On October 8, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security published the minimum wage standards for all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across the country, with data current as of October 1, 2026.
In terms of the monthly minimum wage standard, Shanghai ranked first nationwide with a standard of 2,740 yuan. In terms of the hourly minimum wage standard, Beijing ranked first nationwide with a standard of 27.7 yuan.
What is the minimum wage standard?
The minimum wage standard refers to the minimum 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 agreed upon in a legally signed labor contract. It generally takes two forms: the monthly minimum wage standard and the hourly minimum wage standard. If a worker has provided normal labor within statutory working hours or within the working hours agreed upon in a legally signed labor contract, and the employer pays the worker less than the locally published minimum wage standard, that constitutes an illegal act. If a worker fails to provide normal labor within statutory working hours or within the working hours agreed upon in a legally signed labor contract for reasons attributable to the worker, then the minimum wage standard payment rules 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 payable by the employer to the worker must not be lower than 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 harmful conditions; and (3) welfare benefits for workers stipulated 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, housing provident fund, and other items.
If an employer violates the rules, how can workers protect their rights?
If an employer violates the minimum wage standard payment rules, 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.
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