Key Facts: China vs New Caledonia Wages
- China Minimum Wage
- ¥25/hr ($3.70 USD)
- New Caledonia Minimum Wage
- ₣991.73/hr ($7.04 USD)
- China Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ¥10,343 /mo ($1,528.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS); regional rates verified via china-briefing.com aggregator (April 2026) (2026-05-04), WageIndicator Foundation (2026-05-04)
China 
New Caledonia
Updated 2026-05-04
New Caledonia Minimum Wage
₣991.73 /hr
$7.04 USD
The minimum wage in China is 48% lower than in New Caledonia in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | China | New Caledonia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ¥25 $3.70 | ₣991.73 $7.04 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ¥2,740 $405.02 | ₣167,602 $1,189.76 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ¥32,880 $4,860.24 | ₣2,011,224 $14,277.08 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ¥10,343 /mo $1,528.88 | N/A/mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ¥8,274 /mo $1,223.04 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | ¥34,707 /yr $5,130.30 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means China is higher.
Work Week
- China
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets 40 hours/week standard (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Overtime limited to 36 hours/month. Weekday overtime: 150%, rest day overtime: 200%, statutory holiday overtime: 300%. The '996' culture (9am-9pm, 6 days/week) is widespread in tech but was ruled illegal by the Supreme People's Court in 2021.
- New Caledonia
-
39 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 39 hours in New Caledonia (differs from metropolitan France's 35 hours). Overtime: 25% premium for hours 40-43, 50% premium beyond 43 hours.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in China earns 91% less per hour in USD terms than one in New Caledonia. Standard work weeks differ: China mandates 40 hours while New Caledonia mandates 39 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in China are $148 vs $275 in New Caledonia.
See this comparison from New Caledonia's perspective: New Caledonia vs China
Compare China with...
China vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
China vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
China vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
China vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
China vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
China vs France € 12.02 /hr 
China vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
China vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
China vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
China vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
China vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
China vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
China vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
China vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
China vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
China vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
China vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
China vs Switzerland 
China vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
China vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
China vs Sweden 
China vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
China vs Singapore 
China vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in China or New Caledonia?
In China, the minimum wage is ¥25/hr ($3.70 USD). In New Caledonia, it is ₣991.73/hr ($7.04 USD). New Caledonia has the higher rate by 91% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in China may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How do work hours compare between China and New Caledonia?
China has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 39 hours in New Caledonia. Workers in China work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in New Caledonia working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.