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The median monthly wage of full-time security officers in Singapore grew by 19.2% from 2016 to 2023. With the Progressive Wage Model, wage requirements are expected to rise about 220% by 2028.
Security officers in Singapore may likely see their basic wages and variable components such as allowances to increase in the foreseeable future.
This comes as the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) continues to drive salary increments, with the median gross wage of full-time security officers rising by 19.2% cumulatively since its implementation in 2016. By 2028, PWM wage requirements are set to increase by 220% compared to 2016 levels.
Addressing a Parliamentary query earlier this week, Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad said that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does not track data on security agencies incorporating allowances into basic pay under the PWM and stressed that while employers have the discretion to structure compensation, they must comply with PWM requirements.
"While it is possible for employers to incorporate allowances into the basic wage to offset PWM-mandated wage increases, such practices are unsustainable," SMS Zaqy stated.
"PWM requirements increase year on year, and there is a limit to how much wage components can be shifted."
Despite concerns over wage structuring, SMS Zaqy highlighted that gross wages — including allowances — have increased since PWM's introduction. In 2016, the PWM wage requirement for an entry-level security officer stood at S$1,100. This has risen to S$2,870 from 1 January 2025, with a further increase to S$3,530 expected by 2028.
"This translates to PWM raising the salaries of Security Officers to around 220% more than the wage requirement in 2016," he added.
"This means that security officers will likely see their total take-home pay, which includes both basic wages and variable components such as allowances, increase in the coming years."
READ MORE: Part-time security officers to come under purview of Singapore Security PWM
Lead image/ MDDI YouTube
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