Beyond the Paycheck: 74% of Professionals

Ambition Singapore has released its annual Market Insights & Salary Guide, offering a forward-looking view of hiring trends, workforce priorities, and evolving talent expectations. The report covers key sectors across Singapore, including technology, financial services, finance and accounting, legal, supply chain, engineering, sales and marketing, and business support.

This year’s edition brings together Ambition’s deep market expertise with findings from our latest Quick Pulse Survey, capturing perspectives on how organisations are evolving. We have consolidated feedback across industries to illustrate how companies are shifting from 2025 performance into 2026 growth strategies. This release also marks Ambition Singapore’s 20th anniversary, marking two decades of supporting clients and professionals in Building Better Futures across the region.

A Year Defined by Balance and Pragmatism

Reflecting on the findings, Michael Nette, Senior Managing Director, Singapore & India, shared that 2025 was less about rapid expansion and more about disciplined decision-making.

“Organisations focused on transformation while maintaining cost discipline. Hiring became more intentional as businesses navigated technology adoption, regulatory change, and shifting regional dynamics, even as demand remained steady in areas tied to digitalisation, governance, and resilience.”

Across the market, employers leaned into skills-based hiring, agile team structures, and selective use of contract talent. Professionals, meanwhile, prioritised stability, clarity in career progression, and flexibility in how work is structured, reinforcing a more grounded and pragmatic employment landscape.

Key Signals from the Quick Pulse Survey

Hiring continues, with sharper competition for specialist talent
Hiring activity remains active, with 50% of employers planning to hire over the next six months, particularly for roles linked to transformation, revenue, and compliance, while competition for experienced and specialist talent continues to intensify.
Career progression and culture increasingly shape job movement
Professionals remain open to new opportunities, with 64% considering a job change in the next six months, but decisions are increasingly guided by career growth (18%), company culture (17%), and work-life balance and flexibility (28% combined), rather than compensation alone.
AI adoption is steady, not disruptive
AI adoption across organisations remains measured, with 84% of employers either exploring, piloting, or developing AI capabilities, and 75% reporting that roles have not been replaced by AI, reinforcing a focus on productivity, role refinement, and process efficiency rather than job displacement.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Singapore’s position as a regional hub will continue to influence hiring priorities in 2026. Demand is expected to remain steady, with growth focusing on digital, data, governance, sustainability, and commercially aligned roles. Employers that invest in multi-skilled talent and flexible workforce models will be better positioned to manage complexity and support long-term growth.

For professionals, opportunities will increasingly favour those who combine technical capability with commercial judgement, adaptability, and strong stakeholder skills, particularly in leaner, faster-moving environments.

Ambition’s 2026 Market Insights & Salary Guide provides sector-specific analysis and practical guidance for employers planning workforce strategies and professionals navigating their next career move.

The full report is now available for download.

Contact

Nadiah Affendi, Senior Marketing Manager, Ambition Asia

nadiah.affendi@ambition.com.my

About Ambition

Since 1999, we believe that work is at its best when it is powered by people, which is why human connection sits at the heart of everything we do. From matching exceptional talent to the right opportunities to building partnerships that help careers and companies thrive, our goal is simple: to create success stories for businesses and bold moves for people. Our purpose of Building Better Futures guides every client, candidate, and employee experience.

Ambition was founded in Australia in 1999 by Nick Waterworth and Paul Lyons, who set out to create a recruitment firm defined by quality, market expertise and long-lasting relationships. Today, Ambition recruits across Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Australia, the UK, and the US. We remain one of the few global recruitment firms with genuine local expertise and a personal, relationship-led approach.

Ambition Singapore was established in 2006 and has supported both multinational corporations and local organisations for two decades. We recruit talented professionals across banking & financial services, business support, engineering & manufacturing, finance & accounting, legal, technology, sales & marketing, and supply chain & procurement.

The Singapore business is led by Michael Nette, Senior Managing Director of Ambition Singapore & India. Michael brings more than 20 years of recruitment experience across Asia and is recognised for his extensive industry knowledge, leadership capability and strong track record of success. Under his leadership, the team has built a strong reputation for specialist expertise, trusted partnerships and a steadfast commitment to Building Better Futures.