Well-paying jobs in Singapore for a mid-career switch


Let’s be honest, the mid-career burnout is real. With Covid-19 presenting an opportunity for some self-reflection, it’s only natural to have some thoughts about switching things up. If you’re thinking about entering that industry you’ve always been curious about, or simply want to refresh your work life, a mid-career switch can be one of the most fulfilling decisions you can ever make. 

With so many things to consider, this can be an extremely overwhelming process but to help you along, we’ve rounded up seven well-paying jobs in Singapore for a successful mid-career switch. 

PSA: most of these come with government-supported programmes to increase your chances of a successful job placement!

Disclaimer: All salaries listed here have been extracted from MyCareersFuture Singapore and are accurate at the time of writing.


1. Project Manager – between $4,000-$9,000


mid-career switch (1) - Team meeting

If you’re a highly organised person with planners and calendars galore, who can effectively lead a team, this role might be a perfect fit. From setting deadlines and planning resources to costing and anticipating pitfalls, project managers are the very backbone of a company, overseeing projects from initiation to delivery. 

Not all project managers draw an equal salary. Pay can vary drastically depending on the industry you’re in, but Engineering and Tech are well-known for their fatter paychecks, especially if you’ve got a number of years of experience under your belt.

You’ll be able to find a couple of job vacancies on the MyCareersFuture Singapore portal with monthly salaries that go up to $8,000/month, but expect that relevant qualifications and at least 3 years of experience are a prerequisite. 

Minimum years of experience: 3+
Estimated pay: Between $4,000-$9,000
Government support schemes: SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme


2. Marcom Manager – between $5,000 – $7,000


mid-career switch (2) - Team discussion

If selling your used items on Carousell uncovered a secret talent for marketing and sales within you – you’re in luck. 

Marcom a.k.a. marketing communications managers specialise in boosting sales through advertising and building relationships between customers and brands. Even the best products don’t sell themselves – take it from the millions of dollars that Apple spends on marketing a year.

If you’re quick on your feet and have a knack for coming up with convincing elevator pitches to sell even a ballpoint pen, this job might be the one for you. Although some people are quick to strike marketing and communications off as “lesser jobs”, the figures speak for themselves. 

Take a look on any job portal, and you’ll find that marcom managers take home pretty decent paychecks – and by decent, we mean up to $6,800/month. With job openings in practically every sector, marketing is an exciting and fast-paced industry to be in and might just catapult you to where you want to be financially.

Minimum years of experience: 3+
Estimated pay: Between $5,000 – $7,000
Government support schemes: Career Conversion Programmes and SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme


3. Physiotherapist – between $4,000 – $8,000


Physiotherapist helping an elderly man
Image credit: Singapore General Hospital

The hidden heroes of any post-injury treatment, physiotherapists work on reducing pain and helping their patients to regain mobility through physical therapy.

As Singaporeans start to take on increasingly active lifestyles, it’s only natural for physical injuries to occur. Coupled with the aging population in Singapore, the demand for physiotherapy services will only increase over the years.

Physiotherapy requires strong interpersonal skills and a ‘human touch’ so in the not-so-unlikely event that robots start to take over the world, this job is safe from AI and automation. With the long-term stability and growing industry, becoming a physiotherapist can not only help you change lives, but can also give you up to $7,900/month.

Minimum years of experience: 3+
Estimated pay: c
Government support schemes: Career Conversion Programmes


4. Data Analyst – between $4,000 – $10,000


mid-career switch (3) - woman staring at computer screen

Virtually everything is done online now – from your friends asking you to PayLah! them the $20 you owe, to purchasing groceries through apps on your phone and paying for roadside parking.

As technology continues to develop around the world, companies are turning to data analysts for their help in studying online consumer behaviour to forecast and predict their purchasing patterns.

If you’re skilled at looking at numbers and graphs and predicting trends, this may be the job for you. Data analysts are highly sought after by companies across a wide range of industries, so you can be sure to find a company that aligns with your own interests and beliefs. Check out the required skills for data analysts.

Better yet, the pay is also high for most industries— especially with a few years of experience under your belt— so you can easily command a high four-digit salary. The computer and coding skills used in this job are also highly transferable and can brighten your future career prospects.

Minimum years of experience: 3+
Estimated pay: Between $4,000 – $10,000
Government support schemes: SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme


5. Interior Designer – between $3,000 – $8,000


Interior Designer couple in home

If your guilty pleasures consist of watching hundreds of room makeover videos and pinning photos of your dream house on Pinterest, consider becoming an interior designer. Interior designers draw up design concepts for clients and meticulously carry these plans out – think ‘Groom My Room’ but for whole offices and HDB flats.

With a good eye for picking out pieces and a creative vision, you can make all your Pinterest home dreams come to life and even get paid for doing so. With salaries going up to $8,000/month, you could be earning the big bucks, especially if bigger clients hire you.

Minimum years of experience: 1+
Estimated pay: Between $3,000 – $8,000
Government support schemes: SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme


6. Mechanical and Electrical Engineer – between $4,000 – $10,000


mid-career switch (4) - woman working on the computer

Mechanical and electrical engineers have made some of the most useful machines in human history, from the cars that fill the streets to the air-conditioners that keep us cool in the humid Singapore weather. 

If you’re looking to become the next Tony Stark, this is a good first step. Mechanical and electrical engineers identify and solve problems through the designing and manufacturing of devices. 

This innovative job is not only extremely fulfilling, but is also rewarding as it can pay up to $10,000/month with supervisory roles paying the most. Some jobs will require certifications in certain areas such as the Certified Functional Safety Expert depending on the job scope.

Minimum years of experience: 4+
Estimated pay: Between $4,000 – $10,000
Government support schemes: SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme


7. Research & Development Manager – between $5,000 – $9,000


mid-career switch (5) - Group Discussion

Research & development is one of the most important roles in a company. From the newest bubble tea pizza to the medicine we take for all kinds of body ailments, a research & development manager acts as the brain behind all kinds of products we see on a daily basis.

From implementing new programs to overseeing projects in a company, this job may be the one for you if you can think out of the box and effectively lead and manage a team. Since the job openings are available in a multitude of different industries, the pay can vary dramatically depending on which field you decide to dip your toes into. 

Pharmaceutical and tech industries are some of the highest-paid positions on any job portal, earning up to $9,000/month, but you can still earn a hefty sum in other industries with a few solid years of experience.

Minimum years of experience: 2+
Estimated pay: Between $5,000 – $9,000
Government support schemes:SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme


High-paying jobs for a mid-career switch


A mid-career switch is one of the most life-changing decisions anyone can make, but the user-friendly MyCareersFuture can help to ease your burden.

This job portal provides personalised job recommendations based on your own unique skill set, and shows what job-hunters like you are searching for. Instead of scrolling through the hundreds of open positions, the MyCareersFuture portal also has specific filters to easily find jobs that are looking for mid-career switchers or ones that come with government support. 

My Careers Future Website
Image credit: MyCareersFuture.gov.sg

By inputting your preferred minimum salary, job industry, and employment type, you can find a job or industry that suits you.

My careers future website screenshot
For a mid-career switch, you can easily identify which jobs are the best suited for your skill sets using the handy bar at the bottom of each position.
Image adapted from: MyCareersFuture.gov.sg

After finding a job opening, the application process is as simple as logging in with your SingPass and applying through the portal. To increase your chances of getting hired, MyCareersFuture even has a special feature that compares your resume against the job description, and suggests tips on how to improve it.

Whether you’re looking for a complete industry switch, or simply a change of companies, MyCareersFuture connects you to companies and employers with a simple click of a button, making job-hunting a breeze.

Find more jobs on MyCareersFuture here


This post was brought to you by Workforce Singapore (WSG).
Article originally published on 11th Feb 2021. Last updated on 16th Oct 2022.

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