Wages for blue-collar jobs sunk in 2011

Managers, financial services staff earn the highest wages.

New wage report point to managers as the highest paid occupational group and financial services as a top-paying industry.

In contrast, wages for blue-collar occupations, particularly for cleaners and labourers, have sunk to the bottom of the wage barrel.

"Attesting to the value of knowledge and skills, the median monthly gross wage was the highest for managers at $6,630 in June 2011," according to the results of the “Report on Wages in Singapore, 2011,” an annual review of the country's wage changes and trends.

"This was followed by professionals at $4,632 and associate professionals & technicians who drew a median pay of $3,070. Clerical support workers ($2,097) and service & sales workers ($2,000) were paid less. Among blue-collar occupations, craftsmen & related trades workers ($2,377) and plant & machine operators ($2,015) were paid more than cleaners, labourers & related workers ($1,020)," the report said.

"Wages tend to rise with age as workers gain experience. In June 2011, the pace of wage increase with age was more pronounced among managers and professionals. The link between age and wages was less obvious for lower-skilled workers whose wages generally rose more gradually and peaked earlier. In fact, wages of plant & machine operators and cleaners, labourers & related workers were largely flat for younger workers before declining for those in their mid forties onwards. Advancing age typically works against workers in physically demanding manual occupations," it added.

"Higher value-added industries generally pay better. Specifically, financial services and professional services were among the top three highest-paying industries across many occupational groups in June 2011. In contrast, accommodation & food services and construction were among the lower-paying industries," it said further.