Yes, it's very common in mnc's, plus they have better benefits too..

My junior got both offers from intel and accenture. Intel is giving 3.4k for fresh graduates with 1st class BEng, extra 200-300 for MSc graduates(1st class)
Accenture is also giving 3.5k for 1st class fresh graduates in engineering. I heard altera is offerring the same amount as intel, if not higher.

Another junior of mine joined O&G vendor in sg, basic + housing allowance + transport allowance = >$3k

My ex-supervisor work for 6 years in semiconductor manufacturing, and his salary is about 7k SGD. He started at 3k as junior engineer, fresh out from uni. At that time he also got an offer from KLA Tencor, offering him 4k something.. Anyway semiconductor manufacturing is a very demanding job, and I personally find that the money is not enough to compensate the effort we put in the work, thus I quitted.

Lol, must be WD.

Actually don't have to perform very good also. Slightly above average will do, because the turnover rate is very high, not much people stick around. So whoever stays behind are easily recognized by upper management.

The good years of semiconductor are over, back then the bonuses were great, like every 3 months. Company annual dinner first prize was BMW cars, invited LeeHom to sing in D&D also..

There are rumors that semiconductor industry will have a big comeback in a few more years but I doubt it would be THAT great. The key of manufacturing is profit and profit only. For that sole reason people are moving to low cost country and low cost labour and massive production.. Workload will increase exponentially but the pay wouldn't.. Oh well, I'm glad I went out.. I was at progressing at almost 4k if I have stayed for 2 years(senior engineer).

Btw, my supervisor is only in junior management in technical section. Management or high technical easily fetch 8k and above. For expats, up to 20k after crazy allowances.

For oil and gas, fresh grad is already fetching 3.5 to 4k..

Working environment is different mate. Do you wanna sit in office with close to none working place hazard, or you want to work under hot sun in the middle of the sea where tones of highly flammable gas/oil underneath your foot? Of course the money is good considering the risk involves..