What do HKers earn?

I've talked about how it isn't a taboo to talk about salaries in China but HK being a more modern and westernised society, it is taboo to talk about one's salary. However, just because we don't talk about it, that doesn't mean we don't think about what others earn.

A few weeks ago, I was at the gym working out when one of the gym attendants asked me if I was of mixed blood heritage. It was the first time I've ever been asked that question so I struck up a conversation with the girl. She asked me that question because my name is written in English on my resident card and other local HKers just have an anglicised version of their Chinese name, like Chang Dao Yan (my Chinese name). After this topic of discussion she moved onto asking me what I did and I told her and the magic question popped up, "how much do you make." I've talked about this topic numerous times in mainland China so it doesn't faze me any more. I told her and then I asked her what she made.

Working 45 hours a week at the gym, she makes $6500 a month! That shocked me. Granted, she is a high school graduate with no tertiary education but to be making approx $800 US working full time is an injustice in my opinion, especially living in a city like HK which can be very expensive. I did some further research and found the market largely sets wages and prices which would explain why there is no minimum wage for local employees! Although price controls are imposed on rent for some residential properties, public transport, and electricity.

Ironically, the HK government does have a minimum wage on imported workers, which includes foreign domestic helpers who mainly hail from southeast Asian countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The domestic helper minimum wage is set at $3700 HK and they get free board and meals plus return air tickets. Anyway, I'll write more about these unsung pillars of the HK community in a future post.

The way some NETs and local teachers are treated by their schools, it wouldn't take one long to figure out that the unions in HK have no teeth and strikes are foreign here. There are no rules for or against collective bargaining, however. Just don't think you can get a job in HK and slack off because the union has your back.

Among these graduates, nursing graduates were fully employed and their average salary increased by 14.1 per cent to $20,366; whilst the salary for hospitality/tourism sector also increased by 11 per cent to $10,276 per month. The average monthly salary of all employed first-degree graduates is $9,644.

In this week's South China Morning Post, there was a "Salary Scale" table in the business section and I thought I'd share with you some of the salaries locals make for those who are interested. All salaries in HK$ per month.

Hospitality Industry:
Waiter/Waitress (2-3 years experience) $9,500-$10,800
Hotel reservation manager (2-3 years experience) $15,000-$21,000
Restaurant manager (3-5 years experience) $16,500-$28,000

Office and Administration:
Data entry (0-2 years exp) $4,800 to $8,500
Receiptionist (0-1 years exp) $5,000-12,000
Secretary (0-3 years exp) $7,000-$13,000
Executive secretary (8+ years exp) $16,000-$40,000
Office/Administrative Manager (6+ years exp) $20,000-$60,000

Insurance industry
Sales/business:
Sales/Business trainee (0-1 years exp) $5,000-$7,000 + commission
Telemarketer (1-2 years exp) $8,000-$10,000 + commission
Senior sales manager (5-6 years exp) $20,000-$45,000 + commission

Business management:
Sales manager (6-8 years exp) $18,000-$40,000 (est. salary+commission)
Unit manager (8-10 years exp) $25,000-$30,000 (est. salary+commission)
Sr Sales manager (12-15 years exp) $40,000-$80,000 (est. salary+commission)

Claims/Policy Servicing:
Officer (2-4 years exp) $9,000-$15,000
Manager (5-6 years exp) $15,000-$25,000
Actuary (5-8 years exp) $20,000-$30,000
Claims manager (8-10 years exp) $40,000+
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So how do these wages compare with similiar positions in your country? Keep in mind the low taxes HKers pay but they do get hit on high housing fees. No wonder almost half of HKers live in public housing and many are on waiting lists to move into public housing for years.

For those of you who are interested in teaching English here in HK, there's good news and bad news. The good news is there are lots of job opportunities. The bad news is unless you have an HK work permit they probably won't hire you and the wages at the private English language centres is very low. Wages of around $100HK per hour is common for these schools and some teachers work more than 40 hours a week to make a 'livable' expat wage. Some schools will offer you a work permit if you are qualified (you must have a university degree.

Some expats, although I'm not suggesting you do this, work illegally in HK. Most westerners get a 90 day visa free visit and find teaching work during their stay. Before their visit limitation is up, they head to Macau or mainland China to 'exit' HK and then come back in for another 90 days. It's a clever idea if you manage not to be caught. HK customs and immigration folks are pretty clever, they'll nail you sooner or later if you attempt this.

If you're wondering, my primary school NET position pays between $16,000-$30,000 a month (excluding a special housing allowance). Secondary school NETs get paid quite a bit more but there are definitely a lot more job responsibilities and related stress. The principal at the boy's school I work at makes between $49,000-59,000 a month (excluding fringe benefits and allowances). I know how much he makes because is leaving his position and there was an ad in a local paper for the job vacancy.

To look for jobs in HK, go to Jobs DB or the Classified Post for job postings.