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The upcoming benchmarks will apply to new EP applications from 1 January 2025, and renewals of expiring EPs from 1 July 2025.
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has released the upcoming Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) C1. salary benchmarks.
The benchmarks are derived from the Manpower Research and Statistics Department’s (MRSD) annual Comprehensive Labour Force Survey, and are updated yearly to reflect the latest market conditions.
According to MOM, in order to earn points under the C1. salary criteria, candidates must have a fixed monthly salary that meets or exceeds the 65th percentile of local professional, manage salaries within their sector.
C1. salary benchmarks by sector
The current C1 salary benchmarks by sector were released in May 2023, and will apply to new Employment Pass (EP) applications up to and including 31 December 2024, as well as renewals of EPs expiring from 1 September 2024 to 30 June 2025.
The upcoming benchmarks, released in August 2024, will apply to new EP applications from 1 January 2025, and renewals of expiring EPs from 1 July 2025.
Here's a look at what can be expected in five sectors, with the full list available online.
Administrative & support
Current
Upcoming
Air & Sea transport
Current
Upcoming
Arts, entertainment & recreation
Current
Upcoming
Banking & other financial services activities
Current
Upcoming
Info-communication technology
Current
Upcoming
The required fixed monthly salary for candidates increases progressively with age (increases from age 23 to age 45), as noted in the benchmarking. Organisations are also welcome to check their organisation's sector classification online.
It should be noted that candidates who do not meet the EP qualifying salary will not be eligible for an EP, regardless of the points they would have scored under the C1. Salary benchmark. MOM also shared that EP candidates earning at least S$22,500 in fixed monthly salary are exempted from COMPASS.
A full list current benchmarks for further industries can be found on MOM's website, and the full list of upcoming benchmarks can be found in this document by MOM.
The COMPASS framework was introduced by Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng on 4 March 2022 during in his Committee of Supply (COS) speech, whereby in addition to meeting the qualifying salary, individuals applying for/renewing their Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore must pass a points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) from 1 September 2023.
COMPASS also features a Shortage Occupation List, which recognises EP holders in occupations requiring highly specialised skills that are currently in shortage in the local workforce. As an indication, this could include niche infocomm-related roles supporting Singapore’s digitalisation drive.
SOL occupations are evaluated based on three criteria:
- The strategic importance of the occupation to Singapore’s economic priorities;
- The degree and nature of labour shortage, and
- The sector’s commitment to developing the local pipeline to address these shortages.
Head over to our previous coverage for full details on the SOL.
For more stories on the COMPASS framework, track our coverage here.
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