Social worker salary in Singapore
What the job is: Social worker (general) helps individuals and families to understand and resolve their personal and social problems. Also called: Case worker (social service), Community social worker. SSOC 2024, 26621
- Social worker (general): S$4,570 median a month. Middle 50% earn S$4,020 to S$5,609.
- Medical social worker: S$4,883 median. SSOC examples include hospital and palliative care social workers.
- Social work associate: S$4,037 median.
- Social work graduates: S$3,950 median at SUSS, with 82.3% in full-time permanent jobs.
- 2026 outlook: social worker pay is projected at S$4,740. This is our estimate.
How much do social workers earn?
A social worker earns S$4,570 at the median. Medical social workers earn S$4,883 and social work associates S$4,037.
Gross monthly wage, June 2025, all industries.
| Occupation, all industries | Basic wage, median | Gross, 25th percentile | Gross, median | Gross, 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical social workerPartial detail | 4,882 | 4,319 | 4,883 | 6,627 |
| Social worker (general)Full detail | 4,550 | 4,020 | 4,570 | 5,609 |
| Social work associateFull detail | 4,010 | 3,070 | 4,037 | 4,922 |
Source cells (MOM spreadsheet)
T4!C176:I176, T4!C213:I213, T4!C340:I340- Social workers have a narrow range: S$1,589 between the 25th and 75th percentile.
- Social workers' basic median is S$4,550, close to gross, so allowances add little.
- Social work associates help run case work, group work and community programmes (SSOC 2024).
What affects pay most
For Social worker (general) (SSOC 26621), age makes the largest difference: S$5,651 (40 to 49) against S$4,200 (25 to 29), 35% more.
| What changes | Lowest | Median | Highest | Median | Highest vs lowest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 25 to 29 | 4,200 | 40 to 49 | 5,651 | 35% |
| Sex | Men | 4,445 | Women | 4,580 | 3% |
| Industry | Health and Social Services | 4,565 | Other Community, Social and Personal Services | 4,650 | 2% |
| Firm size | 25 to 199 staff | 4,507 | 200 or more staff | 4,580 | 2% |
Starting salary for social work graduates
SUSS Bachelor of Social Work graduates earned S$3,950 at the median in 2025.
Graduates in full-time permanent jobs, surveyed on 1 November 2025.
| University and programme | Basic, median | Gross, median | Gross, mean | Gross, middle 50% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSS, Bachelor of Social Work | 3,950 | 3,950 | 4,045 | 3,850 to 4,050 |
| NUS, Bachelor of Social Sciences | 4,300 | 4,500 | 4,578 | 4,000 to 5,000 |
- The middle 50% earned S$3,850 to S$4,050, a narrow range.
- NUS social work is taught within the Bachelor of Social Sciences, which MOE reports as one figure: S$4,500.
Job outcomes for social work graduates82.3% of SUSS social work graduates were in full-time permanent jobs, and 88.6% were employed.
82.3% of SUSS social work graduates were in full-time permanent jobs, and 88.6% were employed.
Share of graduates in the labour force.
| Programme | Course response rate | Currently employed | In full-time permanent employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSS, Bachelor of Social Work | 82% | 88.6% | 82.3% |
| NUS, Bachelor of Social Sciences | 75% | 82.8% | 71.9% |
- 82% of the class answered MOE's survey.
How pay changes with age
Social worker pay rises from S$4,200 at 25 to 29 to S$5,651 at 40 to 49. Medical social workers reach S$7,048 at 40 to 49.
Median gross monthly wage by age group.
| Occupation | 25–29 | 30–39 | 40–49 | 50–59 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social worker (general) | 4,200 | 4,854 | 5,651 | 5,335 |
| Medical social worker | 4,381 | 5,090 | 7,048 | – |
| Social work associate | 3,251 | 4,330 | 4,891 | 4,195 |
Source cells (MOM spreadsheet)
T3!C184:K184, T3!C153:K153, T3!C290:K290- Social workers aged 50 to 59 earn S$5,335, slightly less than at 40 to 49.
- Social work associates rise from S$3,251 at 25 to 29 to S$4,891 at 40 to 49.
- Each age band shows different people in June 2025.
By sex and employer sizeFemale social workers earn S$4,580 at the median and men S$4,445.
Female social workers earn S$4,580 at the median and men S$4,445.
| Occupation | All, median gross | Men | Women | Women vs men |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social worker (general) | 4,570 | 4,445 | 4,580 | +3.0% |
| Medical social worker | 4,883 | 5,352 | 4,821 | -9.9% |
| Social work associate | 4,037 | 3,800 | 4,084 | +7.5% |
Source cells (MOM spreadsheet)
T1.1!C186:E186, T1.2!C182:E182, T1.1!C153:E153, T1.2!C155:E155, T1.1!C300:E300, T1.2!C284:E284| Occupation | Firms with 25 to 199 employees | Firms with 200 or more | Large vs small |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social worker (general) | 4,507 | 4,580 | +1.6% |
| Medical social worker | – | 4,888 | – |
| Social work associate | 3,940 | 4,211 | +6.9% |
Source cells (MOM spreadsheet)
T2!C206:G206, T2!C172:G172, T2!C331:G331- Social workers earn S$4,507 at employers with 25 to 199 staff and S$4,580 at 200 or more.
- MOM publishes medical social worker pay only for employers with 200 or more staff, at S$4,888.
- These compare two groups. They are not an adjusted pay gap.
By employer industry
Social workers earn S$4,565 in health and social services and S$4,650 in other community, social and personal services.
| Employer industry | Median gross wage | Gross wage, middle 50% |
|---|---|---|
| Other Community, Social and Personal Services | 4,650 | 4,270 to 5,815 |
| Health and Social Services | 4,565 | 3,950 to 5,520 |
Source cells (MOM spreadsheet)
T4.14!C32:I32, T4.12!C49:I49| Employer industry | Median gross wage | Gross wage, middle 50% |
|---|---|---|
| Other Community, Social and Personal Services | 4,579 | 4,077 to 5,150 |
| Health and Social Services | 3,482 | 2,950 to 4,592 |
Source cells (MOM spreadsheet)
T4.14!C45:I45, T4.12!C78:I78- Social work associates show a wider gap: S$3,482 in health and social services and S$4,579 in other community services.
Pay over time and 2026 outlook
Social worker pay is projected at S$4,740 for June 2026, up 3.7% on 2025.
Official medians for the last six years, then a projection for June 2026.
| Occupation | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social worker (general) | – | – | – | 4,068 | 4,405 | 4,570 | |
| Medical social worker | – | – | – | 5,032 | 4,915 | 4,883 | |
| Social work associate | 2,880 | 2,960 | 3,068 | 3,517 | 3,378 | 4,037 |
June 2026 projection Estimate
| Occupation | June 2025 (MOM) | June 2026 projection | 80% range | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social worker (general) | 4,570 | 4,740 | 4,080 to 5,500 | |
| Medical social worker | 4,883 | 5,180 | 4,460 to 6,000 | |
| Social work associate | 4,037 | 3,900 | 3,360 to 4,530 |
- The estimate is our projection, not MOM data. MOM's June 2026 figures are due around mid-2027 and will replace it.
- Past pay was S$4,068 in 2023, S$4,405 in 2024 and S$4,570 in 2025.
- Social work associates rose from S$2,880 in 2020 to S$4,037 in 2025.
Is social work affected by AI?
The ILO rates social workers Not exposed to generative AI, and social work associates Minimal.
Based on the International Labour Organization's 2025 index, which scores every core task of a job from 0 (AI cannot help) to 1 (AI could do nearly all of it).
AI can do very little of this job. Most tasks are hands-on or face to face.
- Most exposed taskCompiling case records or reports
- Least exposed taskInvestigating cases of abuse or neglect and taking action…
- In numbersNone of its 11 main tasks is one AI could do a large part of.
AI can help with a small part of this job, mostly paperwork.
- Most exposed taskCollecting information relevant
- Least exposed taskProviding crisis intervention and emergency shelter services
- In numbersAI could do a large part of 2 of its 10 main tasks.
- Not exposed
- Minimal
- Some
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
Scored as ILO group 2635 Social work and counselling professionals. Average task score 0.28, higher than 53% of the 427 jobs the ILO scored.
- Not exposed
- Minimal
- Some
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
Scored as ILO group 3412 Social work associate professionals. Average task score 0.33, higher than 61% of the 427 jobs the ILO scored.
| Factor | Social worker (general) | Social work associate |
|---|---|---|
| 1Exposure levelThe ILO's rating for the whole job, from not exposed up to very high. | Not exposed | Minimal |
| 2Average task scoreHow much of each core task generative AI could do, averaged. 0 means none, 1 means nearly all. | 0.28 higher than 53% of jobs | 0.33 higher than 61% of jobs |
| 3Tasks AI could do much ofTasks scoring 0.5 or more. These are the parts of the job most likely to change. | 0 of 11 | 2 of 10 |
| 4Hands-on or people tasksTasks scoring under 0.25: physical, in-person or judgement work that AI barely touches. | 4 of 11 | 3 of 10 |
| 5How even the exposure isEven means AI touches most tasks a little. Uneven means a few tasks are exposed and the rest are not. | Mixed (0.10) | Mixed (0.12) |
| 6Most exposed taskWhere AI tools are likely to show up first. | Compiling case records or reports for courts and other… 0.46 | Collecting information relevant to clients’ needs and… 0.56 |
| 7Least exposed taskThe task AI can help with least. | Investigating cases of abuse or neglect and taking action… 0.14 | Providing crisis intervention and emergency shelter services 0.18 |
| 8Pay trend so farChange in the MOM median since the first year on record. Any AI effect would show here in later years. | +12% S$4,068 (2023) to S$4,570 (2025) | +40% S$2,880 (2020) to S$4,037 (2025) |
- 0.46Compiling case records or reports for courts and other legal proceedings
- 0.43Analysing the client's situation and presenting alternative approaches to…
- 0.34Planning and implementing programmes of assistance for clients including…
- 0.14Investigating cases of abuse or neglect and taking action to protect children…
- 0.17Providing advice to prison governors and to probation and parole review…
- 0.20Providing counselling, therapy and mediation services and facilitating group…
- 0.56Collecting information relevant to clients’ needs and assessing their…
- 0.50Assisting in evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and programmes by…
- 0.41Assisting clients to identify options and develop plans of action while…
- 0.18Providing crisis intervention and emergency shelter services
- 0.21Counselling clients living in group homes and half-way houses, supervising…
- 0.24Maintaining contact with other social service agencies, schools and health…
Source cells (MOM spreadsheet)
SSOC 26621 to ISCO 2635 (SSOC2024-ISCO08!B408); SSOC 34122 to ISCO 3412 (SSOC2024-ISCO08!B597)- Compiling case records and court reports is the most exposed task, at 0.455, followed by analysing a client's situation at 0.435.
- Investigating abuse or neglect is the least exposed task, at 0.135.
- Exposure measures how much of the work AI could do or speed up. It does not measure job cuts.
Which figure should you compare with?
Match your title first, then your age band.
| You are | Compare with | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Social work graduate | SUSS Social Work, 2025 | S$3,950 |
| Social worker, early career | Age 25 to 29 median | S$4,200 |
| Social worker, 30s | Age 30 to 39 median | S$4,854 |
| Senior social worker | Age 40 to 59 | S$5,335 to S$5,651 |
| Social worker in a hospital | Medical social worker row | S$4,883 |
| Social work associate | Associate row, your age band | S$3,251 to S$4,891 |
About these figures
What the pay figures includeMonthly gross pay with allowances and overtime, without bonuses or employer CPF
Every figure is monthly, includes allowances and overtime, and excludes bonuses and employer CPF.
| Measure | Includes | Excludes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic wage | Basic pay | Allowances, overtime, bonus, employer CPF |
| Gross wage | Basic + allowances + overtime + commissions | Bonus, employer CPF, lump sums |
| Graduate salary | Same as gross, full-time permanent jobs only | Bonus, employer CPF |
- S$4,570 × 12 = S$54,840 a year before bonus. It is not a total package.
What this data does not coverMOM surveys private-sector employers with at least 25 staff, so social workers in government ministries are not covered.
MOM surveys private-sector employers with at least 25 staff, so social workers in government ministries are not covered.
- Small agencies with fewer than 25 staff are outside the survey.
- MOM does not state whether public hospitals, where many medical social workers work, are included.
- Bonuses are excluded from every figure.
Questions
What is the social worker salary in Singapore?
MOM's median gross monthly wage for social worker was S$4,570 in June 2025. The middle half earned S$4,020 to S$5,609. Basic pay alone had a median of S$4,550.
What is the social worker salary per year in Singapore?
S$4,570 a month is S$54,840 a year before bonus. Bonuses and the employer's CPF contribution come on top and are not in MOM's monthly figure.
How does social worker pay change with age?
Median gross monthly pay for social worker was S$4,200 at 25 to 29, S$4,854 at 30 to 39, S$5,651 at 40 to 49 and S$5,335 at 50 to 59, in June 2025.
What is the starting salary for social work graduates?
Graduates of the related degrees had median gross starting pay of S$3,950 to S$4,500 a month in MOE's 2025 survey. The highest was NUS, Bachelor of Social Sciences.
Which industry pays social worker jobs the most?
Other Community, Social and Personal Services, with a median of S$4,650 a month. The lowest published median is in health and social services, at S$4,565.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
Medical social worker has the highest median, S$4,883 a month, and social work associate the lowest, S$4,037 (MOM, June 2025).
What is the difference between a social worker and a social work associate?
Social worker (general) helps individuals and families to understand and resolve their personal and social problems. Social work associate assists in providing interventions and programmes, and performing community development work. In June 2025 the median gross monthly wage was S$4,570 for social workers and S$4,037 for social work associates (MOM; definitions from SSOC 2024).
Where do these figures come from?
From MOM's Occupational Wages 2025, which covers full-time resident employees in private firms with at least 25 staff, as at June 2025. Gross wages include allowances and overtime but not bonuses or employer CPF.
Related guides
Sources
MOM Occupational Wages 2025 and MOE Graduate Employment Survey 2025
- MOM, Occupational Wages 2025, Tables 1 to 4. June 2025, released 30 June 2026. SSOC 26621, 26622, 34122. Exact cells are listed under each table.
- MOE, NUS GES 2025. Bachelor of Social Sciences.
- MOE, SUSS GES 2025. Bachelor of Social Work.
- MOM, Coverage and Methodology 2025.
- ILO generative AI exposure index 2025, matched to SSOC through the SingStat correspondence table.