Straits Times recently published Singapore salary increment projections for 2026, indicating 3–5% for most sectors, with some sectors exceeding 5%.

I’m not a researcher, nor did I run any poll on salary increments, but here’s my take on how you can position yourself to negotiate a better increment or promotion in 2026.

First, if you work in the tech sector and have not changed jobs in the past five years, it is very likely your salary hasn’t caught up with the market.

I’ve seen the tech hiring boom in 2021 and 2022, where tech employers were offering 20–40% salary increments, and sometimes more, to attract the best talent.

If you have not changed jobs or received a meaningful salary increment while staying in the same role, this is what you can do:

1️⃣ Find out what the market is paying for your skill set. Talk to recruiters, go for interviews, ask ChatGPT for salary ranges for your role, refer to job advertisements if they publish salary ranges, or speak to peers in the industry.

2️⃣ Take your findings back to your employer to negotiate for a better increment or even discuss promotion plans, especially if you have been smashing your targets and performing above your level.

⚠️ Some people get a job offer to negotiate salary increment with their employer. This can be a double-edged sword in my opinion, as it doesn’t sit well with many employers. In many cases, trust is broken when this approach is used.

🔔 You need to manage your career, as no one has time to do it for you, including your manager. Don’t wait for people to notice your performance. Have the conversation with your manager and ask what it takes to get a promotion. Then include the plan in your performance reviews and OKRs. If it is not documented, it’s not real.

💡 Conversely, if you received a strong increment from changing jobs in the past few years, your salary may now be above the market when you are looking for your next move. For most roles, the days of employers paying insane packages are largely over. Cost-cutting has been the theme in recent years, and it will likely carry on into 2026.

This is what you can do if you are looking for a change:

🚀 Focus on growth and learning opportunities over chasing a high increment. This makes you more attractive as a candidate and prices you more competitively against candidates who haven’t changed jobs in the past few years. Employers are looking for value in every hire in the age of AI. Research what the market is paying for your role and prioritise learning and growth over money.

If this resonates, ♻️ and share it with someone who’s planning their 2026 career move.