AI salaries in Singapore increased about 15 to 25 percent in the past year, growing up to five times faster than overall wages, according to multiple sources [1, 2]. Fresh AI hires typically start with salaries between S$70,000 and S$90,000 a year, significantly above average entry-level pay in the city-state [1, 2].
In contrast, nominal wages of full-time Singaporean workers rose 4.9 percent in 2025, down from 5.6 percent in 2024, indicating broader wage growth is more moderate [1, 2]. Despite a softer hiring outlook overall, demand for AI and critical thinking skills remains strong, with employers willing to pay premiums to boost productivity [3]. "AI and data-based roles remain among the most in-demand positions in Singapore this year," said Kirsty Poltock, country manager at Robert Walters Singapore. "Companies are racing not just to experiment with AI, but to put it to work at scale in their businesses" [1].
Chinese and US tech firms are expanding their AI hiring in Singapore. Chinese companies are actively recruiting AI graduates from local universities, offering pay packages up to S$200,000 a year to attract PhD holders to work in China [1, 2]. US AI company Anthropic has begun hiring Singapore-based product support specialists [1, 2]. Alibaba’s cloud computing arm established a global AI innovation hub in Singapore in 2025 [2].
OpenAI pledged over S$300 million on May 20, 2026, to develop Singapore’s applied AI sector. This investment includes launching an Applied AI Lab and a training program that will create more than 200 technical jobs based in Singapore [1, 2].
The net employment outlook for Singapore in the third quarter of 2026 stands at 13 percent, the lowest since late 2021, reflecting a cautious hiring sentiment amid geopolitical uncertainties. Linda Teo, country manager of ManpowerGroup Singapore, noted, "Employers in Singapore are taking a more cautious approach to hiring this quarter, with many choosing to hold steady on headcount until there is greater clarity on geopolitical conditions. Hiring decisions are becoming more selective and deliberate, with investments directed towards high-impact skills" [3].
OpenAI’s investment and local hiring initiatives are expected to enhance Singapore’s position as a regional AI hub while new roles from these programs are set to begin filling in the coming months [1, 2].
