Wages in China increased to 120698 CNY/Year in 2023 from 114029 CNY/Year in 2022. This dataset provides - China Average Yearly Wages - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

This statistic shows the average annual salary of employees in non-private enterprises and organizations in urban China in 2023, by region. In 2023, an employee in the urban regions of the Chinese Jiangsu province earned around 125,100 yuan per annum on average. The national average reached about 120,700 yuan that year. Aside from regional discrepancies, the respective industry had a large influence on the average annual salary of employees in urban China. Employees in the IT sector of China earned about 231,800 yuan on average, whereas people employed in the hotel and catering sector had an average annual salary of about 58,100 yuan in 2023.

Wages in Manufacturing in China increased to 103932 CNY/Year in 2023 from 97528 CNY/Year in 2022. This dataset provides - China Average Yearly Wages in Manufacturing - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

China is the largest labor force market in the world. China’s economic prosperity wouldn’t exist without the large number of people working in this country. With increasing living standards and growing inflation, the wages of employees in China are increasing as well. As of 2022, average wages in China increased to114,029 yuan from 47,593 yuan in 2012.

Wage gap between regions

The wages vary in China depending on sector, position, gender and region like in any other country. Since China’s different regions have developed unequally, the wage gaps between people working in different regions can also be very large. This is a reason for no single minimum wage being set for the entire nation. The local governments set minimum wages based on local living standards. Considering the city tier, the wage standards are higher in cities with higher rankings. Shanghai and Beijing have the highest minimum wage standards in China. Although the minimum wages in China have been increasing, the standards are still lower than in developed countries.

Challenges of increasing labor costs

Increasing wages also make the labor force market less attractive. Affected by increasing labor costs and the China-United States trade war, many companies are transferring their investment destinations, especially in the manufacturing sector. Local governments are also taking measures to ensure the living costs remain at a reasonable level to retain companies and employees. These measures include regulating the residential housing market more strictly.

China Average Wage: SOU: Manufacturing data was reported at 109,987.000 RMB in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 118,127.000 RMB for 2022. China Average Wage: SOU: Manufacturing data is updated yearly, averaging 9,072.000 RMB from Dec 1978 (Median) to 2023, with 46 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 118,127.000 RMB in 2022 and a record low of 663.000 RMB in 1978. China Average Wage: SOU: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GC: Average Wage: by Industry: Urban State Owned Unit.

China Average Wage: Urban Non-private: Year to Date: State Owned Unit data was reported at 127,672.000 RMB in Dec 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 123,623.000 RMB for Dec 2022. China Average Wage: Urban Non-private: Year to Date: State Owned Unit data is updated quarterly, averaging 14,425.000 RMB from Dec 1999 (Median) to Dec 2023, with 70 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 127,672.000 RMB in Dec 2023 and a record low of 2,133.000 RMB in Mar 2000. China Average Wage: Urban Non-private: Year to Date: State Owned Unit data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GC: Average Wage: by Industry: Urban Non-private.

In 2024, the average annual per capita disposable income of households in China amounted to approximately 41,300 yuan. Annual per capita income in Chinese saw a significant rise over the last decades and is still rising at a high pace. During the last ten years, per capita disposable income roughly doubled in China. Income distribution in China As an emerging economy, China faces a large number of development challenges, one of the most pressing issues being income inequality. The income gap between rural and urban areas has been stirring social unrest in China and poses a serious threat to the dogma of a “harmonious society” proclaimed by the communist party. In contrast to the disposable income of urban households, which reached around 54,200 yuan in 2024, that of rural households only amounted to around 23,100 yuan. Coinciding with the urban-rural income gap, income disparities between coastal and western regions in China have become apparent. As of 2023, households in Shanghai and Beijing displayed the highest average annual income of around 84,800 and 81,900 yuan respectively, followed by Zhejiang province with 63,800 yuan. Gansu, a province located in the West of China, had the lowest average annual per capita household income in China with merely 25,000 yuan. Income inequality in China The Gini coefficient is the most commonly used measure of income inequality. For China, the official Gini coefficient also indicates the astonishing inequality of income distribution in the country. Although the Gini coefficient has dropped from its high in 2008 at 49.1 points, it still ranged at a score of 46.5 points in 2023. The United Nations have set an index value of 40 as a warning level for serious inequality in a society.

China Average Wage: Professional Skill Worker data was reported at 83,148.000 RMB in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 76,325.000 RMB for 2016. China Average Wage: Professional Skill Worker data is updated yearly, averaging 70,981.000 RMB from Dec 2013 (Median) to 2017, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 83,148.000 RMB in 2017 and a record low of 63,074.000 RMB in 2013. China Average Wage: Professional Skill Worker data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GC: Average Wage: by Industry.

Key information about China Household Income per Capita

• China Annual Household Income per Capita reached 4,805.935 USD in Dec 2013, compared with the previous value of 4,273.467 USD in Dec 2012.
• China Annual Household Income per Capita data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1985 to Dec 2013, with an averaged value of 711.353 USD.
• The data reached an all-time high of 4,805.935 USD in Dec 2013 and a record low of 262.918 USD in Dec 1986.
• In the latest reports, Retail Sales of China grew 12.700 % YoY in May 2023.

CEIC converts Annual Household Income per Capita into USD. The National Bureau of Statistics provides Average Household Income per Capita in local currency. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Household Income covers urban area only.

This statistic shows the average yearly wage growth in China from 2010 to 2021. As of 2021, the average wages in China increased by 9.7 percent compared to the previous year.

Graph and download economic data for Labor Compensation: Earnings: All Activities: Monthly for China (LCEATT03CNA664N) from 1970 to 2014 about compensation, China, and earnings.

Average Wage: Urban Non-private: On Duty: Hainan data was reported at 116,686.000 RMB in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 107,795.000 RMB for 2022. Average Wage: Urban Non-private: On Duty: Hainan data is updated yearly, averaging 45,573.000 RMB from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2023, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 116,686.000 RMB in 2023 and a record low of 10,397.000 RMB in 2003. Average Wage: Urban Non-private: On Duty: Hainan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GC: Average Wage: On Duty.

Average Wage: Private Enterprise: Shanghai data was reported at 111,347.000 RMB in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 104,560.000 RMB for 2022. Average Wage: Private Enterprise: Shanghai data is updated yearly, averaging 47,177.000 RMB from Dec 2009 (Median) to 2023, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 111,347.000 RMB in 2023 and a record low of 21,497.000 RMB in 2009. Average Wage: Private Enterprise: Shanghai data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GC: Average Wage: Region.

China Average Wage: Urban Non-private: Year to Date: Other data was reported at 109,895.000 RMB in Dec 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 103,182.000 RMB for Dec 2021. China Average Wage: Urban Non-private: Year to Date: Other data is updated quarterly, averaging 13,958.000 RMB from Dec 1999 (Median) to Dec 2022, with 69 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 109,895.000 RMB in Dec 2022 and a record low of 2,562.000 RMB in Mar 2000. China Average Wage: Urban Non-private: Year to Date: Other data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GC: Average Wage: by Industry: Urban Non-private.

Average Wage: On Duty: Heilongjiang: Heihe data was reported at 72,607.000 RMB in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 68,513.000 RMB for 2021. Average Wage: On Duty: Heilongjiang: Heihe data is updated yearly, averaging 18,761.770 RMB from Dec 1996 (Median) to 2022, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 72,607.000 RMB in 2022 and a record low of 4,019.000 RMB in 1996. Average Wage: On Duty: Heilongjiang: Heihe data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Heihe Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GG: Average Wage: On Duty: Prefecture Level City.

China Average Monthly Income: Migrant Worker: Goes Out data was reported at 4,893.000 RMB in Sep 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 4,828.000 RMB for Jun 2024. China Average Monthly Income: Migrant Worker: Goes Out data is updated quarterly, averaging 3,432.000 RMB from Dec 2008 (Median) to Sep 2024, with 62 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,441.000 RMB in Dec 2023 and a record low of 1,340.000 RMB in Dec 2008. China Average Monthly Income: Migrant Worker: Goes Out data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GC: Average Income: Migrant Worker.

Average Wage: On Duty: Guangxi: Beihai data was reported at 90,759.650 RMB in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 85,954.000 RMB for 2021. Average Wage: On Duty: Guangxi: Beihai data is updated yearly, averaging 24,761.280 RMB from Dec 1996 (Median) to 2022, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 90,759.650 RMB in 2022 and a record low of 5,650.000 RMB in 1996. Average Wage: On Duty: Guangxi: Beihai data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Beihai Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GG: Average Wage: On Duty: Prefecture Level City.

Average Wage: Guizhou: South Guizhou data was reported at 94,821.000 RMB in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 92,881.000 RMB for 2022. Average Wage: Guizhou: South Guizhou data is updated yearly, averaging 57,270.000 RMB from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2023, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 94,821.000 RMB in 2023 and a record low of 14,054.000 RMB in 2005. Average Wage: Guizhou: South Guizhou data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by South Guizhou Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GP: Average Wage: Prefecture Level Region.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset presents median income data over a decade or more for males and females categorized by Total, Full-Time Year-Round (FT), and Part-Time (PT) employment in China. It showcases annual income, providing insights into gender-specific income distributions and the disparities between full-time and part-time work. The dataset can be utilized to gain insights into gender-based pay disparity trends and explore the variations in income for male and female individuals.

Key observations: Insights from 2023

Based on our analysis ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, we present the following observations: - All workers, aged 15 years and older: In China, the median income for all workers aged 15 years and older, regardless of work hours, was $58,750 for males and $30,313 for females.

These income figures highlight a substantial gender-based income gap in China. Women, regardless of work hours, earn 52 cents for each dollar earned by men. This significant gender pay gap, approximately 48%, underscores concerning gender-based income inequality in the city of China.

- Full-time workers, aged 15 years and older: In China, among full-time, year-round workers aged 15 years and older, males earned a median income of $62,188, while females earned $69,375

Surprisingly, within the subset of full-time workers, women earn a higher income than men, earning 1.12 dollars for every dollar earned by men. This suggests that within full-time roles, womens median incomes significantly surpass mens, contrary to broader workforce trends.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. All incomes have been adjusting for inflation and are presented in 2023-inflation-adjusted dollars.

Gender classifications include:

• Male
• Female

Employment type classifications include:

• Full-time, year-round: A full-time, year-round worker is a person who worked full time (35 or more hours per week) and 50 or more weeks during the previous calendar year.
• Part-time: A part-time worker is a person who worked less than 35 hours per week during the previous calendar year.

Variables / Data Columns

• Year: This column presents the data year. Expected values are 2010 to 2023
• Male Total Income: Annual median income, for males regardless of work hours
• Male FT Income: Annual median income, for males working full time, year-round
• Male PT Income: Annual median income, for males working part time
• Female Total Income: Annual median income, for females regardless of work hours
• Female FT Income: Annual median income, for females working full time, year-round
• Female PT Income: Annual median income, for females working part time

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for China median household income by race. You can refer the same here

This statistic shows the provincial capitals and cities in China with the highest average wage in 2022. At this time, the average wage in non-private companies in Beijing was around 215,100 yuan per annum.