Singapore HR salary guide 2021/22: What HR directors, C&B managers, L&D leads and more can earn monthly

Regional HR directors could earn between S$10,000 to S$18,000 a month, while the HR business partner could earn S$4,300 to S$11,500 a month.

Over the past year, HR has undoubtedly taken on greater importance amid the accelerated business transformation among many organisations. With the evolving COVID-19 situation in Singapore, not only has the role had to adapt and respond quickly to adhere to fast-changing workspace measures and restrictions, but it has had to do so while ensuring employee wellbeing and professional needs are looked after, even as they work from home. 

Citing research commissioned by the Ministry of Manpower and Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP), the PERSOLKELLY 2021/22 Singapore Salary Guide noted that some roles performed by HR managers – especially those that are administrative in nature – are at risk of being impacted or replaced by technology in the next three to five years.

Only three jobs will be "minimally affected" by technology and automation – the head of talent management, HR business partner, and manager of organisation development.

"Therefore, when HR professionals pivot away from administrative tasks amidst the pandemic to focus on redesigning their roles and building their skill sets in areas such as talent recruitment, talent management, and business process outsourcing, they are empowered to not only better manage employee wellbeing and concerns, but also reduce their risk of being adversely impacted by technology advancements."

Overall, HR generalists and HR managers are expected to continue to be high in demand this year. Demand of new and highly-specialised roles, such as that of the HR data analyst, will continue to be on the rise. 

The guide then showcased the key salary ranges across the HR function in Singapore in 2021 and 2022, as follows.

Expected monthly HR salaries in 2021/22

Human Resources

Regional HR director

• Years of experience: More than 10
• Qualification: Degree
• Minimum salary: S$10,000
• Maximum salary: S$18,000

HR director/assistant director

• Years of experience: More than 10
• Qualification: Degree/Master's
• Minimum salary: S$8,000
• Maximum salary: S$15,000

HR generalist/specialist (hot job)

• Years of experience: Two to five
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$2,700
• Maximum salary: S$5,500

HR manager/assistant manager (hot job)

• Years of experience: Three to seven
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$4,100
• Maximum salary: S$8,500

HR associate

• Years of experience: Two to five
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$3,100
• Maximum salary: S$4,300

HR assistant/officer

• Years of experience: One to four
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$2,000
• Maximum salary: S$3,300

HR business partner

• Years of experience: Three to seven
• Qualification: Degree
• Minimum salary: S$4,300
• Maximum salary: S$11,500

HR senior executive/executive

• Years of experience: One to four
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$2,600
• Maximum salary: S$6,000

Regional HR senior executive/executive

• Years of experience: Three to five
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$3,000
• Maximum salary: S$6,000

Regional HR assistant manager/manager

• • Years of experience: Five to 10
  • Qualification: Degree
  • Minimum salary: S$4,800
  • Maximum salary: S$10,000

Senior employee relations consultant

• • Years of experience: Five to 10
  • Qualification: Degree
  • Minimum salary: S$8,500
  • Maximum salary: S$11,000

Compensation & Benefits

C&B manager/assistant manager

• Years of experience: Five to 10
• Qualification: Degree
• Minimum salary: S$5,000
• Maximum salary: S$10,000

C&B senior executive/executive

• Years of experience: One to four
• Qualification: Degree
• Minimum salary: S$2,700
• Maximum salary: S$4,200

Recognition programme specialist

• Years of experience: Two to five
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$2,900
• Maximum salary: S$4,000

Learning & development

Manager/assistant manager, learning & development

• Years of experience: Four to seven
• Qualification: Degree
• Minimum salary: S$4,800
• Maximum salary: S$7,800

Learning & development senior executive/executive

• Years of experience: Three to five
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$3,000
• Maximum salary: S$5,500

Learning & development administrator

• Years of experience: One to two
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$2,500
• Maximum salary: S$3,250

Training coordinator

• Years of experience: Two to three
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$3,000
• Maximum salary: S$3,500

Training manager/assistant manager

• Years of experience: Three to seven
• Qualification: Degree
• Minimum salary: S$3,800
• Maximum salary: S$6,000

Talent management manager

• Years of experience: Five to seven
• Qualification: Degree/Master's
• Minimum salary: S$5,000
• Maximum salary: S$7,000

Talent acquisition/recruitment

Recruiter/senior recruiter

• Years of experience: Two to 10
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$3,500
• Maximum salary: S$8,800

Recruitment executive

• Years of experience: One to four
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$2,800
• Maximum salary: S$4,000

Specialist (Recruitment and engagement)

• Years of experience: Two to four
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$3,500
• Maximum salary: S$4,800

Talent acquisition lead

• Years of experience: Three to five
• Qualification: Diploma/degree
• Minimum salary: S$4,300
• Maximum salary: S$7,500

Manager, talent acquisition

• Years of experience: Three to five
• Qualification: Degree
• Minimum salary: S$4,500
• Maximum salary: S$8,000

Apart from the above, the guide also revealed the top 10 most desired skills in HR professionals, shown below.

Top 10 in-demand skills for HR professionals in 2021/22

1. Human resource
2. Market environment
3. Interpersonal
4. Payroll
5. Talent recruitment
6. Talent management
7. Communication
8. Banking
9. Business process outsourcing
10. Business finance

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