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White-collar Workers' Earnings Under Microscope

A Beijing Statistics Bureau survey of the incomes of the city's white-collar workers has thrown up some interesting facts, according to Beijing Youth Daily. Respondents had to have an annual family income of at least 50,000 yuan. The survey showed that, last year, the average monthly income of this group was 7,444 yuan, with the highest earner taking home 14,984 yuan and the lowest 3,500 yuan.

The survey also showed that 90.5 percent of this group were aged under 50 years. The under-30s made up 24.9 percent; the 30-40s accounted for 30.6 percent; and 40-50s 35 percent. The average monthly income of the 30-40s was 8,264 yuan, the highest amount in all age groups.

People with graduate or higher degrees earned the highest average monthly salary, 11,731 yuan. Among all respondents to the survey, 73 percent were males with an average monthly income of 7,707 yuan -- 993 yuan higher than the average for female white-collar workers, and even though there was virtually no difference between the men's and women's educational qualifications and professional skills.

The managers of private enterprises topped the list of high earners among the 10 professions which pay the biggest salaries, followed by legal professionals, stock-company managers, tour guides, actors and actresses, stock traders, individual entrepreneurs, movie producers, teachers, and freelance professional people.