Median hourly wage increase outpaces average inflation

Median hourly wage climbed from $60.0 to $82.9 in ten years.

Median hourly wage for employees across Hong Kong has climbed $60.0 to $82.9, a 3.3% average annual increase from 2014 to 2024, outpacing the Composite Consumer Price Index (CPI)’s 2.0% average annual increase.

In terms of sector, highest increase recorded in "Food and beverage services" industry, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%, whilst "Education and public administration (excluding the Government)" industry recorded the lowest increase of 2.5%.

The highest median hourly wage by industry was $146.2 in “Education and public administration (excluding the Government),” followed by "Financing and insurance,” "Electricity and gas supply,” and "Construction.”

The ranking of these four industries had remained relatively stable over the past 10 years.

The lowest median hourly was $53 in “Estate management, security and cleaning services,” followed by "Miscellaneous activities,” "Retail trade,” and "Food and beverage services.”

In terms of sex, the median hourly wages for males were higher than females, which is partly due to occupations and industries employees engaging in, as well as variations in educational levels and working experience.

In terms of age, employees aged 35 to 44 earn the highest reaching $97.2 in 2024, followed by those aged 25 to 34 and aged 45 - 54 who earn $ 86.7 and $83.9, respectively.

Employees aged 55 and between 15 to 24 earn relatively low with a median hourly wage of $66.7 and $62.8, respectively as levels of education and working experiences differs among them.

Higher levels of education generally earn much, employees who obtain post-secondary level earn 29.1% more median hourly wage from $97.7 in 2014 to $126.1 in 2024.

But employees with an educational level of primary and below had more significant wage increase, with the median hourly wage rising 44.2% from $39.4 in 2014 to $56.8 in 2024 due to the implementation of the Statutory Minimum Wage since 2011.

Citizens can visit Wages and Labour Earnings for more details.