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The Ultimate Guide To: Starting Salary For Fresh University Graduates
25th February 2019
Fresh university graduates have been reported to earn a higher starting pay as compared to their seniors, ranging from S$4,000 to S$5,000 a month in business and computing areas.
The median salary of a Singaporean is $3,500, what about the salary that you should be getting and what your peers are getting?
The key takeaway from this article is for you:
- You are choosing your university course
- To manage your expectations before an interview
- You wish to know the similar situations of the peers before you
- TO KNOW YOUR WORTH
TL;DR – Which university graduates hold the highest salary for each faculty
- Business Degree: S$3,674 a month from SMU (Out of 4 universities)
- Arts & Social Sciences Degree: S$3,425 a month from SMU(Out of 4 universities)
- Sciences Degree: S$3,343 a month from NUS (Out of 3 universities)
- Engineering Degree: S$3,800 a month from SUTD (Out of 4 universities)
- Computing Degree: S$4,003 a month from NUS (Out of 2 universities)
- Law Degree: S$5,000 a month from NUS (Out of 2 universities)
| Faculties | NUS | NTU | SMU | SUTD | SIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business | $3,306 | $3,638 | $3,674 | - | $2,875 |
| Arts & Social Sciences | $3,249 | $3,113 | $3,425 | - | $3,109 |
| Sciences | $3,343 | $3,170 | - | - | $2,946 |
| Engineering | $3,413 | $3,354 | - | $3,800 | $3,213 |
| Computing | $4,003 | $3,675 | - | - | - |
| Law | $5,000 | - | $4,975 | - | - |
| Medicine / Nursing | $3,667 | - | - | - | $3,400 |
| Music | $2,025 | - | - | - | - |
| Dentistry | $4,050 | - | - | - | - |
| Education | - | $3,602 | - | - | - |
| Sports | - | $3,285 | - | - | - |
*Salary figures have been rounded up to the nearest dollar.
Fresh Grads Starting Salary
Figures are taken from graduates who have completed the graduate employment survey by the Ministry of Education in 2017.
Don’t worry if it has been a while since you have graduated, we have also compiled a salary guide for you to reference to too!
Click the links to be teleported!
National University of Singapore / NUS
| Degree | Median Salary (S$) |
|---|---|
| Yong Loo Lin School (Medicine) | |
| Bachelor of Medicine And Bachelor Of Surgery | $4,500 |
| Bachelor of Science (Nursing) | $3,200 |
| Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (Hons) | $3,300 |
| YST Conservatory Of Music | |
| Bachelor of Music | $2,025 |
| Yale-NUS College | |
| Bachelor of Arts with Honours | $3,500 |
| Bachelor of Science with Honours | $4,083 |
| Multi-Disciplinary Programme | |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering) | $3,600 |
| Bachelor of Environmental Studies | $3,200 |
| Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences | |
| Bachelor of Arts | $3,000 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) | $3,300 |
| Bachelor of Social Sciences | $3,300 |
| Faculty Of Dentistry | |
| Bachelor of Dental Surgery | $4,050 |
| Faculty Of Engineering | |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) | $3,200 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) | $3,500 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) | $3,300 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) | $3,500 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Engineering Science) | $3,600 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) | $3,100 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial and Systems Engineering) | $3,725 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Science And Engineering) | $3,200 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) | $3,400 |
| Faculty of Law | |
| Bachelor of Laws | $5,000 |
| Faculty of Science | |
| Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons) | $3,075 |
| Bachelor of Science | $3,000 |
| Bachelor of Science (Hons) | $3,200 |
| Bachelor of Science (Computational Biology) | N/A |
| Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) | $3,500 |
| NUS Business School | |
| Bachelor of Business Administration | $3,400 |
| Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) | $3,725 |
| Bachelor of Business Administration (Accountancy) | $3,000 |
| Bachelor of Business Administration (Accountancy) (Hons) | $3,100 |
| School of Computing | |
| Bachelor of Computing (Communications And Media) | N/A |
| Bachelor of Computing (Computational Biology) | N/A |
| Bachelor of Computing (Computer Science) | $4,200 |
| Bachelor of Computing (Electronic Commerce) | N/A |
| Bachelor of Computing (Information Security) | NA/ |
| Bachelor of Computing (Information Systems) | $4,000 |
| Bachelor of Science (Business Analytics) | $3,810 |
| School of Design and Environment | |
| Bachelor of Arts (Architecture) | $4,000 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Industrial Design) | $2,890 |
| Bachelor of Science (Project and Facilities Management) | $3,000 |
| Bachelor of Science (Real Estate) | $3,000 |
Nanyang Technological University / NTU
| Degree | Median Salary (S$) |
|---|---|
| College of Business (Nanyang Business School) | |
| Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons) | $3,000 |
| Double Degree in Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons) and Bachelor of Business (Hons) | $3,500 |
| Bachelor of Business (Hons) | $3,300 |
| Double Degree in Bachelor of Business (Hons) and Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Computer Science) | $4,750 |
| College of Engineering | |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Aerospace Engineering) | $3,492 |
| Double Degree in Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Aerospace Engineering) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics | N.A |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Bioengineering) | $3,200 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Chemical And Biomolecular Engineering) | $3,200 |
| Double Degree in Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Chemical And Biomolecular Engineering) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics | N.A |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Civil Engineering) | $3,300 |
| Double Degree in Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Civil Engineering) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics | N.A |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Computer Engineering) | $3,600 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Computer Science) | $3,750 |
| Double Degree in Bachelor of Business (Hons) and Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Computer Engineering) | N.A |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Electrical & Electronic Engineering) | $3,500 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Environmental Engineering) | $3,475 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Information Engineering & Media) | $3,677 |
| Double Degree in Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Information Engineering & Media) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics | N.A |
| Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Maritime Studies) | $3,200 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Materials Engineering) | $3,200 |
| Double Degree in Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Materials Engineering) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics | N.A |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Mechanical Engineering) | $3,300 |
| Double Degree in Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Mechanical Engineering) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics | N.A |
| College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences | |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons) | $2,800 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Chinese | $3,300 |
| Bachelor of Communication Studies (Hons) | $3,000 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics | $3,200 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English | $3,000 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in History | $3,100 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Linguistics And Multilingual Studies | $3,000 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Philosophy | N.A. |
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Psychology | $3,107 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Public Policy And Global Affairs | $3,300 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Sociology | $3,200 |
| College of Sciences | |
| Double Degree in Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences and Bachelor of Medicine (Chinese Medicine) | $2,928 |
| Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biological Sciences | $3,100 |
| Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Chemistry & Biological Chemistry | $3,000 |
| Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mathematical Sciences | $3,400 |
| Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mathematics & Economics | $3,290 |
| Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physics/Applied Physics | $3,300 |
| Sport Science and Management | |
| Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Sport Science & Management) | $3,285 |
| National Institute of Education (NIE) | |
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (Education) | $3,600 |
| Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Education) | $3,603 |
Singapore Management University / SMU
| Degree | Median Salary (S$) |
|---|---|
| School of Accountancy (4-years programme) | |
| Accountancy | $3,000 |
| Cum Laude and above | $3,200 |
| School of Business (4-years programme) | |
| Business Management | $3,475 |
| Cum Laude and above | $3,880 |
| School of Economics (4-years programme) | |
| Economics | $3,600 |
| Cum Laude and above | $4,000 |
| School of Information Systems (4-years programme) | |
| Information Systems Management | $3,905 |
| Cum Laude and above | $4,334 |
| School of Social Sciences (4-years programme) | |
| Social Sciences | $3,250 |
| Cum Laude and above | $3,600 |
| School of Law (4-years programme) | |
| Law | $4,500 |
| Cum Laude and above | $5,450 |
Singapore Institute of Technology / SIT
| Degree | Median Salary (S$) |
|---|---|
| DigiPen Institute of Technology | |
| Bachelor of Arts in Game Design | 3,000 |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Arts & Animation | 2,825 |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Game Design | 3,250 |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real- Time Interactive Simulation | 3,800 |
| The Glasgow School of Art | |
| Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Communication Design | 2,600 |
| Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Interior Design Newcastle University | 2,700 |
| Newcastle University | |
| Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Chemical Engineering | 3,100 |
| Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Electrical Power Engineering | 3,200 |
| Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Marine Engineering | 3,300 |
| Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechanical Design & Manufacturing Engineering | 3,000 |
| Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Naval Architecture | 3,300 |
| Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Offshore Engineering | 3,300 |
| Bachelor of Science with Honours in Food & Human Nutrition | 2,600 |
| Technische Universität München | |
| Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering | 3,000 |
| Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering & Information Technology | 3,175 |
| The Culinary Institute of America | |
| The Culinary Institute of America | 2,300 |
| Singapore Institute of Technology -Trinity College Dublin / Trinity College Dublin | |
| Bachelor in Science (Diagnostic Radiography) | N.A. |
| Bachelor in Science (Occupational Therapy) | 3,250 |
| Bachelor in Science (Physiotherapy) | 3,350 |
| Bachelor in Science (Radiation Therapy) | N.A. |
| University of Glasgow | |
| Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Aeronautical Engineering | 3,100 |
| Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Aerospace Systems | 3,125 |
| Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechanical Design Engineering Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechatronics | 3,100 |
| Bachelor of Science with Honours in Computing Science | 3,600 |
| University of Manchester | |
| Bachelor of Science with Honours in Nursing Practice | 3,400 |
| University of Liverpool | |
| Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Criminology and Security | 3,800 |
| Wheelock College | |
| Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education | 2,900 |
| Singapore Institute of Technology | |
| Bachelor of Accountancy with Honours | 3,050 |
| Bachelor of Hospitality Business with Honours | 2,700 |
Singapore University of Technology and Design / SUTD
| Degree | Median Salary (S$) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Engineering (Engineering Product Development) | $3,600 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Information Systems Technology and Design) | $4,000 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Engineering Systems and Design) | $3,800 |
| Bachelor of Science (Architecture and Sustainable Design) | N.A. |
Source: MOE Graduate Employment Survey
Our community shared their personal experiences
They shared about their starting salary during their time and many spoke up about their personal experiences.
So it is time to see if the starting salary of a degree graduate that we all have been receiving over the years have gradually increased.
This is the MEDIAN salary of our community members across industries:
| Year | Median Salary (S$) |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2,500 |
| 1997 | 2,300 |
| 2003 | 1,800 |
| 2004 | 3,100 |
| 2005 | 2,400 |
| 2006 | 1,800 |
| 2007 | 2,400 |
| 2008 | 2,400 |
| 2009 | 2,250 |
| 2010 | 3,275 |
| 2012 | 2,750 |
| 2013 | 2,300 |
| 2014 | 2,800 |
| 2015 | 3,300 |
| 2016 | 2,900 |
| 2017 | 3,500 |
| 2018 | 3,400 |
If you would like to read more of their stories and experiences, you can find them here.
If you read through the conversation, you might realise that not every industry had increased the graduates’ salary even from 14 years back!
This is an important finding to realise that wages ARE STICKY and we should manage our expectations when it comes to negotiating your pay with the HR.
Why Median Salary?
In case you would like to know why we are using the median salary,
- Mean: An average of the salaries
- Median: The 50th Percentile, meaning the “central” graduate amongst everyone.
Median is a more accurate reference as data of the salaries received are not symmetrically distributed.
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