On October 8, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security published the minimum wage standards for all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across the country, with data current as of October 1, 2026.

In terms of the monthly minimum wage, Shanghai ranks first nationwide with a standard of 2,740 yuan. For the hourly minimum wage, Beijing leads the country with a standard of 27.7 yuan.

What exactly is the minimum wage standard?

The minimum wage standard refers to the lowest labor remuneration that an employer is legally required to pay when a worker has provided normal labor during statutory working hours or during the working hours agreed upon in a legally signed labor contract. It generally takes two forms: the monthly minimum wage standard and the hourly minimum wage standard.

If a worker has provided normal labor during statutory working hours or the working hours stipulated in a legally signed labor contract, and the employer pays wages below the locally published minimum wage standard, such conduct constitutes a legal violation. If a worker fails to provide normal labor during statutory working hours or the hours agreed upon in a legally signed labor contract due to personal reasons, the minimum wage standard payment provisions do not apply to that worker's wages.

Does the minimum wage standard include social insurance contributions and overtime pay?

According to the Provisions on Minimum Wages, when a worker provides normal labor, the wages payable by the employer, after excluding the following items, must not fall below the local minimum wage standard: (1) wages for extended working hours; (2) allowances for special working environments and conditions such as middle shifts, night shifts, high temperatures, low temperatures, underground work, and toxic or harmful conditions; (3) welfare benefits for workers as stipulated by laws, regulations, and national rules.

Many regions stipulate that the minimum wage standard includes expenses paid by the worker personally for basic pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, and housing provident fund contributions.

How can workers defend their rights if an employer violates the regulations?

If an employer violates the minimum wage standard payment regulations, workers may report and complain to the local human resources and social security department, or apply for mediation, arbitration, or file a lawsuit in accordance with the law.