The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security recently 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 monthly minimum wage standards, Shanghai ranks first nationwide with a standard of 2,740 yuan. For hourly minimum wage standards, Beijing leads the country with a rate of 27.7 yuan. Hebei's monthly minimum wage standards are set at three tiers: 2,380 yuan, 2,230 yuan, and 2,080 yuan.

What exactly is a minimum wage standard?

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

If a worker has provided normal labor within statutory working hours or within the working hours stipulated in a legally signed labor contract, and the employer pays the worker a wage below the locally published minimum wage standard, such an act constitutes a legal violation.

If a worker fails to provide normal labor during statutory working hours or during the working hours agreed upon in a legally signed labor contract due to personal reasons, then 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 an employer pays to the worker must not fall below the local minimum wage standard after deducting the following items: (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 hazardous conditions; and (3) welfare benefits for workers as stipulated by laws, regulations, and national provisions.

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

How can workers protect 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.