MANILA, PHILIPPINES — A new study from online shopping aggregator iPrice shows that even the highest-paid entry-level workers in the Philippines’ digital field struggle for financial independence.
The study curated the highest-paid entry-level digital jobs best suited for the Gen Z youngsters. In line with that, it also revealed the average cost of rent in Metro Manila’s main central business districts and the cost of essential appliances/furniture each person must start off with. The results weren’t promising.
According to the study, “Digital-related jobs are a good option for the new generation of fresh grads. Only the Gen Z is exposed to today’s technology at a very early age, and companies nowadays have a lot of opportunities for new positions that didn’t even exist a decade or so ago.”
It also assessed which jobs were making the most money: “According to data from Payscale, Junior Project Managers in the Philippines earn an average monthly salary of PHP 30,800/month while Junior UI/UX Designers can earn PHP 30,300. These positions are followed by Junior Software Engineers (PHP 25,300), Junior Front-End Developers (PHP 24,300), and Junior Software Developers (PHP 23,400). Positions that don’t earn as much but still have an average monthly salary above PHP 20,000 are Junior Community Managers (aka Social Media Managers), Junior Data Analysts, and Junior Digital Marketing Specialists. Meanwhile, Junior IT Technicians and Junior Graphic Designers earn the least, with an average of only PHP 15,000/month each.
The study also points out that all of these wages are still above the country’s monthly minimum wage. However, data obtained regarding the average month’s rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central business district, showed that many of these jobs still could not afford the average monthly rent of PHP 32,500.
“This is a bleak revelation for the Filipino entry-levels, especially since we’re already talking about the highest-paid jobs that are best suited for them. This is perhaps partly why many Filipinos don’t leave their parents’ homes until they get married. Those that do may resort to sharing an apartment or renting bedspaces.”
iPrice Group is Southeast Asia’s leading online shopping companion. With a mission to bring a greater level of transparency, convenience, and trust to the e-commerce market across Southeast Asia in order to help people save money, the company today operates in seven countries across Southeast Asia namely Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.
Read the full study by iPrice here.
