Key Facts: Hong Kong Wages
- Country
- Hong Kong (HKG)
- Continent
- Asia
- Currency
- Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
- Minimum Wage
- HK$42.10 /hr ($5.37 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- HK$20,500 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- HK$246,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- HK$246,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- hours
- Data Source
- Minimum Wage Commission / Census and Statistics Department, HKSAR; current rate verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2025-05-01)
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-04
Hong Kong — Average Salary & Wages
Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) Data verified Jan 2025 Sources
The average salary in Hong Kong is
HK$246,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than HK$246,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Hong Kong is HK$42.10/hr ($5.37 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is HK$20,500 ($2,613.50 USD). The median monthly income is HK$20,500 ($2,613.50 USD).
Median monthly employment earnings of HKD 20,500 (C&SD, 2024). The median is well below the mean because the financial sector pulls average earnings up.
Median monthly employment earnings (HKD 20,500, C&SD 2024). The C&SD does not publish a mean for all employed persons, so this reflects the median. Hong Kong has a low, simple tax system (progressive rates up to 15%, or a flat 15% standard rate).
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2011, the minimum wage has grown +50% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Hong Kong, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $7.50/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Hong Kong earns HK$7,297/mo. That is 36% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- HK$7,297 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 36% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $930.28/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +50% since 2011
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- HK$42.10
- Monthly
- HK$7,297Based on 173.33 hours/month (40 hrs/week). Actual monthly earnings depend on hours worked; there is no statutory monthly minimum.
- Annual
- HK$87,568Based on 2,080 hours/year (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks)
Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW) set under the Minimum Wage Ordinance (Cap. 608). Increased to HKD 42.1/hr (12.3% increase from HKD 37.50), effective May 1, 2025. The SMW is hourly only; there is no monthly statutory minimum. The Minimum Wage Commission reviews the rate every two years. Live-in domestic helpers have a separate minimum allowable wage (MAW) set by the government.
Work Week
- Standard
- hrs/wk
Hong Kong has NO statutory standard working hours or maximum working hours for most employees (a rare situation globally). The government has considered legislation but has not enacted a standard hours law. Working hours are determined by individual employment contracts. Average actual working hours are ~40-44 hrs/week. Overtime pay is not legally mandated except for certain specific occupations.
How Hong Kong Compares
| Metric | Hong Kong | Asia Avg. | Asia Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $5.37/hr | $2.61/hr | $11.89/hr (Israel) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $2,613.50/mo | $1,185.31/mo | $4,472.55/mo (Singapore) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Barbados | $5.36 |
| Romania | $5.30 |
| Latvia | $5.12 |
| Cook Islands | $5.67 |
| Oman | $4.88 |
| Hong Kong | $5.37 |
Related Wage Comparisons
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Bhutan Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Hong Kong on our sister site.
Cost of living in Hong Kong on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Hong Kong?
The minimum wage in Hong Kong is HK$42.10/hr (approximately $5.37 USD), effective since 2025-05-01. Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW) set under the Minimum Wage Ordinance (Cap. 608). Increased to HKD 42.1/hr (12.3% increase from HKD 37.50), effective May 1, 2025. The SMW is hourly only; there is no monthly statutory minimum. The Minimum Wage Commission reviews the rate every two years. Live-in domestic helpers have a separate minimum allowable wage (MAW) set by the government.
What is the average salary in Hong Kong?
The average gross monthly salary in Hong Kong is HK$20,500 (approximately $2,613.50 USD). Median monthly employment earnings (HKD 20,500, C&SD 2024). The C&SD does not publish a mean for all employed persons, so this reflects the median. Hong Kong has a low, simple tax system (progressive rates up to 15%, or a flat 15% standard rate). Source: Census and Statistics Department, HKSAR (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Hong Kong?
The standard work week in Hong Kong is null hours. Hong Kong has NO statutory standard working hours or maximum working hours for most employees (a rare situation globally). The government has considered legislation but has not enacted a standard hours law. Working hours are determined by individual employment contracts. Average actual working hours are ~40-44 hrs/week. Overtime pay is not legally mandated except for certain specific occupations.
How has the minimum wage in Hong Kong changed over time?
The minimum wage in Hong Kong has changed as follows: HK$28 in 2011, HK$30 in 2013, HK$32.50 in 2015, HK$34.50 in 2017, HK$37.50 in 2019, HK$37.50 in 2023, HK$42.10 in 2025. This represents 7 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Hong Kong in USD?
The minimum wage in Hong Kong converts to approximately $5.37/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Hong Kong in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Hong Kong is approximately $2,613.50 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Hong Kong's minimum wage compare to the Asia average?
Hong Kong's minimum wage ranks #6 out of 34 countries with statutory minimum wages in Asia, placing it above the median for Asia.
From Insights
All Insights →In-depth wage analysis and data stories from wage.is Insights.