Economy / Salary

Average Salary in China (1978-2024)

Average annual wages in urban non-private sector grew from $86 in 1978 to over $16,800 in 2024. This page shows historical wage growth and industry comparisons.

Avg Wage 2024

$18,100

~$18,000 USD/year

Avg Wage 1978

$86

Growth

210x

Understanding China's Salary Data

China reports average wages separately for “urban non-private units” (state-owned enterprises, foreign companies, listed companies) and “private sector.” The non-private sector typically pays 50-80% more than the private sector.

Highest Paying Industries (2024)

  • IT / Software: ~$32,200/year ($32K USD)
  • Finance: ~$28,000/year ($28K USD)
  • Scientific Research: ~$23,800/year ($24K USD)
  • Education: ~$16,800/year ($17K USD)
  • Manufacturing: ~$14,000/year ($14K USD)
  • Agriculture: ~$8,400/year ($8K USD) — lowest

Private vs State Sector

Private sector average wage (2024): $10,000/year (~$10K USD). This is about 55% of the non-private sector average. The gap has widened over time as state-owned enterprises and tech companies drive up the non-private average.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics, China Statistical Yearbook 2025.