Singapore, 18 March 2026 - Hays, the global leader in specialist recruitment and workforce solutions, has released its 2026 Hays Asia Salary Guide, uncovering a clear trend across the region: professionals are increasingly turning to job moves to achieve meaningful salary growth. 

Drawing on responses from more than 13,000 professionals across Asia, the Salary Guide highlights three major trends when it comes to salary-related motivations: rising dissatisfaction with pay, the growing influence of the ‘mover’s premium’ on salary growth, and the increasing importance of a well-rounded Employer Value Proposition that extends beyond compensation.

The findings show that while many professionals are pursuing higher salaries through job changes, employers can counter this by strengthening their value propositions, clarifying development pathways and addressing the broader factors shaping today’s career choices. 

Key findings for salaries 

1. Dissatisfaction with current pay is rising 

• 39 per cent of professionals in Singapore (and 44 per cent of professionals in Asia) are dissatisfied with their salaries.
• This sentiment is closely tied to pay adjustments experienced by professionals in Singapore: 36 per cent did not receive a raise last year (35 per cent in Asia), while seven per cent experienced a reduction in salary (six per cent in Asia).
• Looking ahead, the outlook is more positive: 
  • 19 per cent of professionals in Singapore do not expect a raise in 2026 (40 per cent in Asia), with two per cent expecting a reduction in salary (five per cent in Asia).
• As professionals internalise this gap between what they expect and what their employers deliver, many are reconsidering their next move. 

2. Mover’s premium and career/job security major contributors to mobility 

• A desire for better wage growth is already feeding into mobility decisions in Singapore: 43 per cent of professionals in SIngapore (48 per cent in Asia) increased their salaries by over ten per cent in 2025 changed employers.
• This trend is expected to continue: 43 per cent of professionals in Singapore (50 per cent in Asia) plan to make a change to their career path this year.
• Among those planning a move, 43 per cent of professionals in Singapore in cite limited career opportunities as their primary motivation, followed by better salaries and benefits (41 per cent) and concerns of job security (30 per cent) 

 Tom Osborne, Managing Director of Hays Southeast Asia 

“Singapore’s labour market remains highly competitive, yet the findings show that professionals are increasingly prioritising long‑term stability when making career decisions. While 43 per cent of professionals secured salary increases of over 10 per cent by changing employers, financial progression is only part of the equation. Job security has emerged as a major concern locally, second only to China, reflecting a more cautious workforce amid ongoing restructuring and organisational change.” 

“At the same time, professionals are reassessing what their careers need to offer beyond compensation. Concerns about limited career opportunities, uncertainty around internal mobility, and the risk of organisational shifts are weighing heavily on decision‑making. These pressures are prompting more individuals to evaluate whether their current employer can provide both stability and a clear path forward.” 

“For employers, strengthening the Employee Value Proposition is essential to meeting these evolving expectations. Competitive salaries matter, but so does creating an environment where professionals feel secure, supported, and able to progress. By offering transparent development pathways, investing in upskilling, and communicating openly about organisational priorities, employers can give their people the confidence to build their future within the business.” 

-Ends- 

Contact 

Christy Lee, Marketing Executive, Southeast Asia, Hays  
T: +603 5870 4987
E: christy.lee@hays.com.my 

About Hays 

Hays plc (the "Group") is the world’s leading specialist in recruitment and workforce solutions. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional, and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK, Germany, and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As of 31 December 2025, the Group employed over 9,100 staff operating from 198 offices in 30 countries. For the year ended 31 December 2025: 

• the Group reported net fees of £453.3 million and operating profit of £20.1 million.
• the Group placed around 21,000 candidates into permanent jobs and around 53,000 people into temporary roles.
• 12% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 32% in Germany, 20% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 36% in Rest of World (RoW). 
• the temporary placement business represented 64% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 36% of net fees.
• Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 26% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (15%), Construction & Property (12%), and Engineering (10%) are the next largest. 
• Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the UK, and the USA.