Wages rise 3.4% in June

Real wages increased 1.6% as companies reported higher average pay rates.

The average wage rate increased 3.4% year on year in nominal terms in June, according to the Census and Statistics Department.

After accounting for changes in consumer prices, the average wage rate rose 1.6% in real terms.

About 62% of surveyed companies reported higher average wage rates compared with the previous year. Another 33% recorded decreases, while the remaining 5% reported virtually no change.

Nominal wage growth was recorded across all surveyed industries, ranging from 2.4% to 4.2%.

Real wage rates also increased across all selected industries, with growth ranging from 0.6% to 2.4%.

Average payroll per person engaged increased 3.5% in nominal terms in the second quarter of 2026 from a year earlier. After adjusting for inflation, payroll rose 1.6%.

Nominal payroll growth across the surveyed industries ranged from 2% to 5.3%.

Real payroll increased by between 0.5% and 3.3% across most industries. Payroll in sewerage, waste management and remediation activities was virtually unchanged after adjusting for inflation.

A government spokesperson said wages and labor earnings continued to increase solidly during the second quarter, with growth recorded broadly across industries.

The government expects wage growth to remain positive as continued economic expansion supports labor demand and further increases in earnings.

However, it said external uncertainties and their potential effects on Hong Kong’s economy would continue to be monitored.

The wage index covers basic wages and other regular and guaranteed payments for employees up to the supervisory level. The payroll index has broader coverage, including employees at all levels, working proprietors, overtime payments and discretionary bonuses.