The Cost of Hiring PRC Workers in Singapore

Hiring PRC (People's Republic of China) workers is a cost-effective way for Singapore employers to fill operational and support roles across retail, food and beverage, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing and engineering sectors. Understanding the full cost picture — not just the monthly salary — helps employers budget accurately and avoid surprises during the recruitment process.

The largest cost component is the worker's monthly salary, which varies by role, skill level, experience and sector. Frontline roles such as retail assistants, service crew and warehouse support typically command different salary levels than semi-skilled roles such as machine operators or maintenance technicians. Expected salaries should be discussed with our recruitment team based on your specific position and requirements.

Beyond base salary, employers of foreign workers in Singapore must plan for statutory costs administered by the Ministry of Manpower. These include the foreign worker levy, which depends on your sector and the worker's qualifications, and quota requirements that determine how many foreign workers your business may employ. Levies and quotas are revised from time to time, so employers should always confirm the current rates on the official MOM website before budgeting.

Employers should also plan for medical insurance, accommodation where applicable, and the one-off costs of recruitment, documentation and onboarding. As a licensed Singapore employment agency, NALA Employment charges recruitment service fees that depend on the position, the number of workers required and the complexity of the sourcing and Work Permit application process.

Because every hiring situation is different, we provide a transparent cost overview after understanding your manpower requirements. Submit an enquiry and our Singapore-based recruitment team will walk you through the applicable salary ranges, statutory costs and service fees for your sector.