How to Negotiate Your Internship Salary in Singapore

How to Negotiate Your Internship Salary in Singapore

Salary negotiation is uncomfortable for most people — and for Singapore students, cultural norms around not being seen as greedy or difficult make it even harder to initiate. But the reality is that many private sector employers, especially tech companies and startups, genuinely expect candidates to negotiate. Not doing so is leaving money on the table.

This guide tells you exactly when to negotiate, what to say, what not to say, and when negotiation is a bad idea.

When Negotiation Is Appropriate

Yes, negotiate:

• Startup internships (seed through Series C)
• Mid-size tech companies and software firms
• Boutique consulting firms
• Regional companies (not US or European MNCs with fixed compensation bands)
• Any employer who says "the offer is flexible" during the verbal offer call

Do not negotiate:

• Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and other bulge bracket banks (salaries are set by global HR policy; pushing back creates a poor impression)
• McKinsey, BCG, Bain (compensation is standardised; negotiation is not expected)
• Government ministries and statutory boards (fixed government pay grades)
• MAS, GovTech, Temasek, GIC (all have fixed intern compensation bands)

The Best Time to Negotiate

The optimal moment to negotiate is after you have received a written offer but before you have signed it. This gives you leverage (they want you), time to research, and a paper trail if anything is later disputed.

Do not attempt to negotiate during the interview itself. Do not negotiate via WhatsApp. Do not negotiate by saying you have another offer before you actually have one — recruiters call this out.

Research Market Rates First

Before negotiating, you need a number to anchor to. Use:

• Internship.sg salary data (this site)
• Glassdoor (filter to Singapore, internship role)
• LinkedIn Salary Insights
• NUS/NTU career fair reports (published annually by career services offices)
• Direct conversations with seniors who interned at the same company

Come to the negotiation knowing the range for your role, your school, and your year of study. A Year 3 NUS Computer Science student applying to a Series B startup can reasonably cite SGD 2,000 – 2,500 as market rate for a software engineering internship.

The Negotiation Script

Via email (recommended for written record):

Dear [Recruiter's Name],

Thank you so much for the offer to join [Company] as a [Role] intern. I'm genuinely excited about the opportunity and the team.

Before I formally accept, I wanted to have a quick conversation about the compensation. Based on my research of current market rates for [role type] internships in Singapore, and considering my [specific relevant experience or skill], I was hoping we could explore an allowance of SGD [your target number].

I'm very keen to join the team and I'm confident I can add real value. Would you be open to discussing this?

Best regards, [Your Name]

In a phone or video call:

Start by expressing genuine enthusiasm. Then:

"I'm really excited about this role and I think it would be a great fit. I did want to ask — is there any flexibility on the monthly allowance? Based on what I've seen for similar roles in the market, I was thinking around SGD [target]. Is that something we could work toward?"

Then stop talking. Wait for their response. The silence is not yours to fill.

What to Say If They Push Back

If they say the budget is fixed:

"I understand — I just wanted to check. Could we potentially look at other parts of the package, like a transport or meal allowance, or a flexible work-from-home arrangement?"

This pivots from salary (which may genuinely be fixed) to non-cash benefits (which often have more flexibility).

If they say they'll get back to you:

"Of course, I appreciate you checking. I'll hold off on my formal response until I hear from you."

Set a clear deadline in your own mind (48–72 hours) and follow up if you don't hear back.

What to Cite When Negotiating

Effective anchors:

• "Based on [Company X] intern salaries published on internship.sg / Glassdoor for similar roles"
• "I have a competing offer from [Company Y] at SGD [amount]" (only if true)
• "Given my prior experience with [specific relevant skill or tool], I'd be stepping into the role ready to contribute from day one"

Do not cite your cost of living, your rent, or your personal financial needs. These are irrelevant to the employer's compensation decision and weaken your negotiating position.

Typical Outcomes

In most private sector negotiations, a successful outcome looks like:

• A 10–20% increase over the initial offer (e.g., moving from SGD 1,500 to SGD 1,700 or 1,800)
• Or a non-cash benefit added (meal allowance, transport, WFH days)

Do not expect a 50% increase. If an employer's budget is genuinely stretched, pushing too hard risks creating friction before you've started.

After the Negotiation

Once you've agreed on a revised offer, ask for an updated offer letter in writing. Then sign promptly — dragging out the decision after successful negotiation creates doubt.

And if they decline to move at all? You have two choices: accept the original offer if you want the role, or decline professionally. Either is a legitimate outcome. The act of asking does not burn bridges at reasonable employers.