Singapore worker questions if salary expectations have changed drastically in recent years
A Singapore worker has sparked a heated online discussion about income disparities after questioning whether salary expectations have “warped” over the last five years, particularly with the rise of six-figure salaries for younger workers.
Posting on r/askSingapore on 13 Nov, a 28-year-old worker expressed their confusion over the rapid changes in salary expectations.
Salary expectations have changed in recent years
Reflecting on their experiences, the original poster (OP) noticed a huge mismatch between what people say about the job market and what others are actually earning.
Back in 2019, earning a six-digit salary was a significant milestone. Now, the OP notes that many workers, especially those in their 20s, are already crossing that threshold early in their careers.
Have salary expectations in Singapore warped recently?
byu/piggyb0nk inaskSingapore
“I don’t even know what to believe anymore,” the OP wrote.
They pointed towards one end of the spectrum with a “horrible” job market, which includes layoffs, depressed wages, and warnings for fresh graduates not to expect too much.
At the same time, the Redditor said they see friends joining bigger companies with even better pay despite the supposedly “bad” market.
Dramatic salary jump for some younger workers
The OP shared a personal example of a 28-year-old friend working in Big Tech, who brings home an impressive S$220,000 annually.
The OP noted that they were shocked when they saw their friend’s payslip, which seemed unbelievable given the current job market.
Their friend’s specialised role reportedly makes them less concerned about job stability, even in the face of layoffs.
Several other schoolmates of the OP are also earning six-figure salaries, though not quite as high as the Big Tech friend.
Source: jittawit21 on Canva, for illustration purposes only
Interestingly, fresh graduates appear to be reaping the rewards of this salary increase.
The OP pointed out that newcomers at their company are already starting with salaries between S$5,000 and S$6,000.
“With such a starting salary, all it takes is a couple of job hops to reach that 100k,” they wrote.
The OP clarified that they aren’t trying to compare incomes. Instead, they are genuinely puzzled about what’s driving this rapid rise in salaries.
Netizens give their take on salary changes
The post sparked a lively discussion among locals on what’s driving the salary changes.
One commenter described a S$220,000 salary at age 28 as “absolutely crazy” and asked what job would justify such a salary. The OP shared that their friend is a cloud architect.
Source: Reddit
A commenter shared that it’s becoming common for fresh graduates to command the “same salary as someone who’s been in the company for 5 years or more”.
Source: Reddit
One Redditor said a six-figure annual income is the “norm for the top companies” in the technology and finance industries, but elite qualifications are required to secure these positions.
Source: Reddit
One commenter used the term “K-shaped recovery” to describe how different sectors of the economy are recovering at different rates after the pandemic-induced recession, explaining the salary disparity.
Source: Reddit
Also read: ‘Just ask directly’: Redditors advise job seeker on how to negotiate for higher salary in S’pore
‘Just ask directly’: Redditors advise job seeker on how to negotiate for higher salary in S’pore
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Featured image adapted from Nikada on Canva, for illustration purposes only.
