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Average Salary in China 2024

How much money does a person working in China make?


Average Monthly Salary
29,400 CNY
( 353,000 CNY yearly)

LOW
7,410
CNY
AVERAGE
29,400
CNY
HIGH
131,000
CNY
All salary figures displayed here are per month except when noted otherwise.
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.

A person working in China typically earns around 29,400 CNY. Salaries range from 7,410 CNY (lowest average) to 131,000 CNY (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).


Salary Variance

This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in China vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.



Pay Scale and Salaries in China

Median and salary distribution China monthly
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Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison

5% of people earn
58,500 CNY or more
10% of people earn
45,800 to 58,500 CNY
20% of people earn
17,800 CNY or less
65% of people earn
17,800 to 45,800 CNY
Minimum Salary
7,410 CNY
Median
26,900 CNY
Maximum
131,000 CNY




Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range

All salary figures displayed here are per month except when noted otherwise.
  • Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary

    Salaries in China range from 7,410 CNY (starting salary) to 131,000 CNY (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.

  • Median Salary

    The median salary is 26,900 CNY, which means that 50% of the population in China earns less than that while the other half earns more. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.

  • Percentiles and Salary Scale

    Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population in China earn less than 19,400 CNY while 75% of them earn more. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population earn less than 40,700 CNY while 25% earn more than that.

  • Pay Scale Structure

    We grouped the most common and recurring salaries into brackets to give more insight into what salary to expect. This method is more accurate than just the average salary and gives more insights into how salaries are actually distributed in China. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 17,800 CNY to 45,800 CNY. Approximately 20% fall under the 17,800 CNY cap. Ten percent of wages are from 45,800 CNY to 58,500 CNY. Only 5% of people grossed 58,500 CNY or more.

Salary Comparison by Years of Experience

How does a person's salary progress over time?

Salary Comparison By Experience Level
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Salary is primarily determined by the level of experience one possesses, with higher levels of experience resulting in higher wages.

In China, employees with two to five years of experience typically earn an average of 32% more than entry-level and junior workers in all industries and fields.

Individuals with more than five years of experience tend to earn an average of 36% more than those with less than five years of experience.

After ten years of work, salaries increase by 21%, with an additional 14% increase for those who have worked for over 15 years.

These figures should be used as rough estimates, as considering individual job titles can lead to more accurate assessments.


Change in salary based on experience varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of many different jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.
On average, a person's salary doubles their starting salary by the time they cross the 10 years* experience mark.
* Based on the average change in salary over time. Salary variations differ from person to person.

Salary Comparison By Education

How does the education level affect your salary?

Salary Comparison By Education
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Change in salary based on education varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of multiple jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.

The correlation between higher education and higher salary is widely acknowledged, but how much of an income increase can one expect from obtaining a degree?

We conducted a study in China comparing the salaries of professionals with different levels of college degrees who held similar positions in various industries.

Our results showed that individuals with a certificate or diploma earned an average of 17% more than those who only completed high school.

Those who obtained a Bachelor's Degree earned 24% more than their counterparts with a certificate or diploma.

Professionals with a Master's Degree earned 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.

Finally, those who held a PhD earned an average of 23% more than those with a Master's Degree while performing the same job.


Is investing in a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Is pursuing higher education worth the investment?

Earning a Master's degree or any post-graduate qualification in China is a substantial financial commitment, with tuition fees ranging from 147,000 CNY to 441,000 CNY and a duration of around two years. It's important to note that during this period, any salary increases are unlikely, assuming ongoing employment. Salary reviews are typically conducted after completing the program and obtaining the degree.

Many individuals pursue advanced education as a means of transitioning to higher-paying positions, and the statistics indicate that this is an effective strategy. On average, individuals who change jobs after earning a higher degree receive a salary increase of about 10% more than the typical annual raise.

Ultimately, deciding whether or not to pursue advanced education depends on a variety of factors, including the personal situation and experience. However, if one can afford the financial costs of obtaining a higher degree, the return on investment is likely to be worthwhile, with the ability to recoup the costs in approximately a year.



Salary and Compensation Comparison By Gender / China

Salary comparison by gender China monthly
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Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In China, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 10% across all career fields.

Male
30,900 CNY
Female-9%
28,100 CNY
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value


Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in China

How much are annual salary increments in China? How often do employees get salary raises?

China

Employees in China are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 9% every 15 months.

Annual Salary Increment Rate China
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The figures provided here are averages of numbers. Those figures should be taken as general guidelines. Salary increments will vary from person to person and depend on many factors, but your performance and contribution to the success of the organization remain the most important factors in determining how much and how often you will be granted a raise.

The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.

How to calculate the salary increment percentage?

The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency

The average salary increase in one year (12 months) in China is 7%.

Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs

World Average Annual Salary Increment
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Salary Packages and Schemes

Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.



Bonus and Incentive Rates in China

How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?Annual Salary Bonus Rate China
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43% of surveyed staff in China reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 57% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.

Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 2% to 7% of their annual salary.

Received Bonus
57%
No Bonus
43%

Types of Bonuses Considered

Individual Performance-Based Bonuses

The most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.

Company Performance Bonuses

Occasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.

Goal-Based Bonuses

Granted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.

Holiday / End of Year Bonuses

These types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.

Bonuses Are Not Commissions!

People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.


Bonus Rates Comparison by Career Field

Finance
High
Architecture
High
Sales
High
Business Development
High
Marketing / Advertising
High
Information Technology
Moderate
Healthcare
Moderate
Insurance
Moderate
Customer Service
Moderate
Human Resources
Moderate
Construction
Low
Transport
Low
Hospitality
Low

What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?

The main two types of jobs

Revenue GeneratorsSupporting Cast

Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business.

Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations.

Example:
A graphics designer working for a graphics designing company.

Example:
A graphic designer in the marketing department of a hospital.


Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.

Try to work for companies where your skills can generate revenue. We can't all generate revenue and that's perfectly fine.

Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level

Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.

Salaries for popular jobs. Salaries by occupations.

Job TitleAverage Salary
Accounting and Finance
Accountant19,400 CNY
Accounting Assistant15,900 CNY
Accounting Manager43,600 CNY
Bookkeeper14,200 CNY
Chartered Accountant26,500 CNY
Corporate Treasurer40,500 CNY
Financial Analyst38,100 CNY
Financial Manager55,500 CNY
Internal Auditor26,400 CNY

Administration / Reception / Secretarial
Administrative Assistant15,700 CNY
Office Manager25,300 CNY
Receptionist14,400 CNY
Secretary12,800 CNY

Advertising / Graphic Design / Events
Art Director28,900 CNY
Creative Director29,100 CNY
Graphic Designer18,900 CNY
Photographer16,500 CNY

Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense
Aerospace Engineer36,500 CNY
Air Traffic Controller32,700 CNY
Flight Attendant19,200 CNY
Pilot48,900 CNY

Architecture
Architect36,300 CNY
CAD Drafter15,100 CNY

Automotive
Mechanic11,500 CNY
Service Advisor20,900 CNY

Banking
Bank Branch Manager53,600 CNY
Teller10,900 CNY

Bilingual
Teacher21,400 CNY
Translator26,500 CNY

Business Planning
Business Analyst36,900 CNY
Business Development Manager46,300 CNY
Project Manager37,600 CNY

Care Giving and Child Care
Nanny11,700 CNY
Nursery Teacher11,400 CNY

Construction / Building / Installation
Civil Engineer27,100 CNY
Construction Project Manager46,600 CNY
Health and Safety Officer13,300 CNY

Customer Service and Call Center
Call Center Representative10,700 CNY
Customer Service Manager38,400 CNY
Customer Service Representative11,200 CNY

Engineering
Civil Engineer27,100 CNY
Electrical Engineer29,800 CNY
Engineer28,300 CNY
Mechanical Engineer27,500 CNY

Executive and Management
Chief Executive Officer68,800 CNY
Chief Financial Officer61,400 CNY
General Manager49,800 CNY
Project Manager32,700 CNY

Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering
Chef18,400 CNY
Executive Chef21,000 CNY
Hotel Manager51,000 CNY
Receptionist10,500 CNY
Travel Agent17,600 CNY
Waiter / Waitress9,190 CNY

Health and Medical
Dentist69,800 CNY
Dietitian59,400 CNY
Laboratory Technician21,800 CNY
Nurse23,000 CNY

Human Resources
Human Resources Manager43,600 CNY
Human Resources Officer17,000 CNY

Information Technology
Computer Technician22,400 CNY
Database Administrator29,500 CNY
Developer / Programmer28,600 CNY
Information Technology Manager48,300 CNY
Network Engineer26,000 CNY

Law Enforcement / Security / Fire
Police Officer18,000 CNY

Legal
Attorney58,300 CNY
Legal Assistant14,800 CNY

Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment
Journalist33,100 CNY

Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology
Biomedical Engineer23,800 CNY
Pharmacist38,800 CNY

Sales Retail and Wholesale
Cashier10,800 CNY
Sales Manager50,700 CNY
Sales Representative18,100 CNY

Teaching / Education
Elementary School Teacher19,700 CNY
Secondary School Teacher24,800 CNY

Average Hourly Wage in China


170 CNY per hour

The average hourly wage (pay per hour) for all employees in China is 170 CNY.This is the rate that the average individual gets paid for every worked hour.


Hourly Wage = Annual Salary / ( 52 x 5 x 8 )

About The Hourly Pay Rate

The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.

What is the minimum hourly rate of pay?

The minimum pay rate per hour for a person in China is 43 CNY. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.

Salary Comparison By City

CityAverage Salary
Beijing33,700 CNY
Changchun28,100 CNY
Changsha26,700 CNY
Chengdu30,800 CNY
Chongqing34,100 CNY
Dalian27,800 CNY
Dongguan26,500 CNY
Foshan26,200 CNY
Fuzhou28,000 CNY
Guangzhou32,500 CNY
Hangzhou32,700 CNY
Harbin31,300 CNY
Jinan32,700 CNY
Kunming26,500 CNY
Nanjing29,400 CNY
Qingdao30,300 CNY
Quanzhou27,600 CNY
Shanghai31,800 CNY
Shantou28,700 CNY
Shenyang30,400 CNY
Shenzhen29,100 CNY
Suzhou28,300 CNY
Tianjin30,900 CNY
Wenzhou29,000 CNY
Wuhan33,700 CNY
Wuxi25,200 CNY
Xi an32,200 CNY
Xiamen27,000 CNY
Zhengzhou26,100 CNY

Salary Comparison By State

StateAverage Salary
Anhui30,400 CNY
Beijing25,100 CNY
Chongqing26,800 CNY
Fujian28,500 CNY
Gansu26,300 CNY
Guangdong32,500 CNY
Guangxi29,700 CNY
Guizhou27,200 CNY
Hainan24,700 CNY
Hebei31,200 CNY
Heilongjiang27,900 CNY
Henan32,200 CNY
Hubei30,500 CNY
Hunan31,100 CNY
Jiangsu31,700 CNY
Jiangxi29,400 CNY
Jilin26,900 CNY
Liaoning29,200 CNY
Nei Monggol26,400 CNY
Ningxia24,700 CNY
Qinghai24,400 CNY
Shaanxi28,500 CNY
Shandong32,800 CNY
Shanghai26,200 CNY
Shanxi28,000 CNY
Sichuan32,300 CNY
Tianjin25,400 CNY
Xinjiang Uygur26,000 CNY
Xizang [Tibet]24,300 CNY
Yunnan30,100 CNY
Zhejiang30,800 CNY

Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison

Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in China is 6% on average across all career fields.

Private Sector
28,600 CNY
Public Sector+6%
30,300 CNY
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value

Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide

What is considered to be a good and competitive salary in China?

It is extremely difficult to give an exact figure of a good salary when no specific job is selected, however; an estimate can be provided based purely on the cost of living. A good compensation in China would range anywhere between 26,900 CNY and 40,700 CNY.

Gross Salary (before tax) and Net Salary (after tax)

All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.

Base / Basic Salary

The base salary in China ranges from 7,410 CNY to 19,400 CNY. The base salary depends on many factors including profession, experience, and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.


What is the difference between the median and the average salary?

Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary


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