As of July 1, 2025, China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has released the latest nationwide minimum wage standards for provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government. Currently, most regions employ a tiered system, with up to four different minimum wage levels.
Shanghai leads the pack with a monthly minimum wage of RMB 2,740. Beijing follows at RMB 2,420. Guangdong province’s highest tier is set at RMB 2,500, while Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces share the same top tier of RMB 2,490.
When it comes to hourly minimum wage, Beijing tops the list at RMB 26.4. Shanghai comes in second at RMB 25, with Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces setting their highest tiers at RMB 23.7, RMB 24, and RMB 24, respectively.
The minimum wage standard represents the lowest legally mandated compensation that employers must pay employees for normal work performed within statutory working hours or contractually agreed-upon working hours. The monthly minimum wage applies to full-time employees, while the hourly minimum wage applies to part-time workers.
While the minimum wage may seem inconsequential to higher-earning workers, adjustments to this standard have a tangible impact on the overall distribution of income and can substantially benefit China’s workforce.
Increases in the minimum wage trigger corresponding adjustments in other employee benefits and entitlements. For example, companies often use the minimum wage as a reference point when calculating overtime pay and social security contribution bases. Therefore, a rise in the minimum wage can lead to a broader improvement in social security levels, benefiting workers across the board.
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