Average Salary in China in 2026 by Industry & Region

China's labor market operates on a massive scale. If you want to tap into one of the world's largest talent pools, you need to know how much people make here.

Different regions and industries in China have very different average salaries. However, most estimates project the average salary in 2026 to be between RMB 10,400 and RMB 14,000 per month. That comes out to about RMB 125,000 to RMB 168,000 a year, or about US$18,000 to US$24,200 a year at the current exchange rate. Professionals who work in cities like Shanghai and Beijing and are formally employed make considerably more than this average. The lower end of this range shows the average pay for workers in China's rural and manufacturing sectors.

The pay levels in China tell an interesting story about the country's regions. Chinese workers make a lot more money than workers in India (an average of US$4,600 a year) and Vietnam (an average of $8,364 a year), but not as much as workers in Japan. China is now in the middle of the pack among Asian economies. This is because it has gone from being a cost-efficient place to make things to an economy that is becoming more complex.

The current salary situation is important for employers worldwide. As the world’s largest workforce, there are over 700 million people actively working, giving it depth in technical, manufacturing, and professional roles that few other markets can match. Professionals in larger cities like Shanghai and Beijing make significantly more money than the national average.

Average salary by job type in China

In China's diverse economy, professional roles command different compensation levels. Most technical and management jobs pay much more than entry-level and support jobs.

As of 2026, these are the estimated gross annual salaries for common jobs in China:

Software Developer/Engineer. RMB 348,300 (US$50,200)
IT Manager. RMB 581,300 (US$83,800)
Data Analyst. RMB 312,400 (US$45,000)
Project Manager. RMB 233,800 (US$33,700)
Accountant. RMB 273,400 (US$39,400)
Customer Support Specialist. RMB 77,200 (US$11,100)
Sales Manager. RMB 400,000 (US$57,600)
Operations Manager. RMB 381,000 (US$54,900)
HR Coordinator. RMB 180,000 (US$25,900)

These numbers represent mid-level professionals across most cities. Entry-level jobs generally pay 30% to 40% less than these benchmarks, while senior jobs requiring considerable experience can pay 50% to 100% more.

Average salary by city/region in China

Compensation expectations in China vary widely depending on where you hire. Tier 1 cities pay more, but the cost of living is much higher there.

Beijing

The main businesses in Beijing's economy are government agencies, consulting firms, and tech companies. The average salary is RMB 224,600 per year, and people who work in consulting and tech make between RMB 18,000 and RMB 25,000 per month. The cost of living is high, around RMB 7,100 a month, but there are a lot of multinational companies and state-owned businesses, which means there's a wealth of talented people in many fields.

Shanghai

Shanghai is the clear business capital of China. The city has the highest average salary, which is RMB 235,500 per year. Finance and tech workers can make between RMB 20,000 and RMB 30,000 a month. A one-bedroom apartment costs RMB 6,450 (about US$930) a month, and living costs are about RMB 7,800. The trade-off is that you can hire people from all over the world and get the best professional services in China.

Shenzhen

Shenzhen is the center of China's innovation economy, especially in hardware, electronics, and software. The average salary is over RMB 317,000 per year, and tech workers earn much more than the national average. The city draws in ambitious tech workers with good pay and a younger population than Beijing or Shanghai. The cost of living is lower than in Shanghai, with monthly rent at RMB 5,900, making it a prime location for companies to build engineering and product teams.

Chengdu

Chengdu has become a major tech and outsourcing center with low living costs. People who work here earn between RMB 180,000 and RMB 220,000 a year, which is about 30–40% less than they would earn in Shanghai for the same job. Because the cost of living is lower in the city (rent is about RMB 4,000), those salaries go further. Many big tech companies have set up shop here to hire skilled workers at a lower cost than in coastal cities.

Key factors influencing salaries in China

In China’s employment landscape, pay depends on more than just the job itself. Employers can make competitive offers that attract the right candidates if they understand the factors that shape salary expectations.

Level of education and experience. Professionals with a bachelor's degree earn 30-50% more than those without one. Those with advanced degrees and specialized certifications earn even more, especially in technical and management jobs.
City tier classification. Tier 1 cities like Beijing and Shanghai pay 40-60% more than Tier 2 cities, while Tier 3 cities pay considerably less than the national average.
Type of industry. The tech and finance sectors pay the most, with an average of RMB 300,000 or more per year. Manufacturing pays an average of RMB 150,000, and education usually pays less than RMB 120,000.
Company ownership structure. Foreign companies and joint ventures can often pay 20-40% more than Chinese companies for the same jobs. This is because they are competing for bilingual talent and professionals with international experience.
Language skills. Being fluent in both English and Mandarin can raise salaries by 5–20% or more. Multinational companies place a high value on professionals who can work in both cultures.
Company size and reputation. Large corporations and well-known tech companies like Tencent, Alibaba, and Baidu pay a lot more than small and medium-sized businesses.
Special skills and certifications. Technical certifications, project management credentials, and specialized knowledge of new technologies can increase earnings by 20-35% more than a baseline role.

Compensation structure and benefits

There are parts of China's compensation system that might surprise employers from Western markets. Knowing certain structures helps set realistic goals when making offers. To start, employers should be aware that China's Social Credit System can affect hiring and employment decisions. This system tracks individual and corporate compliance with regulations, potentially influencing background checks and employer reputation in ways that impact talent attraction.

Chinese businesses usually offer substantial year-end bonuses based on the Lunar New Year calendar. Most companies provide their employees with 13th-month pay, and many also give bonuses equal to 1–3 months of base pay based on how well they perform. The tech and finance industries often push this up, so annual bonuses are a big part of total pay.

There are big differences between gross and net pay. Social insurance contributions that are required take about 10–11% of an employee's paycheck. This pays for things like pensions, medical care, unemployment, and maternity leave. Employers pay an extra 30–37% on top of gross salary, which means that the total cost of hiring someone is much higher than the stated wage.

Another unique feature is the allowance system. In urban markets, it’s not uncommon for housing, meals, and transportation stipends to add 15-25% to base pay. These allowances help cover the high cost of living in cities and are listed as separate line items in employment contracts rather than included in the base salary.

FAQs

Employers considering China often have similar questions about compensation and hiring. Here are clear answers to the most common concerns.

What is the minimum salary in China?

China sets minimum wages at the provincial and municipal levels rather than at the national level. Shanghai has the highest minimum wage at RMB 2,740 per month (US$395), while Beijing's is RMB 2,540 per month (US$366). China’s minimums in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are usually between RMB 1,500 and RMB 2,000. This is because living costs are lower in these areas.

What is the average salary in China in USD?

The average salary in China is between US$18,200 and US$24,000 per year, based on the latest data. This means that it costs between US$1,500 and US$2,000 a month. Professionals who reside in China's tech hubs and have formal job skills tend to make more money than people who work in other areas, like manufacturing and rural areas.

Is Chengdu a good place to hire or work?

Chengdu offers excellent value for building tech and operations teams. Salaries run lower than in Shanghai while maintaining strong talent pools in software development, customer support, and business operations. The lower cost of living makes compensation packages competitive even at reduced salary levels compared to coastal cities.

What is a good salary in China?

Where talent resides and the skills behind it directly affect salary expectations and what’s considered good earnings. In Tier 1 cities like Shanghai or Beijing, making more than RMB 200,000 a year is considered a good salary for a professional. In Tier 2 cities, RMB 150,000 or more is a healthy salary, while in Tier 3 cities, RMB 100,000 or more is ample.

Do Chinese employers offer bonuses?

Yes, bonuses are common in Chinese employment. Most businesses give their employees a 13th-month salary or a substantial Lunar New Year bonus that is equal to one to three months of base pay. Performance bonuses are considered vital for 60% of employees, especially those in sales, technology, and management.

Onboard Chinese talent with confidence

Hiring in China gets complicated fast between social insurance contributions, bonus structures, and regional compliance requirements. At Pebl, we eliminate the guesswork with our global EOR services that cover everything from social insurance contributions to year-end bonuses. We handle the payroll, benefits, and employment logistics across 185+ countries, including China, so you can focus on building your team instead of navigating Chinese labor law. Our experts are ready to discuss how we can help build your dream team in China.

This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice and is for general informational purposes only. The intent of this document is solely to provide general and preliminary information for private use. Do not rely on it as an alternative to legal, financial, taxation, or accountancy advice from an appropriately qualified professional. The content in this guide is provided “as is,” and no representations are made that the content is error-free.