Salary data
Government & GLC Internship Salaries in Singapore 2026
MAS pays SGD 1,800–2,200, GovTech 1,500–2,000, Temasek and GIC 2,000–3,000. Here is the full breakdown of government and GLC internship salaries in Singapore for 2026 — including ministries, statutory boards, and sovereign wealth funds.
Government & GLC Internship Salaries in Singapore 2026
Singapore's public sector is one of the largest employers of interns in the city-state. Ministries, statutory boards, government-linked companies (GLCs), and sovereign wealth funds collectively absorb thousands of interns each year. Pay varies dramatically — from SGD 800/month at some ministries to SGD 3,000/month at Temasek Holdings.
This guide breaks down exactly what each type of government employer pays, what to expect from the experience, and how to position yourself for the most competitive roles.
Sovereign Wealth Funds and Investment Entities
These are the highest-paying public sector employers in Singapore. Temasek Holdings and GIC manage hundreds of billions in assets and recruit aggressively from top local and overseas universities.
| Organisation | Role | Monthly Allowance (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| Temasek Holdings | Investment Intern (Corporate Strategy, Portfolio) | 2,500 – 3,500 |
| GIC (Government of Singapore Investment Corporation) | Investment / Technology Intern | 2,000 – 3,000 |
| MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) | Economics / Financial Supervision / Fintech | 1,800 – 2,500 |
Temasek and GIC internships are extremely competitive — comparable to MBB consulting and bulge bracket banking in selectivity. Both organisations recruit from NUS, NTU, SMU, and top overseas universities (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Wharton). A strong GPA alone is insufficient; demonstrated intellectual curiosity, analytical skills, and interest in investment thinking are essential.
Financial Regulators and Market Authorities
| Organisation | Department | Monthly Allowance (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) | Banking Supervision | 1,800 – 2,200 |
| MAS | Markets and Development | 1,800 – 2,200 |
| MAS | Fintech and Innovation | 1,900 – 2,300 |
| SGX (Singapore Exchange) | Market Surveillance, Listings | 1,600 – 2,000 |
| ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) | Policy, Research | 1,200 – 1,600 |
MAS is consistently regarded as one of the best public sector internship destinations. Interns work on live policy papers, supervise banks and capital markets participants, and gain exposure to ASEAN financial regulation. The fintech and innovation team (FSTI) is particularly sought after by students interested in digital payments, CBDC, and regulatory sandboxes.
Technology Agencies
| Organisation | Monthly Allowance (SGD) |
|---|---|
| GovTech (Government Technology Agency) | 1,500 – 2,200 |
| DSTA (Defence Science and Technology Agency) | 1,500 – 2,000 |
| DSO National Laboratories | 1,600 – 2,200 |
| IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority) | 1,400 – 1,800 |
| CAAS (Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore) | 1,200 – 1,600 |
GovTech offers one of the best government technology internship experiences in Asia. Interns work on real government digital products — LifeSG, Singpass, RedeemSG, and the Singapore Government Tech Stack. Roles include software engineering, product management, UX design, and data science.
Economic Development and Trade Bodies
| Organisation | Monthly Allowance (SGD) |
|---|---|
| EDB (Economic Development Board) | 1,600 – 2,000 |
| Enterprise Singapore | 1,400 – 1,800 |
| MTI (Ministry of Trade and Industry) | 1,200 – 1,600 |
| ESG (Economic Development Board — formerly EDB internship arm) | 1,500 – 1,900 |
| STB (Singapore Tourism Board) | 1,200 – 1,600 |
EDB internships are highly regarded for business students interested in investment promotion, industry development, and economic policy. Projects often involve researching global investment trends or supporting pitch decks for attracting multinational headquarters to Singapore.
Ministries and Core Government Departments
| Ministry / Department | Monthly Allowance (SGD) |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Finance (MOF) | 1,200 – 1,600 |
| Ministry of Education (MOE) | 800 – 1,400 |
| Ministry of Health (MOH) | 1,000 – 1,400 |
| Ministry of Manpower (MOM) | 1,000 – 1,400 |
| Ministry of National Development (MND) | 1,000 – 1,400 |
| Public Service Division (PSD) | 1,200 – 1,600 |
Ministries tend to pay the lowest allowances in the public sector. However, the quality of exposure for policy-oriented students is excellent. Working on a budget consultation paper at MOF or a labour market study at MOM provides genuine policy experience that is hard to replicate elsewhere.
Statutory Boards
| Statutory Board | Monthly Allowance (SGD) |
|---|---|
| HDB (Housing and Development Board) | 1,000 – 1,500 |
| URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority) | 1,000 – 1,500 |
| LTA (Land Transport Authority) | 1,200 – 1,700 |
| NEA (National Environment Agency) | 1,000 – 1,400 |
| JTC Corporation | 1,200 – 1,600 |
| Sport Singapore | 900 – 1,300 |
| NParks | 900 – 1,300 |
GLCs: Government-Linked Companies
Singapore Airlines, ST Engineering, Singtel, Keppel, and CapitaLand are classified as GLCs — private companies with Temasek as a significant shareholder. They typically pay more than ministries but less than Temasek itself.
| GLC | Monthly Allowance (SGD) |
|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines (SIA) | 1,400 – 2,000 |
| ST Engineering | 1,200 – 1,800 |
| Singtel | 1,200 – 1,700 |
| CapitaLand | 1,200 – 1,700 |
| Keppel Corporation | 1,200 – 1,600 |
| SATS | 1,000 – 1,500 |
Negotiation in the Public Sector
Unlike private sector roles, government and most GLC internship allowances are fixed by internal compensation bands. Negotiation is generally not practised or accepted. The allowance you are offered is the allowance you will receive.
Why Apply Despite Lower Pay
Many public sector internships offer exposure and networking advantages that pure salary comparisons undervalue. An MAS internship signals intellectual quality and financial depth to future employers. A Temasek or GIC placement is a genuine differentiator for private equity and investment management careers. For students considering public service as a career, these internships are also the primary pathway to Public Service Commission (PSC) scholarship consideration.
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