The National Bureau of Statistics recently released the average annual salary of urban unit employees in 2024. The latest data shows that in 2024, the average annual salary of non-private urban and urban non-private units nationwide was 124,110 yuan, an increase of 3,412 yuan over the previous year, a nominal increase of 2.8%, and a 2.6% increase in comparable terms; the average annual salary of private urban and urban employees nationwide was 69,476 yuan, an increase of 1,136 yuan over the previous year, a nominal increase of 1.7%, and a 4% increase in comparable terms.

The average annual salary of employees employed in enterprises above a certain scale has continued to grow, and the gap between jobs has narrowed. In 2024, the average annual salary of employees in large-scale enterprises was 102,452 yuan, an increase of 4,356 yuan over the previous year, a nominal increase of 4.4%, and a 4.2% increase in comparable terms. By position, middle-level and above management personnel were 203,014 yuan, an increase of 2.4%; professional and technical personnel were 148,046 yuan, an increase of 5%; service personnel and relevant personnel were 93,189 yuan, an increase of 4.1%; social production service and life service personnel were 77,584 yuan, an increase of 3.1%; production and manufacturing and related personnel were 78,561 yuan, an increase of 4.1%. Wang Pingping, director of the Population and Employment Statistics Department of the National Bureau of Statistics, said that among the five types of positions, the ratio of the two positions with the highest and lowest average wages is 2.62, a decrease of 0.02 from the previous year.

"In 2024, the wage level among industries will be generally stable." Wang Pingping said that by industry category, the top three industries with the annual average wage level of urban non-private units and private units are still information transmission, software and information technology services, finance, scientific research and technical services; industries with low annual average wage levels are mainly concentrated in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery, accommodation and catering industries, water conservancy, environment and public facilities management, as well as residents' services, repairs and other services, etc. Judging from the changes in the ranking, the average annual salary of non-private units in 19 industries was the same as in the previous year in 19 industries; the average annual salary of cultural, sports and entertainment industries in non-private units decreased by 3 places, and the transportation, warehousing and postal industries increased by 2 places; the average annual salary of electricity, heat, gas and water production and supply industries decreased by 2 places, and the wholesale and retail industries increased by 2 places.

By region, the ratio of the average salary to the lowest among the five categories of jobs in the eastern region is 2.92, a decrease of 0.06 from the previous year; the lowest in the central region is 2.24, a decrease of 0.04 from the previous year. By industry category, the industries with the highest and lowest average wages of the five categories of jobs have narrowed significantly are electricity, heat, gas and water production and supply industries, information transmission, software and information technology services, and education, which have narrowed by 0.32, 0.29 and 0.24 respectively compared with the previous year.

"The wages here refer to all labor remuneration, including the actual wages, bonuses, subsidies, etc. of employed people receive from the unit, as well as personal income tax, social insurance funds and housing provident fund withheld from the unit." Wang Pingping analyzed that the comparable annual average wage growth rate of urban private units is different from the nominal growth rate, mainly because after the fifth national economic census, the coverage of labor wage statistics is more complete. The fifth national economic census adopted a "carpet-style" inventory to ensure that the census units are not heavy or missed. After the census, more small and micro enterprises were included in the labor wage statistics scope. The wage levels of employees in these units are relatively low, which has a certain impact on the average wage level and nominal growth rate of urban private units.

"It should be noted that average wages are an important statistical indicator that reflects the overall wage situation and changes of a country, region, industry, and position. The growth and change of average wages are affected by multiple factors, including external factors such as macro policies and social and economic environment, as well as internal factors such as unit restructuring and employment structure changes. Generally speaking, individual wage levels and growth rates may be significantly different from the national average and growth rates. This requires a comprehensive analysis from the industry, region, unit type, position and individual specific situations, and treat them rationally." Wang Pingping said.