Commentary
Remember the wild days of 2021 and 2022 when recruiter salaries were skyrocketing, and base salaries jumped by up to 40%? Well, that bubble has well and truly burst. Salaries have mostly settled back to pre-COVID levels, and in some cases, they’ve dipped even lower.
That said, not all recruiters are feeling the squeeze. If you’re a strong 360 recruiter—fully client-facing, a true expert in your space, and billing north of SGD 400,000 a year—you’re still in a position to negotiate. Whether it’s a higher base, better commission splits, or lower thresholds, the top billers continue to hold some bargaining power.
We’re also seeing more sign-on and guaranteed bonuses, especially for contracting leadership roles. Contract recruitment is in demand, and those who can build a desk from scratch are securing decent guarantees. But let’s be real—nothing beats the security of an existing book of business.
Certain markets are still performing well. Commodities, Consumer, Legal, Contracting, Finance in Financial Services, and Front Office remain solid billing spaces, meaning recruiters in these sectors can push for better base salaries. That said, the top billers tend to focus less on base and more on total earnings—after all, that’s where the real money is.
Commission structures play a huge role in earning potential. Firms with dollar-zero commission models (monthly payouts) typically offer lower but more structured base salaries. The upside? Those base salaries tend to climb quickly. Interestingly, recruiters in these setups often end up earning more on average than those on total comp structures. Why? It’s usually the highly driven recruiters who back themselves and opt for this model. That said, it can be limiting for the truly big billers who want unlimited earning potential.
Salary Ranges & Billing Expectations
Associate Consultant
- Base Salary: SGD 2,800 – 3,500
- Billing Expectation: N/A
Consultant
- Base Salary: SGD 3,200 – 5,500
- Billing Expectation: SGD 180,000
Senior Consultant
- Base Salary: SGD 5,700 – 7,000
- Billing Expectation: SGD 300,000 – 400,000
Principal Consultant
- Base Salary: SGD 6,500 – 8,500
- Billing Expectation: SGD 400,000 – 500,000
Senior Principal (Individual Contributor)
- Base Salary: SGD 8,500 – 12,000
- Billing Expectation: SGD 500,000 – 700,000
Team Leader
- Base Salary: SGD 7,800 – 9,500
- Billing Expectation: SGD 300,000 (Managing a team of 2-3)
Senior Manager
- Base Salary: SGD 9,500 – 15,000
- Billing Expectation: SGD 300,000 (Individual Contributor) / Team of 4-10
Managing Director
- Base Salary: SGD 15,000 – 25,000
- Salary varies based on team size and P&L responsibility
Final Thoughts
The market has shifted, but there are still plenty of opportunities for those who know how to position themselves. The strongest recruiters—those who can bill, develop business, and truly own their space—are still making great money. Whether it’s negotiating higher bases, structuring better commission schemes, or securing guaranteed bonuses, the key is knowing your worth and backing yourself. Recruitment is still one of the most lucrative sales careers out there—if you play it right.
