China's state-backed jobs pay 80% more; private sector wages fall in real estate

China's official wage data for 2025 shows a widening gap between state-backed jobs and private sector employment. Workers in government-affiliated roles earn nearly twice as much as those in private companies, and some private sector wages are shrinking.

This data confirms a growing divide in China's labor market, where state-backed jobs offer significantly higher pay and stability than private sector roles. It means private companies will struggle to attract top talent in competitive sectors, while the government can continue to draw from a deep pool of skilled workers. The negative wage growth in private real estate and business services also signals ongoing economic stress in those sectors.