Singapore top execs best-paid in Asia in US dollar terms: study

SINGAPORE companies pay their senior and top management the most in Asia in US dollar terms, according to a study by professional services company Towers Watson.

The annual base salaries in Singapore were about 10 per cent higher than the next best-paying location, Hong Kong, Towers Watson said. At the very top of the hierarchy, Singapore companies paid an average base salary of about US$586,000, 32 per cent more than the US$445,000 paid in Hong Kong.

Base salaries in Singapore and Hong Kong grew 3 to 4 per cent, although top management salaries rose at a faster clip of 6 to 8 per cent.

"We do see signs of regional HQs moving from Singapore to other lower-cost locations, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, to reduce staffing costs, subject to availability of talent," said Sambhav Rakyan, Asia-Pacific practice leader of Data Services.