Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has released updated COMPASS C1 salary benchmarks by sector, which will be used to assess Employment Pass (EP) applications under the COMPASS framework. The new benchmarks will apply to future EP filings and renewals and reflect changes in local PMET wage levels across various industries.
Under COMPASS, applicants can earn:
- 10 points if their salary meets or exceeds the 65th percentile of local PMET wages for their sector and age group.
- 20 points if their salary meets or exceeds the 90th percentile of local PMET wages for their sector and age group.
Broad Salary Increases Across Most Sectors
A comparison of the August 2025 and August 2026 benchmark tables shows increases across most industries and age bands.
Examples include:
Information & Communications Technology (ICT)
For applicants aged 30:
- 2025 benchmark for 10 points: SGD 8,971
- 2026 benchmark for 10 points: SGD 9,226
- 2025 benchmark for 20 points: SGD 13,959
- 2026 benchmark for 20 points: SGD 14,204
Professional Services
For applicants aged 35:
- 2025 benchmark for 10 points: SGD 9,320
- 2026 benchmark for 10 points: SGD 9,556
- 2025 benchmark for 20 points: SGD 16,761
- 2026 benchmark for 20 points: SGD 17,618
Financial Services
For applicants aged 40 in Banking and Other Financial Services:
- 2025 benchmark for 10 points: SGD 16,594
- 2026 benchmark for 10 points: SGD 16,955
- 2025 benchmark for 20 points: SGD 26,329
- 2026 benchmark for 20 points: SGD 26,783
Key Sectors Covered
The benchmark updates apply across numerous industries, including:
- Accommodation
- Administrative & Support Services
- Air & Sea Transport
- Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
- Banking & Financial Services
- Construction
- Education
- Food & Beverage Services
- Fund Management
- Health & Social Services
- Information & Communications Technology
- Insurance
- Land Transport & Logistics
- Manufacturing
- Media
- Professional Services
- Public Administration & Defense
- Real Estate
- Retail
- Utilities and Other Goods-Producing Industries
- Wholesale Trade
What Employers Should Do
Employers planning to sponsor Employment Pass candidates should:
- Review the updated COMPASS C1 salary tables carefully.
- Reassess projected COMPASS scores for pending candidates.
- Evaluate whether proposed salaries continue to achieve 10 or 20 points under the revised benchmarks.
- Consider salary adjustments where needed to preserve competitiveness under the COMPASS framework.
Even relatively modest increases in benchmark salaries may affect the overall COMPASS score of an application, particularly for candidates whose salaries previously sat close to a scoring threshold.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.