Owing to the Smart Nation initiative by the Singapore government, AI engineers in the country are drawing competitive salaries ranging from SGD 90,000 to SGD 170,000 per annum. These figures are likely to vary from one professional to another; however, salaries increase proportionately to their experience and other factors.
The career outlook for AI engineers is rapidly expanding, particularly amid the rapid growth of Generative AI. Expertise in this domain is creating increasing demand for professionals in Singapore, to the extent that the country is now positioning itself as an international leader in AI.
This blog details current and future trends in career growth in the AI sector in Singapore, highlighting the top skills required of engineers in the field and the average AI Engineer salary.
Source: Morgan McKinley
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AI Engineer Salary in Singapore: Role-Wise Breakdown
The average salary of an AI Engineer is likely to vary based on years of experience, role, and the organisation they work in. Entry-level roles generally start at lower packages, but as professionals gain skills and experience, their pay tends to increase.
The table below shares the role-wise breakdown of an AI Engineer in Singapore for better understanding:
| AI Engineer Role | Average Salary (Approx) |
| Junior AI Engineer | SGD 55,000 – SGD 60,000 per annum |
| Mid-Level AI Engineer | SGD 40,000 – SGD 90,000 per annum |
| Senior AI Engineer | SGD 90,000 – SGD 170,000 per annum |
| Machine Learning Engineer | SGD 47,078 – SGD 67,914 per annum |
| Computer Vision Engineer | SGD 108,000 – SGD 144,000 per annum |
Sources: Glassdoor, Morgan McKinley, Payscale, Michael Page
1. Junior AI Engineer
A Junior AI Engineer assists their seniors in the team for deploying, developing, and maintaining AI and ML models. It is generally an entry-level role that offers practical experience across the entire lifecycle of an AI project.
Top responsibilities:
- Assisting in the development of ML models for classification, regression, and NLP.
- Writing code in Python, and optimising and debugging models for more accuracy and efficient performance.
Key skills:
- Proficiency in Python programming.
- Basic experience in cloud platforms like Google Cloud, AWS, and Azure.
Also read: Generative AI Jobs in Singapore
2. Mid-Level AI Engineer
A mid-level AI Engineer is responsible for the design and deployment of AI systems and ML pipelines. They also ensure the regular maintenance of these systems and specialise in computer vision, AI, and NLP. The role is generally mid-level, meaning professionals have around 2-5 years of experience in the area.
Top responsibilities:
- Designing and maintaining data infrastructure.
- Building and testing AI applications’ prototypes to obtain feedback before developing them on a full scale.
Key skills:
- In-depth knowledge of ML algorithms and deep learning.
- Proficiency in cleaning, handling data, and data analysis through tools such as SQL.
Also read: 10 Advanced Generative AI Techniques to Boost Workflow
3. Senior AI Engineer
Senior AI Engineers are more experienced software developers who are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining advanced AI systems. They have a strong proficiency in Large Language Models (LLMs), ML, and agent development.
Top responsibilities:
- Creating and integrating end-to-end solutions – from front-end interfaces to back-end services.
- Managing databases such as SQL and NoSQL.
Key skills:
- Advanced knowledge in the Python language, in addition to Go or Java.
- Experience in cloud platforms and CI/CD tools.
4. Machine Learning Engineer
These professionals are known for researching, creating, and maintaining AI/ML systems. They design algorithms that allow machines to learn from data and make appropriate predictions. ML Engineers implement machine learning models and conduct programming and statistical analysis.
Top responsibilities:
- Writing code to apply ML algorithms practically.
- Overseeing and updating the existing ML systems.
Key skills:
- Strong background in software engineering.
- Working experience with tools such as PyTorch and TensorFlow.
Also read: The Definitive Guide to Mastering Machine Learning
5. Computer Vision Engineer
Computer Vision Engineers are responsible for designing systems that enable computers to interpret visual data, such as images and videos, and for building and refining algorithms. They apply their knowledge of ML and deep learning to classify images, detect objects, and deploy these models in real-world applications.
Top responsibilities:
- Testing and troubleshooting systems to maintain the reliability, accuracy, and adherence to regulations.
- Cleaning, pre-processing, and handling large sets of data for specific vision tasks.
Also read: 5 Best Generative AI Tools for Text Generation to Simplify Your Work
Factors Influencing AI Engineer Salaries
Some key factors that affect the salaries of AI Engineers include the type of specialisation, years of work experience, academic background, and job location. In addition, other criteria, such as the type of organisation and industry, are key determinants in determining the salary packages of professionals applying for various AI Engineer jobs.
- Academic credentials: The qualifications and skills of the applicant are among the top criteria for determining their salary. An advanced degree in AI, computer science, or a related field generally commands higher pay packages. So do technical skills such as proficiency in programming languages like Python and experience with cloud platforms like AWS.
- Work experience: As a general practice, the higher the number of years of professional experience in the field, the greater the salary packages they can command. This is attributed to the in-depth understanding they gain in their area of work, which comes with experience, and makes them eligible for higher pay.
- Type of company: The type of organisation that AI Engineers choose to work for also helps determine their salaries. For instance, big tech firms generally offer higher salary packages, along with additional perks and benefits, than small startups.
Also read: AI Career Opportunities in Singapore
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FAQs
The exact pay scale may vary from one engineer to another. However, on average, the salary range is expected to be between SGD 40,000 and SGD 170,000 per annum.
Entry-level AI Engineers in Singapore may earn an average of SGD 55,000-60,000 per annum. This, however, is likely to vary across professionals within different organisations.
Yes, AI Engineers are in high demand in Singapore in 2025, owing to a booming tech landscape, strong government support, and Singapore’s positioning as a global AI hub.
Senior AI Engineers with 5-10 years of experience in the field are likely to earn a salary range of SGD 90,000 – SGD 170,000 per annum, depending on the organisation, skills, and experience of the candidate.
The general career route that AI Engineers in Singapore can take after completing their degree program includes Junior AI Developer (entry-level) →ML Engineer →AI Architect or Data Scientist (senior roles).
