What Does C1 Salary Assess?
C1 is an individual criterion in COMPASS Stage 2. It compares the candidate’s fixed monthly salary with local PMET salary benchmarks for the relevant sector and age. PMET means professionals, managers, executives and technicians. A job title or one universal salary amount does not establish the score.
How Does C1 Award 20, 10 or 0 Points?
| Fixed monthly salary relative to local PMET benchmarks for sector and age | C1 points |
|---|---|
| 90th percentile and above | 20 |
| 65th to less than 90th percentile | 10 |
| Below 65th percentile | 0 |
Percentile means relative position against sector salaries, not salary growth.
Meet EP Salary Eligibility Before Assessing C1
The EP qualifying salary is a Stage 1 eligibility requirement; C1 is Stage 2 scoring. Failing Stage 1 makes the candidate ineligible even with a high projected C1 score. Meeting the Stage 1 minimum does not automatically earn 10 or 20 C1 points. The separate EP salary article covers the 2027 changes and age tables.
How Should the Percentile Boundaries Be Read?
Exactly the 65th percentile belongs to the 10-point band; exactly the 90th belongs to the 20-point band. An illustrative 70th-percentile result earns 10 C1 points, not 70 points. Apply the appropriate sector and age benchmarks rather than treating a Stage 1 amount such as S$6,000 as the 65th or 90th percentile.
Employer Checks Before Applying
Check sector classification, candidate age, fixed monthly salary and its components, then assess through MOM’s SAT. Keep employment terms, salary records and declarations consistent. A zero for C1 does not necessarily prevent a COMPASS pass, but Stage 1 salary and other application requirements still apply.
Official Eligibility and Requirements
Related Work Pass Articles
Published by: Hengxin Group Corporate Services