Engineers are definitely underpaid in Sg. After so many years in the manufacturing industry, i can say that getting liked by higher management is very important (not just your direct boss). I have seen people getting promoted immediately just after a year. You really needa know where to shine and outshine others. Else, being just a normal performing engineer....you will still not hit anywhere near 7k by your 40s. And thats normal. Tell your kids, dont study engineering.