A person working as a Waiter / Waitress in China typically earns around 9,190 CNY per month. Salaries range from 4,500 CNY (lowest) to 14,300 CNY (highest).
This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Waiter / Waitress salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Waiter / Waitress salaries in China range from 4,500 CNY per month (minimum salary) to 14,300 CNY per month (maximum salary).
The median salary is 9,370 CNY per month, which means that half (50%) of people working as Waiter / Waitress(s) are earning less than 9,370 CNY while the other half are earning more than 9,370 CNY. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of Waiter / Waitress(s) are earning less than 6,250 CNY while 75% of them are earning more than 6,250 CNY. Also from the diagram, 75% of Waiter / Waitress(s) are earning less than 12,100 CNY while 25% are earning more than 12,100 CNY.
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher your wage. We broke down Waiter / Waitress salaries by experience level and this is what we found.
A Waiter / Waitress with less than two years of experience makes approximately 5,340 CNY per month.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 6,860 CNY per month, 29% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 9,470 CNY per month, 38% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, Waiter / Waitress(s) whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 11,700 CNY per month, 24% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 12,600 CNY per month, 7% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 13,400 CNY per month, 7% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
0 - 2 Years | 5,340 CNY | |
2 - 5 Years | +29% | 6,860 CNY |
5 - 10 Years | +38% | 9,470 CNY |
10 - 15 Years | +24% | 11,700 CNY |
15 - 20 Years | +7% | 12,600 CNY |
20+ Years | +7% | 13,400 CNY |
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down Waiter / Waitress salaries by education level in order to make a comparison.
When the education level is High School, the average salary of a Waiter / Waitress is 6,860 CNY per month.
While someone with a Certificate or Diploma gets a salary of 9,810 CNY per month, 43% more than someone having a High School degree.
A Bachelor's Degree gets its holder an average salary of 13,600 CNY per month, 38% more than someone with a Certificate or Diploma.
High School | 6,860 CNY | |
Certificate or Diploma | +43% | 9,810 CNY |
Bachelor's Degree | +38% | 13,600 CNY |
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male Waiter / Waitress employees in China earn 8% less than their female counterparts on average.
Male | 8,760 CNY | |
Female | +9% | 9,500 CNY |
Waiter / Waitress(s) in China are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 10% every 15 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 9% granted to employees every 15 months.
The term 'Annual Salary Increase' usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rarely that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 ÷ Increase Frequency
Banking | 8% | |
Energy | 7% | |
Information Technology | 6% | |
Healthcare | 5% | |
Travel | 4% | |
Construction | 3% | |
Education | 2% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in China for the year 2020. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
A Waiter / Waitress is considered to be a low bonus-based job due to the generally limited involvement in direct revenue generation, with exceptions of course. The people who get the highest bonuses are usually somehow involved in the revenue generation cycle.
69% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 31% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 0% to 4% of their annual salary.
Received Bonus | 31% | |
No Bonus | 69% |
The most standard form of bonus where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
The main two types of jobs | |
Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
The average salary for Waiter / Waitress is 53% less than that of Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering. Also, Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering salaries are 33% less than those of All Jobs.
Job Title | Average Salary |
All Rounder | 11,400 CNY | ![]() |
Assistant Executive Housekeeper | 8,930 CNY | ![]() |
Assistant Food and Beverage Director | 36,700 CNY | ![]() |
Assistant Hospitality Manager | 40,000 CNY | ![]() |
Assistant Storekeeper | 7,940 CNY | ![]() |
Assistant Tour Manager | 19,200 CNY | ![]() |
Baker and Pastrycook | 10,300 CNY | ![]() |
Bakery Manager | 21,900 CNY | ![]() |
Bakery Superintendent | 14,000 CNY | ![]() |
Banquet Manager | 15,600 CNY | ![]() |
Banquet Server | 9,260 CNY | ![]() |
Bar Attendant | 9,240 CNY | ![]() |
Bar Manager | 20,100 CNY | ![]() |
Bar Supervisor | 13,100 CNY | ![]() |
Barista | 11,700 CNY | ![]() |
Bartender | 11,400 CNY | ![]() |
Bellman | 8,750 CNY | ![]() |
Beverage Manager | 24,300 CNY | ![]() |
Bistro Attendant | 9,850 CNY | ![]() |
Buffet Chef | 16,700 CNY | ![]() |
Buffet Host | 9,330 CNY | ![]() |
Buffet Manager | 21,800 CNY | ![]() |
Butcher and Slaughterer | 7,720 CNY | ![]() |
Cafeteria Manager | 18,400 CNY | ![]() |
Cake Decorator | 11,200 CNY | ![]() |
Casino Shift Manager | 31,800 CNY | ![]() |
Chain Store Customer Support | 15,900 CNY | ![]() |
Chef | 18,400 CNY | ![]() |
Club Manager | 34,200 CNY | ![]() |
Cluster Director | 42,400 CNY | ![]() |
Cluster Revenue Manager | 34,700 CNY | ![]() |
Cocktail Server | 9,470 CNY | ![]() |
Coffee Shop Manager | 31,400 CNY | ![]() |
Concierge | 9,370 CNY | ![]() |
Confectionery Baker | 11,000 CNY | ![]() |
Conference Services Manager | 20,100 CNY | ![]() |
Cook | 16,300 CNY | ![]() |
Corporate Sous Chef | 25,000 CNY | ![]() |
Corporate Travel Consultant | 26,200 CNY | ![]() |
Croupier | 12,700 CNY | ![]() |
Culinary Assistant | 8,350 CNY | ![]() |
Culinary Associate | 8,720 CNY | ![]() |
Dietary Aide | 18,500 CNY | ![]() |
Dining Room Supervisor | 16,000 CNY | ![]() |
Dishwasher | 7,500 CNY | ![]() |
Duty Manager | 22,500 CNY | ![]() |
Events Coordinator | 13,800 CNY | ![]() |
Executive Chef | 21,000 CNY | ![]() |
Executive Pastry Chef | 16,700 CNY | ![]() |
Fast Food Cook | 14,500 CNY | ![]() |
Fast Food Shift Supervisor | 15,200 CNY | ![]() |
Fine Dining Cook | 26,800 CNY | ![]() |
Fine Dining Restaurant Chef | 27,400 CNY | ![]() |
Fleet Manager | 44,000 CNY | ![]() |
Food and Beverage Manager | 36,000 CNY | ![]() |
Food Consultant | 28,000 CNY | ![]() |
Food Safety Coordinator | 21,600 CNY | ![]() |
Food Server | 9,150 CNY | ![]() |
Food Service Director | 36,000 CNY | ![]() |
Food Service Manager | 36,000 CNY | ![]() |
Food Service Sales | 22,000 CNY | ![]() |
Food Service Worker | 9,190 CNY | ![]() |
Front Desk Agent | 10,900 CNY | ![]() |
Front Office Manager | 20,200 CNY | ![]() |
Guest Service Executive | 32,000 CNY | ![]() |
Guest Service Representative | 12,600 CNY | ![]() |
Head Concierge | 13,700 CNY | ![]() |
Hospitality Director | 56,000 CNY | ![]() |
Hostess / Host | 11,000 CNY | ![]() |
Hotel Desk Clerk | 10,500 CNY | ![]() |
Hotel Maid | 7,500 CNY | ![]() |
Hotel Manager | 51,000 CNY | ![]() |
Hotel Sales Manager | 40,200 CNY | ![]() |
Hotel Service Supervisor | 30,000 CNY | ![]() |
Hotel Staff | 10,300 CNY | ![]() |
Inventory Coordinator | 12,200 CNY | ![]() |
Kitchen Manager | 17,200 CNY | ![]() |
Kitchen Staff | 9,890 CNY | ![]() |
Kitchen Supervisor | 16,400 CNY | ![]() |
Line Cook | 17,200 CNY | ![]() |
Luggage Porter | 7,510 CNY | ![]() |
Motel Manager | 31,000 CNY | ![]() |
Pastrycooking and Baking Assistant | 9,990 CNY | ![]() |
Production Operator | 14,900 CNY | ![]() |
Quality, Health and Safety Coordinator | 17,300 CNY | ![]() |
Receptionist | 10,500 CNY | ![]() |
Regional Restaurant Manager | 43,100 CNY | ![]() |
Restaurant Manager | 34,700 CNY | ![]() |
Room Reservations Manager | 35,900 CNY | ![]() |
Room Service Manager | 32,200 CNY | ![]() |
Sous Chef | 21,000 CNY | ![]() |
Supervisor of Food Services | 24,800 CNY | ![]() |
Tour Consultant | 26,700 CNY | ![]() |
Travel Agent | 17,600 CNY | ![]() |
Travel Consultant | 26,500 CNY | ![]() |
Waiter / Waitress | 9,190 CNY | ![]() |
City | Average Salary |
Beijing | 9,800 CNY |
Changchun | 8,960 CNY |
Changsha | 8,310 CNY |
Chengdu | 9,830 CNY |
Chongqing | 10,200 CNY |
Dalian | 8,660 CNY |
Dongguan | 8,170 CNY |
Foshan | 8,230 CNY |
Fuzhou | 8,360 CNY |
Guangzhou | 10,400 CNY |
Hangzhou | 9,810 CNY |
Harbin | 9,310 CNY |
Jinan | 9,900 CNY |
Kunming | 8,550 CNY |
Nanjing | 9,690 CNY |
Qingdao | 8,710 CNY |
Quanzhou | 8,190 CNY |
Shanghai | 10,200 CNY |
Shantou | 9,270 CNY |
Shenyang | 8,950 CNY |
Shenzhen | 9,680 CNY |
Suzhou | 8,720 CNY |
Tianjin | 9,610 CNY |
Wenzhou | 8,820 CNY |
Wuhan | 10,500 CNY |
Wuxi | 8,020 CNY |
Xi an | 9,790 CNY |
Xiamen | 8,280 CNY |
Zhengzhou | 8,250 CNY |
State | Average Salary |
Anhui | 9,620 CNY |
Beijing | 8,060 CNY |
Chongqing | 8,760 CNY |
Fujian | 9,470 CNY |
Gansu | 8,860 CNY |
Guangdong | 10,100 CNY |
Guangxi | 9,370 CNY |
Guizhou | 8,720 CNY |
Hainan | 8,040 CNY |
Hebei | 10,300 CNY |
Heilongjiang | 9,360 CNY |
Henan | 9,930 CNY |
Hubei | 9,570 CNY |
Hunan | 9,920 CNY |
Jiangsu | 10,300 CNY |
Jiangxi | 9,690 CNY |
Jilin | 8,990 CNY |
Liaoning | 8,980 CNY |
Nei Monggol | 8,240 CNY |
Ningxia | 7,840 CNY |
Qinghai | 7,880 CNY |
Shaanxi | 9,340 CNY |
Shandong | 10,900 CNY |
Shanghai | 8,030 CNY |
Shanxi | 8,710 CNY |
Sichuan | 10,200 CNY |
Tianjin | 8,180 CNY |
Xinjiang Uygur | 8,500 CNY |
Xizang [Tibet] | 8,070 CNY |
Yunnan | 9,190 CNY |
Zhejiang | 9,540 CNY |
Where can you get paid more, working for a private company or for the government? Public sector employees in China earn 6% more than their private sector counterparts on average across all sectors.
Private Sector | 28,500 CNY | |
Public Sector | +6% | 30,100 CNY |