Key Facts: Taiwan vs China Wages
- Taiwan Minimum Wage
- NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD)
- China Minimum Wage
- ¥25/hr ($3.70 USD)
- Taiwan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NT$58,000 /mo ($1,864.95 USD)
- China Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ¥10,343 /mo ($1,528.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labor (MOL), Republic of China (Taiwan) (2026-02-24), Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS); regional rates verified via china-briefing.com aggregator (April 2026) (2026-05-04)
Taiwan
China
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Taiwan is 65% higher than in China when converted to USD. Average salaries are higher in Taiwan at $1,865/mo compared to $1,529/mo in China.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Taiwan | China |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | NT$190 $6.11 | ¥25 $3.70 |
| Minimum wage /mo | NT$28,590 $919.29 | ¥2,740 $405.02 |
| Minimum wage /yr | NT$343,080 $11,031.51 | ¥32,880 $4,860.24 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | NT$58,000 /mo $1,864.95 | ¥10,343 /mo $1,528.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | NT$50,500 /mo $1,623.79 | ¥8,274 /mo $1,223.04 |
| Median individual income /yr | NT$546,000 /yr $17,556.27 | ¥34,707 /yr $5,130.30 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Taiwan is higher.
Work Week
- Taiwan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.34x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Two mandatory rest days per week (one fixed, one flexible). Overtime: first 2 hrs at 1.34x, next 2 hrs at 1.67x. Monthly overtime cap of 46 hours (may be extended to 54 hours with union/labour-management agreement, max 138 hrs/3 months).
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from China to Taiwan would see a 65% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from China's perspective: China vs Taiwan
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Taiwan or China?
In Taiwan, the minimum wage is NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD). In China, it is ¥25/hr ($3.70 USD). Taiwan has the higher rate by 65% 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 more does the average worker earn in Taiwan compared to China?
The average gross salary in Taiwan is NT$58,000/mo ($1,864.95 USD), compared to ¥10,343/mo ($1,528.88 USD) in China. In USD terms, workers in Taiwan earn approximately 22% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Taiwan and China is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Taiwan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in China.
How do work hours compare between Taiwan and China?
Both Taiwan 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.