PayMetric Labs
YA2026 IRAS Rates · Income Tax + CPF

AI Research Scientist Take-Home Pay in Singapore YA2026

An AI Research Scientist earning the median salary of SGD11K/mo in Singapore takes home approximately $105,678/year ($8,807/month) after IRAS Income Tax and CPF contributions, using YA2026 rates.

AI Research Scientist take-home pay by seniority

2026 median salary for each level in Singapore, and what it leaves after IRAS Income Tax and CPF contributions. Singapore Citizen/PR, age 30 or under, resident tax rates.

LevelGross / yearTake-home / year
Junior$84,000$64,746$5,396/mo
Mid-levelHeadline median$132,000$105,678$8,807/mo
Senior$180,000$146,706$12,226/mo
Lead / Principal$240,000$195,698$16,308/mo

The biggest pay step is Senior to Lead / Principal: $60,000 more a year before tax, of which $48,992 reaches take-home. 18% of that raise goes to IRAS Income Tax and CPF contributions, close to the average 18% on the Senior salary, so a raise keeps roughly the same share as the rest of your pay.

Adjust for your actual salary

The table above uses the AI Research Scientist median. Enter your own gross salary below for a precise figure.

S$

YA2026 resident tax rates

Progressive Income Tax from 0% to 24%. CPF applies only to Citizens/PRs: Employment Pass and S Pass holders pay 0% CPF.

No CPF contribution, only Income Tax is deducted, same rates as a Citizen/PR.

Common salaries:

Annual take-home pay

$122,250

Per month

$10,188

Per week

$2,351

Effective deduction rate

7.4%

CPF (employee)

S$0 (no CPF)

How your $132,000 is split

Take-home

$122,250

92.6%

Income Tax

$9,750

7.4%

CPF (employee)

$0

0.0%

Gross salary$132,000
Income Tax-$9,750
CPF (employee, N/A, foreigner)-$0
Total deductions-$9,750
Net take-home (annual)$122,250

Calculations use YA2026 IRAS resident individual Income Tax rates and 2026 CPF contribution rates. Assumes a full-year tax resident (183+ days) for the foreigner toggle: short work stays and non-resident taxation are different regimes and not modelled here. CPF assumes Ordinary Wages only (no bonus/Additional Wage ceiling modelling) and a simplified age band split. Does not account for personal reliefs, which reduce chargeable income further. For precise figures consult IRAS, CPF Board, or a Singapore tax professional.

Permanent salary or contract?

Permanent median

$132,000

$105,678 take-home

Contract median

$800/day

≈ $176,000 gross a year

At a median $800/day, contract work grosses about $176,000 a year over 220 billable days, 33% more than the $132,000 permanent median. That premium has to pay for what an employer would otherwise cover: paid holiday and sick days, pension contributions, and the gaps between contracts.

Contract and permanent benchmarks come from separate samples, so treat the gap as a guide rather than a like-for-like quote. See AI Research Scientist contract rates and contractor take-home →

Frequently asked questions

1

How much does an AI Research Scientist take home in Singapore?

An AI Research Scientist earning the median salary of SGD11K/mo in Singapore takes home approximately $105,678 per year ($8,807 per month) as a Singapore Citizen or PR, after IRAS Income Tax and CPF contributions, using YA2026 resident rates.

2

What is the effective tax rate for an AI Research Scientist in Singapore?

On a median AI Research Scientist salary of SGD11K/mo, the effective deduction rate (Income Tax and CPF combined) is 19.9%, leaving $105,678 as take-home pay for a Citizen/PR.

3

How much Income Tax does an AI Research Scientist pay in Singapore?

On a SGD11K/mo salary, an AI Research Scientist pays approximately $7,122 in IRAS Income Tax per year under YA2026 resident progressive rates (0% up to S$20,000 of chargeable income, rising in steps to 24% above S$1,000,000).

4

Do Employment Pass holders pay CPF in Singapore?

No. CPF (Central Provident Fund) applies only to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. Foreigners on an Employment Pass or S Pass make no CPF contribution at all, which means a lower total deduction but no CPF nest egg or housing/investment benefits tied to it.

5

How much CPF does an AI Research Scientist contribute in Singapore?

A Singapore Citizen or PR AI Research Scientist aged 55 or under contributes 20% of Ordinary Wages (up to the S$8,000/month CPF ceiling effective 2026) to CPF. On a SGD11K/mo salary, that's approximately $19,200 per year in employee CPF contributions.

6

What does a senior AI Research Scientist take home in Singapore?

A senior AI Research Scientist in Singapore earns a median $180,000 a year and takes home approximately $146,706 ($12,226 per month) after IRAS Income Tax and CPF contributions, an effective rate of 18.5%.

7

What does a junior AI Research Scientist take home in Singapore?

A junior AI Research Scientist in Singapore earns a median $84,000 a year and takes home approximately $64,746 ($5,396 per month) after IRAS Income Tax and CPF contributions, an effective rate of 22.9%.

8

How much of a promotion does an AI Research Scientist keep after tax in Singapore?

The biggest pay step is Senior to Lead / Principal: $60,000 more a year before tax, of which $48,992 reaches take-home. 18% of that raise goes to IRAS Income Tax and CPF contributions, close to the average 18% on the Senior salary, so a raise keeps roughly the same share as the rest of your pay.

9

Do contract AI Research Scientist roles pay more than permanent ones in Singapore?

At a median $800/day, contract work grosses about $176,000 a year over 220 billable days, 33% more than the $132,000 permanent median. That premium has to pay for what an employer would otherwise cover: paid holiday and sick days, pension contributions, and the gaps between contracts. Contract and permanent benchmarks come from separate samples, so treat the gap as a guide.

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