Starting Pay in Civil Service and Yearly Bonuses

Many young graduates who are seriously considering joining the civil service are likely curious to find out what is the starting pay or salary in one of the Ministries.

Reading in some forums, there are anonymous people who claim that they are receiving $4k starting salary.  In one of the forums, a female with first class honours claims that her starting pay when she joined was around $3400.

Just for a more accurate picture, im a female, almost 2 years in CS, NTU FCH, in a ministry not listed above.
2015 Sep - MX13 $34XX
2016 Sep - MX13 $36XX
2017 Apr - MX13 $37XX (after Apr increment), will likely be promoted to MX12 after i hit my 2 year mark.

The civil service has a salary range for the various grades.  A fresh graduate will enter at the grade known as MX13.  The common standard is for them to stay at this grade for 1-2 years before they are promoted to MX12.  To take care of merit increment for these people who have been in the job grade for a few years, the salary range of MX13 thus varies.  

Depending on whether one has completed NS obligations or not (Singapore males), the starting pay will then be adjusted accordingly.

Few years back, I posted on the starting pay for a fresh graduate.  The median salary was around $3400 for a fresh university graduate in Singapore.  The civil service often tries to pay a competitive salary so it will not be an anomaly for a fresh graduate to earn a starting pay around that region.

Back in 2011, I also published what was salary range for civil servants.  The starting salary range was $2800 for MX13 and that was 10 years back.  Right now, one can expect the starting salary to be much higher. So the starting salary for a fresh graduate will be minimally $3000 based on current estimates.

And how much bonuses does a civil servant get? Well, the pay structure is quite complicated.  But based on open source information, there are the following bonuses paid out:

1.   Mid-year bonus (Annual Variable Component) = Usually 0.5 month bonus
2.   Year-end bonus (Annual Variable Component) = A range from 0.25 to 0.75 months
3.   Year-end 13th month bonus (Non Pensionable Annual Allowance) = Standard of 1 month bonus
4.   Once off bonuses = Varies
5.  Performance bonus = ranges from 2-3 months depending on performance grade and job grade 

13th month bonus is guaranteed.  So everyone will definitely get 1 month bonus.  

Mid-year bonus and year-end bonus can vary quite a bit.  Have compiled the bonuses that was paid out by the civil service for the past few years.  Do note that the bonuses paid out at year end includes at least the 13th month bonus (standard minimum of 1 month of salary) and a AVC bonus that varies.  The AVC bonus is paid out in July (what is commonly called the mid-year bonus) and in December (together with the 13th month bonus, what is commonly called the year-end bonus).

At times there are minimum caps to the AVC bonus so that a minimum quantum is paid out for lower wage civil servants.  For fresh graduates, this is probably not relevant since their AVC bonus will usually be higher than the minimum quantum set.

2011

Mid-year bonus = 0.5 months + $250 cash quantum

Year-end bonus+ 13 month = 1.75

Total for 2011 = 2.25 months + $250 cash quantum

2012

Mid-year bonus = 0.3 months

Year-end bonus + 13 month = 1.7

Total for 2012 = 2 months bonus

2013

Mid-year bonus = 0.4 months

Year-end bonus + 13 month = 2.1 months

Total for 2013 = 2.5 months

2014

Mid-year bonus - 0.5 months

Year-end bonus + 13 month = 1.8 months

Total for 2014 = 2.3 months

2015

Mid-year bonus = 0.5 months

Year end bonus + 13 month = 1.65 months

Total for 2015 = 2.15 months

2016

Mid-year bonus = 0.45 months

Year end bonus + 13 month = 1.5 months

Total for 2016 = 1.95 months

2017

Mid-year bonus = 0.5 months

Year end bonus + 13 month = 2 months

Total for 2017 = 2.5 months

2018

Mid-year bonus = 0.5 months + $300 ($500 for lower wage)

Year end bonus + 13 month = 2 months

Total for 2018 = 2.5 months + $300

2019 (Bad year due to economic downturn)

Mid-year bonus = 0.45 months

Year end bonus + 13 month = 1.1 months + once-off payment of $250 to $1,500

Total for 2019 = 1.55 months + once-off payment of $250 to $1,500

2020 (Worst year ever due to Covid 19)

Mid-year bonus = None paid out

Year end bonus + 13 month = 1 month + once-off payment of $1,200 (lump sum only for low wage civil servants)

Total for 2020 = 1 month 

Well, not to fret for fresh graduates.  There is still a performance bonus that is paid out every year too.  This usually ranges and an average performer at MX13 can expect around 2 months bonus.   Note that there are civil servants (high potential or scholars) that do get additional bonuses too.  Fresh graduates probably don't qualify for these.