Singapore Ministers Receive First Raise in 15 Years, Says PM Wong

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 10, 2026

Singapore’s government ministers will receive their first salary increase in 15 years, with entry-level ministerial pay rising from 1.1 million to 1.8 million Singapore dollars, while the prime minister’s salary will increase from 2.2 million to 3.6 million Singapore dollars. The phased raises, based on performance and effective October 15, aim to make public office more competitive and retain skilled leaders, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pledging to donate his salary increase to charity.

Singapore’s government ministers will receive the first salary increase in 15 years, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced during a parliamentary session on Tuesday. The adjustment is aimed at ensuring the government remains competitive in attracting skilled professionals to political office.

Under the revised pay framework, the baseline annual salary for a minister at the entry level will be raised from 1.1 million Singapore dollars (approximately $868,330) to 1.8 million Singapore dollars ($1.42 million). Meanwhile, the prime minister’s benchmark salary will increase from 2.2 million Singapore dollars ($1.7 million) to 3.6 million Singapore dollars ($2.8 million).

Despite the new salary benchmarks, ministers and other political officeholders will not immediately see their pay jump to the revised levels. Instead, a one-time salary adjustment of up to 9% will be implemented starting Oct. 15. The precise amount of the increase will depend on individual ministers’ performance and responsibilities. Prime Minister Wong anticipates that most ministers at the lowest grade will earn around 1.35 million Singapore dollars ($1.06 million) by the end of the current term.

Salaries beyond this period will no longer automatically progress to the benchmark figure but will continue to vary based on performance metrics. Wong did not specify the exact new salary he will receive but indicated that a 9% increase would raise his annual remuneration to about 2.4 million Singapore dollars ($1.89 million). The prime minister also stated his intention to donate the entirety of his salary increase to charitable causes over the next five years.

The decision to raise ministers’ pay follows prolonged concerns about the government’s ability to attract and retain top talent in politics if salaries remain stagnant. Singapore’s cabinet ministers have long been recognized as some of the highest-paid public officials globally. This salary revision reflects the government’s strategy to ensure remuneration aligns with the demands and expectations of public service in a competitive environment.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.