MINIMUM AND AVERAGE SALARY IN CHINA

Today, the level of salaries in China is comparable to some EU member states and significantly exceeds the indicators of most Asian countries. The Chinese economy is one of the most powerful in the world, the local government promotes the attraction of foreign investment, trade relations are actively growing and modern technologies are being introduced. All this has a positive impact on the incomes of the local population and increases the welfare of the country as a whole.

Many Chinese companies need skilled labor from abroad, so work in China is currently in high demand. Major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai are especially popular with migrant workers. Despite a certain slowdown in the economic growth of the state, according to experts, the remuneration of Chinese workers in the coming years will only increase. Next, let's find out what is the minimum and average salary in China in 2024.

Minimum salary in China

China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) has given regions a fair amount of independence in setting official minimum wage rates. Local authorities take into account many indicators, including economic growth, average wages, living standards, unemployment, food prices and real estate prices. A detailed analysis is carried out and then a decision is made as to whether the minimum wage should be raised.

Depending on the region, China's official minimum wage in 2024 ranges from 1,450 to 2,690 yuan per month, equivalent to 200 to 370 U.S. dollars. By law, regional and city governments must revise minimum wage rates at least once every two years. In 2024, the highest minimum wage is earned in Shanghai (2,690 yuan) and the lowest in Heilongjiang Province (1,450 yuan).

According to official data from China's National Bureau of Statistics and ITRSO, 19 regions increased their minimum wages in 2014, 27 in 2015, 9 in 2016, 20 in 2017, 15 in 2018, 7 in 2019, 3 in 2020, 2021 20, 7 in 2022, 14 in 2023, and 7 in 2024.

Henan, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces raised their minimum wages from January 1, 2024, Hubei and Ningxia from February 1 and March 1 respectively, Jiangxi and Liaoning from May 1. Eight regions – Shanghai, Guangdong, Beijing, Tianjin, Jiangsu, Shandong, Hubei and Zhejiang – have surpassed the 2,000 yuan ($275) mark in their monthly minimum wage standards.

Important. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, most regions in China have postponed their plans to adjust their minimum wages. Only three provinces – Fujian, Qinghai and Guangxi – have raised their minimum wages.

CHINA'S MINIMUM WAGE BY PROVINCE/CITY

Province/city	Yuan per month	Dollars per month
Shanghai	2,690	370
Beijing	2,420	335
Jiangsu	2,010-2,490	275-340
Zhejiang	2,010-2,490	275-340
Guangdong	1,620-2,360	225-325
Tianjin	2,320	320
Hubei	1,800-2,210	250-305
Hebei	1,800-2,200	250-305
Shandong	1,820-2,200	250-305
Shaanxi	1,950-2,160	270-295
Chongqing	2,000-2,100	275-290
Sichuan	1,870-2,100	255-290
Henan	1,800-2,100	250-290
Liaoning	1,700-2,100	235-290
Anhui	1,780-2,060	245-285
Ningxia-Hui AR	1,900-2,050	260-280
Fujian	1,660-2,030	230-280
Hainan	1,850-2,010	245-275
Jiangxi	1,740-2,000	240-275
Yunnan	1,600-1,900	235-275
Guangxi	1,690-1,990	230-275
Inner Mongolia	1,850-1,980	255-270
Shanxi	1,780-1,980	245-270
Hunan	1,550-1,930	215-265
Xinjiang Uygur AR	1,540-1,900	210-260
Guizhou	1,660-1,890	230-260
Qinghai	1,880	260
Jilin	1,540-1,880	210-260
Heilongjiang	1,450-1,860	200-255
Tibetan AP	1,850	255
Gansu	1,670-1,820	230-250
Guilin	1,780	245

Note. Depending on the grade (A, B,C,D) in some provinces in China, the minimum wage rates may be adjusted.

Average salary in China

According to official data from China's National Bureau of Statistics and MHRSS, the average salary in China in 2024 (in urban areas) is 120,698 yuan per year $16,600) or 10,060 yuan per month ($1,385). The eastern region has the highest annual salary and growth rate at 124,019 yuan (10.4%). The city with the highest monthly salary is Shanghai, where experienced professionals earn 13,486 yuan ($1,855) on average. Beijing earns 13,438 yuan ($1,850) and Shenzhen 12,774 yuan ($1,755).

TOP 10 CITIES IN CHINA WITH THE HIGHEST WAGES

City	Yuan per month	Dollars per month
Shanghai	13,486	1,855
Beijing	13,438	1,850
Shenzhen	12,774	1,755
Hangzhou	11,796	1,620
Nanjing	11,061	1,520
Suzhou	10,933	1,505
Guangzhou	10,883	1,495
Ningbo	10,704	1,470
Zhuhai	10,425	1,435
Xiamen	10,403	1,430

Over the past few years, wages in China have been rising faster than in the vast majority of countries in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and the world at large. In the last year alone, the incomes of local workers have increased by 9.7%. The highest average salary in China is recorded in the field of information transmission, software and information technology services (220,418 yuan per year), and the lowest earnings are in accommodation and food (53,995 yuan per year).

To give you an example, the average salary in Bulgaria is $1,180 per month, meaning the Chinese already have a higher income level. In addition, according to ZW HR Consulting, a large recruiting company from China, foreign specialists with work experience, in-demand skills, English and Chinese language skills can expect a salary that is at least 15-25% higher than the national average.

AVERAGE SALARY IN CHINA BY INDUSTRY*

Industry	Yuan per year	Dollars per year
Information Technology	220,418	30,455
Scientific research and technical services	151,776	22,100
Financial activities	150,843	21,965
Health care and social work	126,828	18,465
Supply of electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning	125,332	18,250
Culture, sports and entertainment	117,329	17,085
Education	111,392	16,220
Transportation, logistics and storage	109,851	15,995
Mining and quarrying	108,467	15,795
Wholesale and retail trade	107,735	15,685
Leasing and business services	102,537	14,930
Manufacturing	92,459	13,460
Construction	75,762	11,030
Water, sewerage and waste management	65,802	9,580
Fishing, agriculture and forestry	53,819	7,835
Accommodation and food	53,995	7,460

Note. *Average wages in China by industry are based on official data from the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics and MHRSS.

Average salary in China by age group

Age range	Yuan per month	Dollars per month
20-29	10,000	1,375
30-39	15,000	2,060
40-49	20,000	2,750
50-59	18,000	2,475
60+	12,000	1,650

In terms of individual occupations, the highest salaries in China are for chip engineers, who earn an average of 26,000 yuan per month ($3,575). Company executives and senior managers earn about 22,739 yuan ($3,125) per month.

HIGHEST PAID OCCUPATIONS IN CHINA

Occupation	Yuan per month	Dollars per month
Chip engineers	26,000	3,575
Senior managers	22,739	3,125
Artificial intelligence engineers	21,701	2,985
Investment/finance managers	16,899	2,325
Software Developers	16,891	2,325
Communications and hardware developers	16,507	2,270
Mobile communications research and development specialists	15,646	2,150
Automotive electronics engineers	15,437	2,125
Securities brokers	14,498	1,995
Data processing engineers	14,318	1,970

INCOME TAX IN CHINA IN 2024

Annual taxable income (CNY)		Quick deduction (CNY)	Tax rate (%)
0	36,000	–	3%
36,000	144,000	2,520	10%
144,000	300,000	16,920	20%
300,000	420,000	31,920	25%
420,000	660,000	52,920	30%
660,000	960,000	85,920	35%
More than 960,000		181,920	45%

Cost of living in China

Despite a marked increase in local incomes in recent years, the cost of living in China remains quite reasonable. Most cities have affordable prices for both housing, food, clothing and public transport.

Basic expenses in China (large city):

• Rent: $500-600 per month for a one-bedroom flat in the centre.

• Utility bills: $50-60 per month.

• Food: $150-200 per month per person.

• Transport: $30-40 per month by public transport or 100-200 euros per month by car.

• Internet/mobile phone: $25-30 per month.

• Clothing and leisure activities: $200-300 per month.

In conclusion, the areas with the fastest growing salaries in China are tourism, sports/fitness, business consulting, banking/financial services, and catering and catering.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in China:

1. What is the average salary in China?

• Before taxes, the average salary in China in 2024 is 10,060 yuan per month ($1,385).

2. What is the minimum wage in China?

• Depending on the region, the official minimum wage in China in 2024 ranges from 1,450 to 2,690 yuan per month ($200 to $370).

3. Which jobs earn the highest income in China?

• The highest paying jobs in China are chip engineers, senior managers in large companies and artificial intelligence engineers.

4. What is the lowest paying job in China?

• The lowest income in Austria is received by representatives of unskilled labour – cleaners, waiters, cooks' assistants, loaders, salesmen, maids and so on.

5. What is the average salary of programmers in China?

• The average income of programmers in China is estimated at $25,000-30,000 per year.

6. What is the payroll tax in China?

• The income tax rate in China depends on annual income and ranges from 3% (income up to 36,000 yuan) to 45% (income over 960,000 yuan).

7. What is the average salary in Beijing?

• The average salary in Beijing in 2024 is about $1,850 per month.

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