The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security website recently released the minimum wage standards for all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government, with data current as of October 1, 2026.
In terms of the monthly minimum wage standard, Shanghai ranks first nationwide with a standard of 2,740 yuan; in terms of the hourly minimum wage standard, Beijing ranks first nationwide with a standard of 27.7 yuan.
What exactly is a minimum wage standard?
The minimum wage standard refers to the minimum labor remuneration that an employer is legally required to pay, provided that the worker has performed normal labor within statutory working hours or within the working hours stipulated in a legally signed labor contract. It generally takes two forms: a monthly minimum wage standard and an hourly minimum wage standard.
If a worker has performed normal labor within statutory working hours or within the working hours stipulated in a legally signed labor contract, and the employer pays the worker less than the locally published minimum wage standard, this constitutes an illegal act. If a worker fails to provide normal labor during statutory working hours or during the working hours stipulated in a legally signed labor contract due to personal reasons, then the minimum wage standard payment provisions do not apply to that worker's wages.
Does the minimum wage standard include social insurance contributions and overtime pay?
According to the Provisions on Minimum Wages, when a worker provides normal labor, the wages an employer pays to the worker, after excluding the following items, must not fall below the local minimum wage standard: (1) wages for extended working hours; (2) allowances for special working environments and conditions such as middle shifts, night shifts, high temperatures, low temperatures, underground work, and toxic or hazardous conditions; and (3) welfare benefits for workers as stipulated by laws, regulations, and national provisions.
Many regions stipulate that the minimum wage standard includes expenses paid by the worker personally, such as basic pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, and housing provident fund contributions.
How can workers protect their rights if an employer violates the rules?
If an employer violates the minimum wage standard payment provisions, workers may report and complain to the local human resources and social security department, or apply for mediation, arbitration, or file a lawsuit in accordance with the law.