Average Salary in Hong Kong: Salaries by City and Experience

Hong Kong is one of the most dynamic economies in Asia. It offers a diverse job market with various lucrative opportunities in fields like Science, Information Technology and Healthcare.

The high standard of living and attractive career opportunities attract foreign professionals worldwide to Hong Kong. However, before moving to Hong Kong for job opportunities, it is important to be well-informed about the pay scale in Hong Kong.

Here is a detailed overview of the Salary data in Hong Kong that will help you plan your finances for your relocation more effectively.  

Quick Overview

• The average salary in Hong Kong per month for a full-time worker is HKD 36,583.33.
• The average income in Hong Kong for a part-time worker is HKD 56 per hour.
• Top Job Sectors in Hong Kong  
  • Science (HKD  398,308)
  • Law Enforcement & Security (HKD  313,500) 
  • Information Technology (HKD  304,636)
  • Healthcare, Pharmaceutical & Social Services (HKD  287,669
  • Banking, Finance & Insurance (HKD  283,370) 
• Top Companies in Hong Kong: AIA, Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, Bank of China, China Unicorn, Jardine Matheson.

Do you know?

• The annual GDP growth in Hong Kong was 3.2% in 2023, which is an impressive 3.9% increase compared to -3.7 in 2022.[1]
• Only 3.9% of the total labour force was unemployed in 2023 in Hong Kong, which is a 0.4% drop from the initial 4.3% in 2022 [2 ]
• The inflation in consumer prices was only 2.1% in Hong Kong in the year 2023.[3]

Factors affecting salary in Hong Kong

Various economic factors affect salary trends in Hong Kong. Here are a few key driving factors behind the Hong Kong salary trends.

Economic Growth

Resources for economic growth, productivity levels, employment demand, prices, investment, and competitiveness are critical factors influencing salary trends. Balancing these aspects is vital for a stable economy.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Hong Kong is one of the highest in the world. This factor influences the structures of basic salaries in Hong Kong, as employers offer higher wages to help employees manage their expensive lifestyles. 

Industry Demand

Demand for finance, technology, and healthcare professionals drives higher salary levels due to the need for specialised skills and expertise. This trend impacts regional salary trends and promotes salary growth in these sectors.

Labour Market Conditions

The labour market’s competitive nature influences wage decisions. Competitive markets require salaries that align with market standards to retain a strong workforce. On the other hand, non-competitive markets allow more flexible wage adjustments without risking significant job losses. 

Beyond the economic factors, certain socio-political aspects also impact the pay scale in Hong Kong. 

Public and Stakeholder Views

The perspectives of employees, shareholders, investors and the public significantly impact wages. Employees’ quality of life and purchasing power, shareholder’s returns on investment and overall economic health are crucial when it comes to the determination of the pay scale in Hong Kong. These factors heavily influence policymakers, and it becomes essential to consider these aspects to balance the economy of the region.  

Social Inclusion

Salary structures also reflect the efforts to address labour market inequality and the national poverty rates. A well-set minimum wage helps protect vulnerable workers, including social and gender minorities, from exploitation in workspaces. It ensures a basic standard of living and supports social employment policies. 

Average Salary for Full-Time Workers: (HKD 36,583.33)

Known for its thriving job market, Hong Kong offers various lucrative career opportunities/. Having a clear idea of Hong Kong’s average income based on the industry makes searching for jobs that fit your financial goals and interests easier. 

Here is a detailed list of Hong Kong’s salary comparison as per the thriving industries in the region, followed by the most lucrative job roles: 

Source: Talent

Science: Average Salary – (HKD  398,308)

Source: Talent

Law Enforcement & Security: Average Salary – (HKD  313,500)

Source: Talent

Information Technology : Average salary – (HKD 304,636)

Source: Talent

Healthcare, Pharmaceutical & Social Services: Average salary – (HKD  287,669)

Source: Talent

Banking, Finance & Insurance: Average salary – (HKD  283,370)

Source: Talent

Average Salary for Part-time Workers: (HKD 56 per hour)

With the high cost of living in Hong Kong, working a part-time job is a great option for students or working professionals in search of stable and full-time employment.

A great option for individuals with higher education is to try tutoring jobs where there may be options to increase the stated salary by education level and expertise. One can also choose various other part-time options that can be more career-specific. Here are some of the more popular choices for part-time jobs in Hong Kong and their respective average pay:

Source: Yocket

Citywise comparison

Here is an overview of provincial salary variations around Hong Kong:

Source: Livingcost.org (Refer citywise pages)

Note: The above rates were converted from USD to HKD  on 08th July 2024 at 08:00 HRS IST using Forbes Currency Converter Tool.

Highest paying job in Hong Kong

Hong Kong offers attractive job opportunities in science, information technology, and finance. Due to the high demand for a skilled and educated workforce, these sectors also offer competitive salary rates alongside various benefits and opportunities for career scaling.

Here are some of the most lucrative job roles in Hong Kong and their respective pay range:

Source: Talent

Lowest/minimum paying job in Hong Kong

As per the regulations set by the Labour Department in Hong Kong, the Statutory Minimum Wage in Hong Kong is HKD 40. This amount can vary depending on location, number of hours, type of occupation and so on.

Here is a list of some minimum wage jobs in Hong Kong:

Source: Paylab

Salary with respect to experience

Hong Kong’s thriving industries require quality education and substantial industry experience, to deliver high-quality results. Employers offer higher salaries to attract and retain skilled professionals who can contribute effectively to their organisations.

Here’s a quick overview of salary breakdowns based on experience in Hong Kong’s most lucrative fields:

Source: Robert Half Hong Kong Salary Guide 2024 

Difference between median & average (mean) salary

When researching the average wage in Hong Kong, it is essential to understand related details, such as the region’s mean and median salary.

These two concepts are often misunderstood, leading to significant miscalculations during financial planning. This can lead to vulnerable financial situations upon relocation to Hong Kong. To avoid such incidents, here is a simplified explanation of both the Hong Kong median income and mean income, along with examples  :

Mean Salary

The mean or average salary is calculated by dividing the sum of all salary values in a sample set by the number of entries in that set. Here is an example:

From this data set, to calculate the average salary, we would require a sum of all the salary values:  

HKD 96,800+ HKD 16,900+HKD 22,300+HKD 36,700+HKD 46,500 = HKD 219,200

Diving this sum by the number of entries in the data set will give us the final average : 

HKD 219,200/5= HKD 43,440. 

Hence, the mean or average income for this dataset is HKD 43,440.

Median Salary

The median salary is the middle value of a salary data set when arranged in ascending order. Let us now determine the median salary:

The median salary is the middle value of a salary data set. Hence, the median salary here is HKD 36,700. 

Why is the median salary crucial in salary research? It represents the midpoint of a salary range in a dataset, offering a clearer view of typical earnings in Hong Kong. Unlike the mean, the median isn’t influenced by outliers. Making it valuable for understanding wage distribution. 

Before you go…

If you aim to seize Hong Kong’s lucrative career opportunities, start planning now. Researching the pay scale in Hong Kong and understanding the cost of living is essential for a solid budget plan.

Relocating to a new country attracts various expenses. Moreover, if you plan to send money from Hong Kong to your home country, it is important to consider a money transfer platform that offers quick* and cost-effective# transfer services. 

A reliable service for such international transactions is Instarem, which is known for its affordable# and fast* fund transfers. 

Moreover, it is also easily accessible via the Instarem App, which is available on both Google Play and the App Store. 

FAQs

Q. What is the current average salary in Hong Kong?

The current average salary in Hong Kong per month for a full-time worker is HKD 36,583.33.

Q. What is a good salary in Hong Kong?

Good income in Hong Kong can be subjective and is often influenced by factors like rental location, lifestyle, etc. However, a salary range of around HKD 25,000 – HKD 45,000 should suffice to live comfortably in Hong Kong. 

Q. Which job has the highest salary in Hong Kong?

Job roles in the Science and Information Technology industry tend to attract some of the highest salary packages in Hong Kong, with a job like a Database Administrator earning around HKD 495,000 annually on average. 

Q. Which job has the lowest salary in Hong Kong?

Assistant-level jobs tend to attract lower salaries in Hong Kong with job roles like a Nursery School Teacher Assistant earning around HKD 7,497 per month. 

Q. What is the average salary in Hong Kong for IT?

The average salary for IT in Hong Kong is around HKD  304,636.

Q. What is the average salary in Hong Kong per month for an Indian?

In Hong Kong, the average salary of an Indian working professional can vary significantly based on factors such as the level of education, experience in the field, industry of occupation, etc. The average salary in Hong Kong per month for an Indian or any other expat is around HKD 36,583.

Q. How do you find a job in Hong Kong?

You can easily find a job in Hong Kong on global job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, jobsdb by seek, etc. 

Other related blogs:

Germany – Average Salary in Germany

Australia – Average Salary in Australia

USA – Average Salary in USA

Canada – Average Salary in Canada

UK – Average Salary in UK

Singapore – Average salary in Singapore

Ireland – Average Salary in Ireland

Malaysia – Average salary in Malaysia

Japan – Average Salary in Japan 

Netherlands – Average salary in the Netherlands

Disclaimers:

This article is intended for informational purposes only. All details are accurate at the time of publishing. Instarem has no affiliation or relationship with products or vendors mentioned.

* Fast meaning 75% of our transactions are completed in 15 minutes. Depending on the funding method.

#When it comes to affordable exchange rates and fees, it’s worth noting that the cost will vary depending on how you choose to fund your transactions. Credit card funding and bank transfer fees can differ significantly. 

The values were taken on 5th and 8th July from different websites and may be subject to change.

Citations

• https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?locations=HK [1]
• https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?locations=HK [2]
• https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG?end=2023&locations=HK&skipRedirection=true&start=1982&view=chart  [3]