New report reveals Singapore's transition to an AI-enabled workforce
Singapore's public sector is offering wage premiums of up to 107% for AI-related jobs, as the country observes a widespread surge in salaries offered to AI-skilled job candidates, according to a new report.
PwC's 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer, in its analysis of 1.6 million Singapore job postings in the past year, revealed that all sectors in the country are placing wage premiums on AI-related jobs.
Wage premiums for these roles begin at 36%, rising significantly to 107% for AI-related roles in the Government and Public sector, and up to 96% in the Consumer Markets sector.
According to the report, pay differentials in sectors where AI use is broad-based are "more contained," as the technology becomes part of everyday use.
By contrast, the report noted that sectors with lower hiring volumes may still show wage premiums because demand is likely concentrated in more specialised positions.
"The wage premiums we are seeing reflect the value organisations place on AI capabilities," said Kwek So Cheer, Partner, Digital Solutions, PwC Singapore.
But he noted that the bigger opportunity lies in equipping AI capabilities to the broader workforce, across roles and seniority levels, to apply AI in their day-to-day work.
"That's how we turn AI adoption into shared economic gains, higher-value jobs, and stronger long-term resilience for Singapore's people and businesses," he added.
AI adoption in Singapore
Conversations about wage premiums for AI-related roles come as Singapore transitions to a "mass AI-enabled workforce."
PwC's findings revealed that AI user roles accounted for 82% of AI-related job postings in Singapore, increasing by about 26,000 in 2025, much higher than the 4,200 expansion recorded for AI developer positions.
"The fact that 82% of AI-related job postings are for AI user roles, not specialists, tells us something important, that Singapore is moving toward a mass AI-enabled workforce, which can unlock significant economic gains," Kwek noted.
Anthony Dias, AI Hub Leader, PwC Singapore, added that their findings indicate that AI is no longer sitting "at the edge of the organisation."
"It is being embedded into workflows, roles, and decision-making across the workforce. That makes AI fluency the name of the game," Dias said.
He urged employers to establish governance, responsible AI practices, and risk safeguards that allow people to use AI with trust and confidence.
"This is not about replacing human judgement but strengthening it. It's about helping employees understand when to leverage AI, when to challenge it, and how to apply it responsibly in ways that build trust with employers, clients, and stakeholders," Dias added.
