Salary indices for managerial and professional employees for June 2015
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     According to the figures released today (October 27) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the average monthly salaries for middle-level managerial and professional employees for all the selected industry sections surveyed, as measured by the Nominal Salary Index (A), increased by 4.8% in June 2015 compared with a year earlier.

     After discounting the increase in consumer prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index (C), the Real Salary Index (A) increased by 2.7% in June 2015 over a year earlier.

     Analysed by industry section and on a year-on-year comparison in nominal terms, the average monthly salaries for middle-level managerial and professional employees increased in all the individual industry sections in June 2015, ranging from 4.0% to 5.9%.

     After discounting the increase in consumer prices, year-on-year increases in the Real Salary Index (A) were also observed in all the individual industry sections, ranging from 1.9% to 3.8%.

     The Salary Index (A) measures changes in salary rates for all middle-level managerial and professional employees of the companies covered by the survey. Another index, the Salary Index (B), which excludes newly recruited and promoted employees and covers only those middle-level managerial and professional employees remaining in the same occupation and in the same company in two consecutive years, is also compiled. Its main purpose is to measure salary changes due to general increment, meritorious performance and gain in seniority.

     Comparing June 2015 with June 2014, the overall Salary Index (B) increased by 5.7% in nominal terms or 3.6% in real terms. The different movement between the Salary Index (A) and the Salary Index (B) was mainly attributable to the lower pay usually received by new recruits (who were included only in Salary Index (A) but not in Salary Index (B)) as compared with existing employees. Hence, in general, increases in Salary Index (B) are greater than the corresponding increases in Salary Index (A).

     Statistics on the year-on-year percentage changes in the Nominal Salary Index (A), Real Salary Index (A), Nominal Salary Index (B) and Real Salary Index (B) for June 2015 in respect of the selected industry sections covered are shown in the tables attached.
 
     The survey findings also showed that in June 2015, 40% of the middle-level managerial and professional employees were entitled to guaranteed year-end bonus/payment and 74% to irregular profit-sharing bonuses. Moreover, all of them were entitled to fringe benefits of some kind, including paid annual leave, housing benefits, insurance protection and medical benefits.

Commentary

     A Government spokesman noted that the average salaries of middle-level managerial and professional employees saw further solid and across-the-board increases in June 2015, thanks to the persistently tight manpower situation in the higher-skilled segment amid Hong Kong's development towards a knowledge-based and high value-added economy. More notable salary gains were observed in the building and construction and related trades section, as well as among engineering and other technical support personnel. Taking all the selected industries and occupational groups together, average salary increases in June 2015 were both higher in nominal and real terms when compared to the previous year.

Other Information

     The salary indices are compiled annually based on the results of the Survey of Salaries and Employee Benefits - Managerial and Professional Employee (Excluding Top Management). This statistical survey has been conducted by the C&SD since 1984 to measure changes in salary rates for middle-level managerial and professional employees. A sample of about 260 companies was selected for the survey in 2015.

     For the purpose of the survey, salary rate is defined to include basic salary, cost-of-living allowance, guaranteed year-end extra bonus/payment, commission, as well as other regular and guaranteed bonuses and allowances.

     Details of the salary movement, average salary rate for major occupations, and statistics on employees' entitlement to various fringe benefits, together with a description of the survey methodology, are published in the "2015 Report of Salaries and Employee Benefits Statistics - Managerial and Professional Employees (Excluding Top Management)". The publication is available for downloading free of charge from the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp210.jsp?productCode=B1050010).

     Enquiries concerning the Salary Indices can be directed to the Wages and Labour Costs Statistics Section (2) of the C&SD at 2887 5230.

Ends/Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:31

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