Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Singapore vs Tokyo

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Singapore
$159,758
/ year
+24%
difference
Tokyo
$129,218
/ year
Bottom line: Singapore wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Singapore
Tokyo
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$159,758โœ“ higher
$129,218
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$103,315โœ“ higher
$83,565
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$247,038โœ“ higher
$199,813
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$99,050โœ“ higher
$87,868
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$114,113โœ“ higher
$95,717
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40ร—
1.35ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$138,442
$12,367,620โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$331,031
$29,572,324โœ“ higher

What if you move from Singapore to Tokyo?

Gross salary change
$30,540
24% decrease
Take-home change
$11,182
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$18,396
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Singapore$159,758
P10: $138,442Median: $159,758P90: $331,031
Tokyo$129,218
P10: $12,367,620Median: $129,218P90: $29,572,324

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Security Engineer earn more in Singapore or Tokyo?

The median Security Engineer salary in Singapore is S$214,076/yr compared to ยฅ19,124,264/yr in Tokyo. Singapore pays 24% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Security Engineer salary worth more in Singapore or Tokyo after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Singapore salary has the purchasing power of $114,113/yr in a median-cost city, vs $95,717/yr for Tokyo. Singapore offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Singapore vs Tokyo?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Singapore takes home approximately $99,050/yr, vs $87,868/yr in Tokyo. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.