SDL Calculator Singapore (2026)
Calculate your monthly Skills Development Levy by headcount and wage level. Free, instant, and based on the official CPF Board formula.
What is the Skills Development Levy (SDL)?
The Skills Development Levy is a compulsory levy paid by every Singapore employer for each employee, on top of CPF. It funds workforce training programmes administered by SkillsFuture Singapore. The rate is 0.25% of monthly wages, with a $2 floor and $11.25 cap per employee. SDL applies to all workers — local and foreign, full-time and part-time — and is paid by the employer only.
Employee Details
infoGross monthly wages including overtime & allowances (before CPF)
groupsIncludes part-time, temp, and foreign workers
Common wage levels
Result updates as you type
Total monthly SDL
$100.00
10 employees · $10.00/employee · 0.25% rate
Per Employee
$10.00
monthly
Annual Total
$1,200
12 months
0.25% of monthly wages
0.25% × $4,000 = $10.00 per employee per month.
SDL bands
Based on official cpf.gov.sg SDL formula. Pay SDL via your CPF e-Submission within 14 days after the end of each calendar month. Late payment incurs a 10% per annum penalty. Verify with CPF Board.
Quick Reference
- • Rate: 0.25% of monthly total wages per employee
- • Minimum: $2 per employee (applies when wages < $800)
- • Maximum: $11.25 per employee (applies when wages > $4,500)
- • Wage cap: $4,500/month per employee for SDL purposes
- • Applies to ALL employees: full-time, part-time, casual, temporary, foreign workers
- • Paid by employer only — NOT deducted from employee wages
- • Due within 14 days after end of each calendar month
- • Late payment penalty: 10% per annum on outstanding amount
- • Pay via CPF e-Submission together with monthly CPF contributions
How SDL is Calculated
The Skills Development Levy is one of the simplest payroll calculations in Singapore. For each employee, take 0.25% of their monthly total wages, then apply two boundary rules: a $2 minimum if wages are below $800, and an $11.25 maximum if wages are above $4,500.
Worked example 1 — part-timer at $600/month: 0.25% of $600 = $1.50, but the $2 minimum applies. SDL = $2 per month for that employee.
Worked example 2 — mid-level at $3,200/month: 0.25% of $3,200 = $8. SDL = $8 per month. Within the rate band, no floor or cap applies.
Worked example 3 — senior at $8,000/month: 0.25% of $8,000 = $20, but the $11.25 cap applies. SDL = $11.25 per month. The cap is independent of how high wages go.
SME with 10 employees: if all earn $4,000/month, total monthly SDL = 10 × $10 = $100/month, or $1,200/year. Many SMEs use this baseline contribution to qualify for the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC), which can reimburse up to $10,000 of training-related expenses.
What SDL Funds
SDL flows into the Skills Development Fund, managed by SkillsFuture Singapore.
Funds workforce training, certifications, and SME upskilling
Who Counts as an Employee
Full-time, part-time, casual, temporary — plus all foreign workers.
If they earn wages from you, they attract SDL
Payment Deadline
14 days after the end of each calendar month.
Late payment: 10% per annum penalty on outstanding
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SDL rate in Singapore for 2026?expand_more
The Skills Development Levy is 0.25% of an employee’s monthly total wages, with a minimum of $2 (for wages under $800) and a maximum of $11.25 (for wages above $4,500). The rate has been stable at 0.25% since 2008. SDL is paid by the employer only — it is NOT deducted from the employee’s salary.
Is SDL based on gross salary or net pay?expand_more
SDL is based on gross monthly remuneration — this includes basic salary, overtime pay, commissions, allowances, and bonuses. It does not include reimbursements (e.g., transport claims) or employer CPF contributions. The wage cap for SDL purposes is $4,500 per employee per month.
Do I need to pay SDL for foreign workers in Singapore?expand_more
Yes. SDL applies to ALL employees regardless of citizenship or work pass type — including S Pass holders, Work Permit holders, Employment Pass holders, and even foreign domestic workers if they earn wages from your company. SDL applies to full-time, part-time, casual, and temporary employees alike.
When is SDL due each month?expand_more
SDL must be paid within 14 days after the end of each calendar month — e.g., January’s SDL is due by 14 February. Most employers pay SDL together with their monthly CPF contributions through the CPF e-Submission system. Late payment attracts a 10% per annum penalty on the outstanding amount.
How is SDL different from CPF?expand_more
CPF is a savings scheme — contributions are split between employer and employee and credited to the employee’s CPF accounts. SDL is a levy — paid only by the employer, with funds going to the Skills Development Fund managed by SkillsFuture Singapore to subsidise workforce training. CPF is on wages up to $8,000/month (2026 OW ceiling); SDL is on wages up to $4,500/month.
Can I claim back SDL through SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit?expand_more
Eligible SMEs can apply for the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC), which provides a $10,000 credit to defray up to 90% of out-of-pocket costs for business transformation, job redesign, and skills training. Eligibility is based on minimum SDL contributions over a qualifying period. Check eligibility at skillsfuture.gov.sg/sfec.
What happens if I do not pay SDL on time?expand_more
Employers who fail to pay SDL on time are charged a 10% per annum penalty on the outstanding amount. Persistent non-payment may lead to legal action under the Skills Development Levy Act. The CPF Board enforces SDL collection on behalf of SkillsFuture Singapore.
Sources
- • CPF Board (cpf.gov.sg) — Skills Development Levy rate, calculation, and employer obligations
- • SkillsFuture Singapore (skillsfuture.gov.sg) — Skills Development Fund administration, SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit eligibility
- • Skills Development Levy Act — statutory authority for SDL imposition and enforcement