The highest paying jobs in Singapore for 2016 are in the sectors of IT, accounting, sales and marketing, banking and finance, and healthcare and life sciences according to recruitment firm Kelly Services.

IT tops the list with technology heads and program managers expected to command between SGD 13,000 (USD 9,567) and SGD 24,000 (USD 17,662) a month and SGD 11,000 (USD 8,095) and SGD 14,480 (USD 10,656) a month, respectively, according to its 2016 Singapore Salary Guide.

Kelly Services said that the Government’s infocomm (information communications) sector development is behind the emergence of IT as one of the highest paying industries.

"Despite the challenges in the global economy, bright spots remain in the financial technology, big data, as well as digital marketing sectors where demand for talent will continue to rise throughout 2016,"  Foo See Yang, Vice President of Kelly Services Singapore, said.

"Professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) who have been hit hardest by the slowdown should look at upskilling and expanding their capabilities into new areas of growth to stay relevant," Foo said.

The accounting sector grew by SGD $1.8 billion in 2015. Salaries range from SGD 10,000 (USD 7,359.16) to SGD 20,000 (USD 14,718.33) for Chief Financial Officers and SGD 5,000 (USD 3,679.58) to SGD 7,000 (USD 5,151.41) for account managers, the study showed. 

In the sales and marketing sector, demand for digital marketers have risen and they can command a salary of SGD 6,000 (USD 4,451.50) to SGD 10,000 (USD 7,359.16).

Meanwhile, in the banking and finance industry, financial technology developers can expect a salary range between SGD 7,500 (USD 5,519.37) to SGD 12,000 (USD 8,831) while vice presidents looking after compliance and risk can expect to be paid from SGD 10,000 (USD 7,359.16) to SGD 17,000 (USD 12,510.58).

In the health and life sciences industry, research and development directors can command a salary range of SGD 8,000 (USD 5,887.33) to SGD 15,000 (USD 11,038.75).