China Salary Average

China is an increasingly attractive destination for jobseekers. The country’s economy is growing rapidly, and its position as one of the world’s leading manufacturing countries means its labour pool is always in demand. But what about salary? What’s it like for the average worker in China?

In this article, we’ll take a look at the average salary in China and what it means for employees and employers. We’ll cover the national average wages, as well as the variation between different regions and industries.

National Average Salary in China

According to data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics, the average monthly salary for a full-time employee in China is 5,712 Yuan (around US$818). This figure is based on data from 2017, and it’s an average across all industries and regions.

It’s important to note, however, that this figure only applies to those with a full-time job. If we take into account part-time workers, the average salary drops to 4,300 Yuan (around US$621). This figure is still higher than the global average wage of US$474.

When we look at the average salary by city, there’s a great deal of variation. For example, the average wage for workers in Beijing is 8,000 Yuan (around US$1,154) – far higher than the national average. On the other hand, the average salary for workers in the poorer western provinces is much lower at 3,800 Yuan (around US$554).

Variation By Industry

China is a highly diverse country with a wide range of industries and sectors. As you might expect, the average salary in different industries varies greatly.

The highest paying sectors include banking and finance, IT, and telecommunications, with an average salary of 8,800 Yuan (around US$1,273). Other high paying sectors include oil and gas (7,200 Yuan/US$1,032) and pharmaceuticals (6,800 Yuan/US$978).

At the other end of the scale, the lowest paying sectors in China are retail (3,700 Yuan/US$535), hospitality (3,600 Yuan/US$519), and transportation (3,200 Yuan/US$459).

Cost of Living

It’s worth noting that the cost of living in China is much lower than in Western countries. This means that a salary of 5,000 Yuan (around US$707) is actually enough to support a comfortable life, even in the biggest cities.

For example, food prices in China are significantly lower than in the US or the UK. The average price of a meal in a mid-priced restaurant is around 40-50 Yuan (around US$6-7), while rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is around 1,000-2,000 Yuan (around US$144-288) a month.

Conclusion

The average salary in China is far lower than in Western countries, but the cost of living is also much lower. This means that even the average salary of 5,712 Yuan (around US$818) per month is enough to support a comfortable standard of living.

It’s important to bear in mind, however, that salaries vary greatly from industry to industry and from region to region. The highest-paying sectors are banking and finance, IT and telecommunications, and the lowest paying sectors are retail, hospitality, and transportation.

Overall, China is an attractive destination for jobseekers, and its rapidly growing economy means that salaries are likely to continue to rise in the future.