Key Facts: French Polynesia vs China Wages
- French Polynesia Minimum Wage
- ₣904.82/hr ($6.42 USD)
- China Minimum Wage
- ¥25/hr ($3.70 USD)
- French Polynesia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₣145,975 /mo ($1,036.23 USD)
- China Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ¥10,343 /mo ($1,528.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- WageIndicator Foundation (2026-05-04), Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS); regional rates verified via china-briefing.com aggregator (April 2026) (2026-05-04)
French Polynesia
China
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in French Polynesia is 74% higher than in China when converted to USD. Average salaries are lower in French Polynesia at $1,036/mo compared to $1,529/mo in China.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | French Polynesia | China |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₣904.82 $6.42 | ¥25 $3.70 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₣156,835 $1,113.32 | ¥2,740 $405.02 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₣1,882,626 $13,364.20 | ¥32,880 $4,860.24 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₣145,975 /mo $1,036.23 | ¥10,343 /mo $1,528.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ¥8,274 /mo $1,223.04 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₣1,536,000 /yr $10,903.60 | ¥34,707 /yr $5,130.30 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means French Polynesia is higher.
Work Week
- French Polynesia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours in French Polynesia (differs from metropolitan France's 35 hours).
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from China to French Polynesia would see a 74% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from China's perspective: China vs French Polynesia
Compare French Polynesia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in French Polynesia or China?
In French Polynesia, the minimum wage is ₣904.82/hr ($6.42 USD). In China, it is ¥25/hr ($3.70 USD). French Polynesia has the higher rate by 74% 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 much less does the average worker earn in French Polynesia compared to China?
The average gross salary in French Polynesia is ₣145,975/mo ($1,036.23 USD), compared to ¥10,343/mo ($1,528.88 USD) in China. In USD terms, workers in French Polynesia earn approximately 48% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between French Polynesia and China is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in China earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in French Polynesia.
How do work hours compare between French Polynesia and China?
Both French Polynesia and China mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.