Short answer: an Employment Pass application needs 40 COMPASS points to pass. Four foundational criteria (salary, qualifications, diversity and support for local employment) each score 0, 10 or 20, and two bonus criteria add up to 20 more for a Shortage Occupation List job and 10 for a Strategic Economic Priorities firm. This COMPASS points calculator scores all six with the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) published C1 salary benchmarks for every sector and age, then checks the separate EP qualifying salary.
Figures checked 3 Oct 2026 against MOM's EP eligibility page and both C1 benchmark releases: the August 2025 table for new applications in 2026, and the August 2026 table for new applications from 1 January 2027.
COMPASS Points Calculator
Scores all six COMPASS criteria with MOM's published C1 salary benchmarks by sector and age. 40 points passes.
Key Takeaways
- The pass mark is 40 points. C1 to C4 score up to 20 each, C5 up to 20 and C6 up to 10.
- C1 compares fixed monthly salary with local PMET salaries in the same sector and age: the 65th percentile earns 10 points and the 90th percentile earns 20.
- Firms with fewer than 25 PMETs get 10 points by default on both C3 and C4, so a small firm only needs 20 more from C1, C2, C5 or C6.
- A fixed salary of at least S$22,500 a month, an overseas intra-corporate transfer, or a role of one month or less is exempt from COMPASS.
- COMPASS sits on top of the EP qualifying salary, which is S$5,600 to S$10,700 by age today (S$6,200 to S$11,800 in financial services) and rises from 1 January 2027.
How the Six COMPASS Criteria Score
MOM scores every new EP application, and renewals, on the same framework. Each foundational criterion has three outcomes. The bonus criteria add points but cannot take any away.
| Criterion | 20 points | 10 points | 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 Salary | At or above 90th percentile of local PMET pay for the sector and age | 65th to below 90th percentile | Below 65th percentile |
| C2 Qualifications | Degree from a top-tier institution on MOM's list | Other degree-equivalent qualification | No degree-equivalent |
| C3 Diversity | Candidate's nationality is under 5% of the firm's PMETs | 5% to under 25%, or the firm has fewer than 25 PMETs | 25% or more |
| C4 Support for local employment | Local PMET share at or above the subsector's 50th percentile | 20th to below 50th percentile, the firm has fewer than 25 PMETs, or local share is 70% or more | Below 20th percentile |
| C5 Skills bonus | Job on the Shortage Occupation List and nationality share under one third | Job on the list, nationality share one third or more | Not on the list |
| C6 Strategic Economic Priorities | Not available | Firm takes part in an eligible programme | Does not take part |
Where Each Number Comes From
C1 uses MOM's benchmark tables, which are built from its annual Comprehensive Labour Force Survey and updated once a year. C2 uses MOM's top-tier institution list, released in November 2025 for applications from 1 January 2026; Group A schools earn 20 points for every faculty and Group B schools only for named faculties. C3 and C4 are worked out from the firm's own PMET workforce. Bonus points under C6 last up to three years or for as long as the firm stays in the programme, whichever is shorter.
C1 Salary Benchmarks by Sector and Age
This is the criterion most people get wrong, because the benchmark is not one number. It depends on the employer's sector and the candidate's age, and it climbs steeply in finance and technology. The figures below are from MOM's August 2025 release, which applies to new applications submitted in 2026. Each cell shows the salary for 10 points, then for 20 points.
| Sector (2026 applications) | Age 23 or below | Age 30 | Age 35 | Age 40 | Age 45 and above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Info-communication Technology | S$6,939 / S$9,778 | S$8,971 / S$13,959 | S$10,423 / S$16,945 | S$11,874 / S$19,931 | S$13,326 / S$22,917 |
| Banking and other financial services | S$7,510 / S$11,151 | S$11,251 / S$17,401 | S$13,922 / S$21,865 | S$16,594 / S$26,329 | S$19,266 / S$30,793 |
| Professional Services | S$6,175 / S$9,589 | S$8,010 / S$13,772 | S$9,320 / S$16,761 | S$10,631 / S$19,749 | S$11,941 / S$22,737 |
| Manufacturing | S$5,609 / S$7,785 | S$7,153 / S$10,858 | S$8,256 / S$13,052 | S$9,359 / S$15,247 | S$10,462 / S$17,442 |
| Wholesale Trade | S$5,749 / S$8,511 | S$7,323 / S$12,197 | S$8,448 / S$14,829 | S$9,572 / S$17,462 | S$10,697 / S$20,094 |
| Education | S$5,122 / S$6,714 | S$6,812 / S$9,117 | S$8,019 / S$10,834 | S$9,227 / S$12,550 | S$10,434 / S$14,267 |
| Food and Beverage Services | S$4,241 / S$5,788 | S$4,829 / S$7,524 | S$5,249 / S$8,763 | S$5,669 / S$10,003 | S$6,089 / S$11,243 |
The calculator holds all 22 sectors at every age from 23 to 45, for both releases. In the August 2026 release, which applies to new applications from 1 January 2027, the ICT benchmark for a 30-year-old moves to S$9,226 for 10 points and S$14,204 for 20 points, and most sectors rise by a few hundred dollars. A few fall: the 20-point figure for a 23-year-old in banking drops from S$11,151 to S$10,957.
Renewals Use a Different Cut-Off
Renewals follow the expiry date of the pass, not the date you apply. The August 2025 table covers renewals of EPs expiring from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and the August 2026 table covers EPs expiring from 1 July 2027. Set the calculator to the release that matches the expiry date when you check a renewal.
The EP Qualifying Salary Comes First
COMPASS points only matter once the candidate clears the EP qualifying salary. A candidate on 60 points with a salary under the floor still fails. The floor rises with age, and financial services has its own higher scale.
| Age | General, now | General, from 1 Jan 2027 | Financial services, now | Financial services, from 1 Jan 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | S$5,600 | S$6,000 | S$6,200 | S$6,600 |
| 30 | S$7,223 | S$7,750 | S$7,982 | S$8,541 |
| 35 | S$8,382 | S$9,000 | S$9,255 | S$9,927 |
| 40 | S$9,541 | S$10,250 | S$10,527 | S$11,314 |
| 45 and above | S$10,700 | S$11,500 | S$11,800 | S$12,700 |
The new scale applies to new applications from 1 January 2027 and to renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028. Our EP salary requirement calculator gives the exact figure for every age.
Worked Examples
A Software Engineer, Age 30, Applying in 2026
An ICT firm with 40 PMETs offers S$9,000 a month. The candidate has a degree from a university outside MOM's top-tier list. Her nationality makes up 12% of the firm's PMETs, and the firm's local PMET share is at the 55th percentile for its subsector.
- EP salary: S$7,223 needed at age 30, so she clears it.
- C1: S$9,000 is above the 65th percentile of S$8,971 but below the 90th of S$13,959, so 10 points.
- C2: other degree, 10 points. C3: 12% share, 10 points. C4: 55th percentile, 20 points.
- Total: 50 points. She passes with 10 to spare.
Change one fact and the result flips. If her nationality made up 28% of the firm's PMETs (C3 = 0) and the firm sat at the 30th percentile on C4 (10 points), she would score 30. If the role is on the Shortage Occupation List, C5 adds 20 because 28% is still under one third, and she is back to 50.
A Banker, Age 35, at a Small Firm in 2027
A boutique bank with 12 PMETs offers S$12,000 a month for an application in March 2027. The financial services EP floor at 35 will be S$9,927, so the salary clears it. C1 scores 0, because the 2027 banking benchmark for 10 points at 35 is S$14,227. The candidate holds a degree from a Group A university (20 points), and the small firm gets 10 on C3 and 10 on C4 by default. Total: exactly 40, a pass.
What Is Changing
- 1 January 2027: the EP qualifying salary rises to S$6,000 (S$6,600 in financial services) for new applications, and the August 2026 C1 benchmarks take effect for new applications.
- 1 July 2027: renewals of passes expiring from this date use the August 2026 benchmarks.
- 1 January 2028: renewals of passes expiring from this date need the higher qualifying salary.
- Each year: MOM updates the C1 benchmarks and the C2 institution list.
Plan salaries a year ahead. An offer that scores 10 on C1 in 2026 can drop to 0 in 2027 if the benchmark rises past it.
If the Score Falls Short
The levers are salary (C1), the role's fit with the Shortage Occupation List (C5) and the firm's participation in a C6 programme. C2 is fixed by the candidate's degree, and C3 and C4 move only as the firm's hiring changes. Our guide to the EP COMPASS framework covers each criterion in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions About COMPASS Points
How many COMPASS points do I need for an Employment Pass?
40 points. MOM scores C1 to C4 at 0, 10 or 20 each, and adds up to 20 for C5 and 10 for C6. Passing COMPASS is required but does not guarantee approval, because MOM assesses the whole application.
How is C1 salary scored?
MOM compares the candidate's fixed monthly salary with local PMET salaries in the employer's sector, at the candidate's age. At or above the 90th percentile earns 20 points, the 65th to below 90th percentile earns 10, and below the 65th percentile earns 0.
Who is exempt from COMPASS?
Candidates with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, overseas intra-corporate transferees, and candidates filling a role for one month or less. They still need to meet the other EP requirements.
What if my company has fewer than 25 PMETs?
C3 and C4 each score 10 points by default. The candidate then needs 20 more points from salary, qualifications or the bonus criteria.
How many points does the Shortage Occupation List give?
20 points if the job is on the list and the candidate's nationality makes up less than one third of the firm's PMETs, and 10 points if it is one third or more.
Does COMPASS apply to EP renewals?
Yes. Renewals are scored too, and the C1 benchmark used depends on when the pass expires. EPs expiring from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 use the August 2025 benchmarks.
Is COMPASS the same as a PR points system?
No. COMPASS is MOM's framework for the Employment Pass, a work pass. ICA publishes no points system for permanent residence; see our PR self-check for what ICA does look at.
Where can I check my firm's C3 and C4 position?
Employers can check an application with MOM's COMPASS Self-Assessment Tool. Use it together with this calculator before you submit.
Official Sources and References
- Employment Pass eligibility and COMPASS (MOM)
- COMPASS C1 salary benchmarks (MOM)
- C1 salary benchmarks, Aug 2025 release (MOM PDF)
- C1 salary benchmarks, Aug 2026 release (MOM PDF)
- C2 list of top-tier institutions (MOM PDF)
- C5 Shortage Occupation List (MOM)
Explore Catalyst Immigration’s other services:
- EP COMPASS Framework in Singapore
- Employment Pass Salary Threshold
- EP vs S Pass in Singapore
- Fair Consideration Framework
- Employment Pass and Work Visa Service
Talk to Catalyst Immigration
A COMPASS score near 40 is where most applications get decided by detail: which sector code MOM uses, whether the salary counts as fixed, and how the firm's PMET mix will look on the submission date. Catalyst Immigration prepares Employment Pass applications for Singapore employers and checks the score before you submit. MOM makes the decision; we make sure the application is built on the right numbers.