MS in the right stream is a major career advancement milestone. For the international student, the country in which he does his higher education plays a big role in career prospects. This blog will contrast the starting salary after MS across three popular countries of study, namely India, Singapore, and Australia. How salaries vary among these countries, and what influences them, shall be discussed further.
India: Starting Salary After MS
India is becoming a fast-emerging destination for technology, engineering and business sectors which have a high demand for skilled personnel. Salaries after MS vary according to the field of study or university and location.
Average Starting Salary: ₹6 Lakhs to ₹12 Lakhs per annum
- IT Jobs/Technology: For students from Computer Science, Data Science, and also the newest one on the block: Software Engineering, the fresher offers are going to be higher, very much around ₹8 Lakhs to ₹12 Lakhs a year.
- Engineering: Students graduating from a background like Mechanical, Civil or Electrical can expect a fresher offer around ₹6 Lakhs to ₹9 Lakhs.
- Business & Management: The starting salary for the MS in Business Analytics, Finance, or Management is approximately ₹7 Lakhs to ₹10 Lakhs.
Key Factors Affecting Salaries in India
- Location: Salaries vary according to the city. For example, jobs in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Hyderabad often pay more since there are large concentrations of technology companies and multi-nationals.
- Industry: Tech and software development usually pays more in India than would be the case in other streams like engineering or business analytics
- Company Reputation: Salary will likely be higher while working for giant multinational companies as Google, Amazon, or Microsoft compared to more local small setups.
Singapore: Starting Salary After MS
Singapore has become a global business and technology hub, with a high standard of living, economic stability, and proximity to booming Asian markets. The country offers a wealth of career opportunities, particularly for graduates in technology, finance, and engineering.
Average Starting Salary: SGD 4,000 to SGD 6,500 (approximately ₹2.4 Lakhs to ₹3.9 Lakhs per month)
- Tech and IT Jobs: For those graduating with an MS in Computer Science, AI, or Data Science, one would be expecting around SGD 5,000 to SGD 6,500 a month.
- Engineering: With an MS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Civil Engineering, they will find that their initial pay scale can fall anywhere from SGD 4,000 to SGD 5,500 per month.
- Business and Finance: MS graduates can expect a minimum of SGD 4,500 to SGD 6,000 per month working in Business Analytics, Finance or Management roles within a company depending on the former.
Key Factors Affecting Salaries in Singapore
- Industry: Technological and Finance industries have formed the backbone for most high pay jobs in Singapore. Fields involving Data Science, Software Engineering and Finance are higher paying.
- Size of Company: Larger MNCs pay a lot more money and provide higher benefits.
- Work Experience: For fresh graduates also, internships or work experience can be added to the initial salaries in Singapore.
Australia: Starting Salary After MS
Australia, known for its great education, laid-back lifestyle, and great career opportunities is a favourite destination for many international students. Cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane have much scope for MS graduates, particularly in IT, engineering, and healthcare.
Average Starting Salary: AUD 60,000 to AUD 85,000 (approximately ₹33 Lakhs to ₹47 Lakhs per annum)
- Tech and IT Jobs: The average starting salary for MS in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or AI graduates is around AUD 70,000 to AUD 85,000 per year.
- Engineering: The average starting salary for MS graduates in Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil Engineering ranges between AUD 60,000 and AUD 75,000 annually.
- Business and Finance: The average salary for graduates with a focus on Business Analytics or Finance is between AUD 65,000 and AUD 80,000 per year, with higher pay potential depending on the industry and role.
Key Factors Affecting Salaries in Australia
- Industry: Similar to other countries, the technology and finance sectors tend to offer the highest salaries for MS graduates in Australia. However, engineering and healthcare fields also offer lucrative opportunities.
- Location: The major cities, Sydney and Melbourne, have the highest salaries, but these cities also come with a higher cost of living.
- Visa Status: For international students, the ability to obtain a post-study work visa plays a major role in securing higher paying jobs in Australia.
Comparing the Starting Salaries: India vs Singapore vs Australia
| Country | Average Starting Salary | Tech/IT Jobs | Engineering Jobs | Business/Finance Jobs |
| India | ₹6 Lakhs to ₹12 Lakhs | ₹8 Lakhs to ₹12 Lakhs | ₹6 Lakhs to ₹9 Lakhs | ₹7 Lakhs to ₹10 Lakhs |
| Singapore | SGD 4,000 to SGD 6,500/month | SGD 5,000 to SGD 6,500 | SGD 4,000 to SGD 5,500 | SGD 4,500 to SGD 6,000 |
| Australia | AUD 60,000 to AUD 85,000/year | AUD 70,000 to AUD 85,000 | AUD 60,000 to AUD 75,000 | AUD 65,000 to AUD 80,000 |
Conclusion
Where to study and work after MS should depend on your career goals, the industry you’re targeting and your long term goals. Australia and Singapore offer good salaries and career prospects so are best for students looking for high paying jobs post MS. But India with growing economy and competitive job market also offers a great opportunity to launch your career if you’re willing to take advantage of the country’s rapidly growing sectors like technology and business analytics.
Studying MS abroad, regardless of the location, will surely give you rich skills, networking, and opportunities to start an excellent future career.