Key facts
- Hong Kong wages rose 3.4% year-on-year in June.
- Real wages increased by 1.6% year-on-year in June.
- The government expects continued wage growth due to economic expansion and labor demand.
- Approximately 62% of companies reported higher average wage rates in June 2026 compared to the previous year.
- The median monthly wage in May-June 2025 was $21,200, up 3.5% from the prior year.
- The median hourly wage in May-June 2025 was $85.7, up 3.4% from the prior year.
Hong Kong's wages saw a nominal increase of 3.4% year-on-year in June, with real wages growing by 1.6% after accounting for inflation, according to data released by the Census and Statistics Department. The government anticipates that this positive trend in wage growth will continue, supported by ongoing economic expansion and sustained labor demand.
The figures indicate that the nominal wage rise was broadly distributed across various industries. In June 2026, approximately 62% of companies reported an increase in their average wage rates compared to the previous year, while 33% saw a decrease, and 5% remained unchanged. The nominal average salary index for employees across all surveyed industry sectors rose by 3.5% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, with real average salaries increasing by 1.6% over the same period.
Further details from a May-June 2025 survey showed a median monthly wage of $21,200, a 3.5% increase from the prior year, and a median hourly wage of $85.7, up 3.4% from May-June 2024. These statistics are compiled from the Annual Earnings and Hours Survey and are used for labor-related studies and analyses for the Statutory Minimum Wage.
Separately, stronger-than-expected global demand for artificial intelligence-related products has prompted the Trade Development Council to sharply raise its full-year forecast for Hong Kong export growth in 2026 to as much as 47 per cent. This latest revision follows the council's June increase of its midyear forecast to 20% growth, from an earlier estimate of 8% to 9%.