Major Pay Hike for Healthcare Workers
Singapore’s Minister for Health, Ong Ye Kung, announced a significant salary increase for 37,000 public healthcare workers starting mid-2025. This initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to attract, retain, and reward professionals in the healthcare sector amid rising demand for services.
The salary hike will benefit three key groups:
- Allied Health Professionals (AHPs): Physiotherapists, medical social workers, radiographers, lab technologists, and others who provide essential diagnostic and rehabilitative care.
- Pharmacists: Experts responsible for dispensing medications, advising patients, and ensuring safe pharmaceutical practices.
- Administrative, Ancillary, and Support Staff: Workers who manage hospital operations, provide logistical support, and ensure smooth healthcare delivery.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is currently working out the details of the salary adjustments in collaboration with other ministries and labor unions.
Why Is This Pay Raise Necessary?
1. Rising Demand for Healthcare Workers
Singapore’s population is aging rapidly, leading to an increased demand for medical services and qualified healthcare professionals. A pay increase will help address staff shortages and ensure that Singapore continues to provide high-quality healthcare.
2. Attracting and Retaining Talent
Many professionals in the healthcare industry have alternative career opportunities in private hospitals or overseas institutions. This salary adjustment is aimed at making the public healthcare sector more financially attractive and competitive.
3. Previous Salary Adjustments Were in 2021
The last salary increment for these groups was in 2021. Since then, cost-of-living pressures have increased, making it essential to revise wages to match market standards.
Public Healthcare Nurses to Receive Additional Salary Adjustments
Beyond the 37,000 beneficiaries, an additional 26,000 public healthcare nurses will also receive incremental salary adjustments.
- This increase will be smaller than the one for AHPs and pharmacists, as nurses are already benefiting from the Angel Scheme.
- The Angel (Award for Nurses’ Grace, Excellence, and Loyalty) Scheme, launched in September 2024, provides up to $100,000 in payouts over 20 years for long-serving nurses in the public sector.
With this multi-pronged approach, the government aims to boost morale, encourage long-term retention, and recognize the contributions of healthcare workers.
Reactions from the Healthcare Industry
The announcement has been met with widespread approval from key figures in the healthcare industry:
- Healthcare Services Employees’ Union President K. Thanaletchimi welcomed the move, describing it as timely and necessary to support frontline healthcare workers.
- Prof. Tan Bee Yee, Chief Allied Health Professional at SingHealth, emphasized that this adjustment acknowledges the vital role of AHPs and other healthcare professionals in patient care.
These increases are seen as a long-overdue recognition of the contributions made by healthcare workers, especially after their tireless efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond Salaries: Strengthening Singapore’s Healthcare Workforce
MOH is not just increasing salaries—it is also introducing several workforce development initiatives, including:
- Encouraging Mid-Career Entrants: Providing opportunities for professionals from other industries to transition into healthcare.
- Job Redesign & Career Progression: Improving career pathways to help healthcare workers grow within the system.
- Enhanced Workplace Safety & Protection: Implementing a zero-tolerance policy against abuse and harassment, ensuring a safe work environment for all healthcare employees.
These reforms aim to boost employee satisfaction, attract top talent, and ensure the sustainability of Singapore’s healthcare system.
Minister’s Visit to SGH & OCH
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung made this announcement while visiting Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and Outram Community Hospital (OCH) on January 29, 2025.
During his visit, he:
- Spoke to patients and frontline staff about their experiences and concerns.
- Distributed oranges in celebration of Chinese New Year as a symbolic gesture of prosperity.
- Participated in a lohei session, a traditional Chinese New Year practice symbolizing good fortune and success.
His visit reinforced the government’s commitment to supporting and recognizing healthcare workers’ contributions.
What’s Next?
With salary adjustments set for mid-2025, the coming months will focus on finalizing the exact details of the pay hikes. MOH is expected to:
✅ Release salary increase figures for each category of healthcare worker.
✅ Outline how the pay adjustments will be implemented.
✅ Provide a roadmap for future salary revisions to keep up with inflation and demand.
Conclusion
This salary hike for 37,000 healthcare professionals marks a significant step in making Singapore’s public healthcare sector more attractive, sustainable, and competitive. Along with additional adjustments for 26,000 nurses, the government is ensuring that healthcare workers are fairly compensated and supported in their essential roles.
By investing in its healthcare workforce, Singapore is strengthening its public healthcare system—ensuring that both current and future generations receive high-quality medical care.
