Blog > Careers & Salary > Prompt Engineer Job: Salary and Insights
Prompt Engineer Job: Salary and Insights
Overview
With a respectable salary ranging between S$5,000 to S$9,000 per month, prompt engineers have a financially rewarding career. As AI integration into our modern work lives accelerates, they are more sought after in Singapore than ever. Prompt engineers use their knowledge of AI models to design and refine effective inputs, or prompts, which guide AI models into producing optimal outcomes. They play a big role in enhancing the performance of large language models (LLMs) and generative AI systems, such as ChatGPT and Bard.
Positioned as a cornerstone of the nation’s digital economy strategy since 2019, AI tools are now widely used outside of the tech sector. As healthcare workers use GenAI to offload administrative tasks in Singapore’s National University Health System, young lawyers are also picking up AI skills to strengthen their advocacy and drafting skills. With the government and private sector players doubling down on AI, prompt engineers are set to become key players in Singapore’s AI landscape.
What Does a Prompt Engineer Do?
Prompt engineers use their understanding of AI model capabilities to optimise inputs for accurate, relevant and high-quality outputs. Prompts are rigorously tested and refined, and AI responses are analysed to identify areas for improvement. This continuous feedback loop is crucial for maximising the effectiveness and reliability of an AI model. Prompt engineers work closely together with data scientists and AI developers to seamlessly integrate prompts into various applications and systems. Their collaboration ensures prompts are robust, scalable, and aligned with the broader architectural and functional goals of AI-powered solutions.
Proficiency in natural language processing (NLP) enables prompt engineers to effectively “communicate” with AI models by understanding how they process language, while their grasp of AI model architectures and behaviours allows them to anticipate how specific prompts will influence outputs. Coupled with creative problem-solving, these skills empower prompt engineers to devise innovative and effective prompt strategies to elicit desired AI responses and overcome complex challenges.
As demand for AI tools and products grows, so does the demand for what prompt engineers can bring to the table. Industries ranging from technology and software development, education and research institutions, healthcare and life sciences, to the government and public sector, all have use for the unique capabilities of prompt engineers. After all, GovTech wouldn’t have been able to come up with their CO-STAR Framework, a method for crafting effective inputs, without the help of prompt engineers.
Prompt Engineer Salary Range
Prompt engineers in Singapore are remunerated quite handsomely for their in-depth AI knowledge and skills. According to Indeed SG, prompt engineers have an average annual salary of S$65,913. Data from Salary Expert suggests that this figure could be even higher, at S$97,817 a year.
Below is a table showing the typical monthly salary ranges for prompt engineers in Singapore, grouped by years of experience possessed. These figures serve as a general guide to the average pay scale prompt engineers can expect throughout their career, beginning from when they land their first job.
| Years of Experience | Average Monthly Salary (SGD) |
| Entry-Level (0–3 years) | S$5,685 |
| Mid-Level (4–7 years) | S$9,475 |
| Senior (8+ years) | S$17,055 |
*Do note that these figures at the end of the scale are more projections than reality at the moment, as the prompt engineering field is still nascent.
How does the average salary of a prompt engineer compare to similar, AI-powered roles? According to Jobicy, an AI engineer can expect an average annual salary of S$175,569 compared to an average annual salary of S$145,497 for prompt engineers. This is significantly more than the average annual salary of machine learning specialists, which is S$139,483 per year. On the other hand, a compliance officer switching over to an AI ethics officer role can expect to earn about S$163,540 annually.
Factors Influencing Prompt Engineer Salaries In Singapore
There are several factors that have an impact on a prompt engineer‘s salary. Understanding them will help you chart a path to take your professional growth and development to new heights.
- Experience Level: Since AI is a relatively young field, it’s unsurprising that even the most seasoned prompt engineers only have 2-4 years of experience. As with other career paths, professionals with more years in the field typically command higher salaries due to accumulated expertise. However, having transferable skills useful for working with AI models, such as the ability to work with structured and unstructured data, may be seen favourably by employers.
- Education and Certifications: Specialised certifications in AI and NLP can enhance earning potential. This is especially true if they demonstrate that the candidate has a solid understanding of prompt engineering principles and techniques, such as chain of thought and in-context learning. Proficiency in Python programming is also a plus, particularly if the candidate is skilled at utilising AI/machine learning frameworks like PyTorch, Keras and TensorFlow.
- Industry Demand: According to data from Glassdoor, the highest salaries for prompt engineers belong to those working with e-commerce giants or the defence and technology sector. Rising demand across all the board for AI professionals, especially in the technology and healthcare industry, may drive prompt engineer salaries up even further.
- Company Size and Location: Larger companies, such as multinational corporations headquartered in the central business district, may offer higher compensation packages. Start-ups and smaller outfits may offer candidates a smaller salary package but may also be more open to hiring first jobbers.
Career Progression and Salary Growth for Prompt Engineers in Singapore
Advancement opportunities for prompt engineers are rife, as they will be able to easily pivot to related roles in the booming AI industry. This may include roles such as AI research scientist, NLP specialist, or AI product manager. As junior prompt engineers gain experience and seniority, they will also likely be given opportunities to lead AI strategy and development teams, which they can use to advance their careers further.
As for the long-term salary outlook for prompt engineers, the future appears to only be getting brighter. As the Singapore government rolls out more support for firms to tap AI solutions to the tune of more than S$1B, more AI professionals will be needed to optimise and fine-tune GenAI and LLMs. Prospects for prompt engineers outside of Singapore also look encouraging. Data from global advisory and research firm, McKinsey, shows a meteoric rise in AI and GenAI deployment across businesses. Organisations that use AI have risen from 20% in 2017 to 72% in 2024. For GenAI, this figure has grown from 33% in 2023 to 71% in 2024.
Why Train with Heicoders Academy for a Prompt Engineering Career
Heicoders Academy is the premier institute for mastering effective prompt engineering. Our Generative AI Course for Automation and Productivity (GA100) is well-suited for both mid-career professionals transitioning into AI-related roles and tech undergrads eager to build strong foundational knowledge in AI models. Taught by passionate industry veterans, our instructors will equip students with practical AI skills while providing them with valuable real-world insights.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to deploy advanced prompt engineering techniques for high-quality outputs, construct retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines and execute an evaluation of model performance using key benchmarks. They will also be taught how to identify and manage AI biases, security risks and failure modes which produce undesirable outcomes. Students determined to take their learning one step further can apply for our Python programming or applied machine learning course.
Frequently Asked Questions about Prompt Engineering
Is a computer science degree necessary for a career in prompt engineering?
Not necessarily. Although a computer science degree may give you a working knowledge of algorithms and data structures, being able to demonstrate that you have the necessary experience and knowledge required to work with AI models is ultimately more important for a successful prompt engineering career.
What are the typical working hours and work-life balance for prompt engineers?
Like any other profession, your work-life balance and working hours will hinge on your organisation’s business culture. Look up employee reviews on your preferred job site for insights into what working life is like at the organisation before signing any employment contracts.
How can one start building a portfolio as a prompt engineer?
Ideally, your portfolio should cover case studies where you’ve applied prompting techniques, including any iterative improvements you have made. It should also highlight AI tools you are proficient in, whether it’s GPT, Hugging Face, Azure AI or Gemini. It’s important to tailor your portfolio for specific industries, to truly engage your target audience.
Are there freelance or remote opportunities available in this field?
Yes, there are freelance and remote opportunities available for prompt engineers. Unlike system administrators and network engineers, prompt engineers do not work directly with hardware and are able to perform their role remotely. While some prompt engineers work a 9-to-6 job, there are also those who service multiple clients on a freelance basis.
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