China: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security Released the Minimum Wage Standards Across all Provinces, Autonomous Regions and Municipalities (as of 1 January 2026)

On January 12, the Department of Employment Relations under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security released the Minimum Wage Standards across all Provinces, Autonomous Regions and Municipalities (as of January 1, 2026). The move aims to regulate wage distribution and safeguard the basic living needs of low-income employees.

The document lists monthly and hourly minimum wage standards for all provinces across the country by region, categorized into four tiers. For the first-tier monthly minimum wage, Shanghai leads at RMB 2,740, followed by Jiangsu and Zhejiang at RMB 2,660, Beijing at RMB 2,540, Tianjin at RMB 2,510, and Guangdong at RMB 2,500 (with Shenzhen setting separately at RMB 2,520). Some provinces adopt multi-tiered standards. For example, Anhui has four tiers set at RMB 2,320, RMB 2,170, RMB 2,100 and RMB 2,000, while Fujian’s are set at RMB 2,265, RMB 2195, RMB 2045 and RMB 1,895. For first-tier hourly minimum wage, Beijing tops the list at RMB 27.7, followed by Tianjin at RMB 26.6, Jiangsu and Zhejiang at RMB 25, Shanghai at RMB 25, and Guangdong at RMB 23.7. The document explicitly states that all data are benchmarked as of 1 January 2026.

Key Action Points

The minimum wage standard refers to the lowest remuneration an employer must legally pay an employee who has provided normal labour during statutory working hours or hours agreed in a lawful employment contract. Normal labour includes periods of paid statutory leave such as annual leave, family visit leave, marriage or bereavement leave, and maternity leave.

The primary beneficiaries of the minimum wage standard are low-income employees. Raising the standard helps safeguard and improve the basic livelihood of low-income employees and their dependents. It may also raise overall wage levels and increase the calculation base for overtime pay. In addition, certain benefits linked to the minimum wage, including unemployment insurance benefits, sick-leave wages during medical treatment periods, and basic living allowances during work stoppages or business suspensions, will also increase.

However, adjustments to the minimum wage raise enterprises’ employment costs and compliance pressure. Employers must ensure compliance with the updated standards to avoid legal risks.