Pay Grades
| Pay Grade | Pay Range |
|---|---|
| MX9 (Directors) | $11,110 - $17,370 |
| MX10 (Senior Management) | $7,000 - $11,470 |
| MX11 (Management) | $4,740 - $8,305 |
| MX12 (Executives) | $2,945 - $5,925 |
| MX13 (Executives/Fresh Graduates) | $2,800 - $5,500 |
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
| 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 | $2,800 |
| 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.
Civil Servant Bonus 2022: Mid-year and Year-end Bonus
The Public Service Division (PSD) has announced on 20 June 2022 that civil servants will receive a 0.35-month mid-year bonus.
Civil servants in grades equivalent to MX13(I) and MX14 will also receive an additional $200 one-time payment, while those in grades equivalent to MX15 and MX16, and those in the Operations Support Scheme (OSS) Grades III to V, will receive an additional $400 one-time payment.
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:
| Mid-year Bonus (months) | End-year Bonus (months) | Total Bonus (inclusive of 13th month, excluding additional one-time payments) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0.35 + ($200 or $400) | TBA | TBA |
| 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.
Other Benefits of Joining The Civil Service
On top of job security and stable pay, a civil servant in Singapore is also entitled to a myriad of benefits.
Leave (for daysss)
With many Singaporeans always looking forward to long weekends and vacations, you’ll be pleased to know that the civil service also provides a variety of leave benefits including vacation, medical, study, marriage, maternity/paternity, childcare, and parent-care leave.
Medical Benefits
On top of a group insurance scheme, civil servants will also 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
Civil Service Club Membership
Get discounts and preferential rates for chalets, hotels and more.
Should You Become a Civil Servant?
Aside from an iron rice bowl career and benefits, there are some things that you should consider.
| 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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