The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security published the minimum wage standards for all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across the country on October 8, with data current as of October 1, 2026.

In terms of the monthly minimum wage, Shanghai ranks first nationwide at 2,740 yuan, while Beijing tops the hourly minimum wage ranking at 27.7 yuan per hour.

What exactly is a minimum wage standard?

The minimum wage standard refers to the lowest labor remuneration that an employer is legally required to pay when a worker has provided 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 provided normal labor within statutory working hours or within the hours agreed upon in a lawfully concluded labor contract, and the employer pays wages below the locally published minimum wage standard, such conduct constitutes a legal violation. If a worker fails to provide normal labor during statutory working hours or during the hours stipulated in a lawfully signed labor contract due to personal reasons, 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 must not fall below the local minimum wage standard after excluding the following items: (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 settings; and (3) statutory welfare benefits for workers as prescribed by laws, regulations, and national rules.

Many regions stipulate that the minimum wage standard includes expenses paid by workers themselves for basic pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, and housing provident fund contributions.

How can workers protect their rights when employers violate the rules?

If an employer violates the minimum wage 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.