Professionals will be in high demand in the chemicals, pharmaceuticals and medical device industries this year, according to the latest Robert Walters Global Salary Survey.

The high demand and competition for talent is likely to translate to pay rises of 1 to 15 per cent for engineering professionals changing jobs.

Also in high demand in Singapore this year are experienced lawyers in niche areas such as arbitration and shipping, as well as sales and marketing professionals in technical healthcare and information technology.

Meanwhile, salaries in banking are likely to be flat as banks "remain under immense cost pressures", though private bankers will be in demand.

The annual survey by the specialist professional recruitment consultancy was released on Wednesday.