The average starting salary across 38 major cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, stood at approximately RMB 10,300 (USD 1,427) a month in the first quarter, reports China Daily, citing research from Zhaopin. The research showed Q1’s figure was an increase of 2.2% year-on-year, but a fall of 0.9% from the previous quarter.

Among the 38 cities, the starting salaries in some first-tier cities were much higher than those on offer in second-tier or third-tier cities, according to Zhaopin. Shanghai offered the highest salary for new recruits in the first quarter at RMB 13,617 (USD 1,920) a month, closely followed by Beijing with RMB 13,316 (USD 1,878) a month and Shenzhen at RMB 12,751 (USD 1,766).

Finance and technology-related jobs were the most attractive for job hunters because of the high salaries. Zhaopin said that job openings on the platform in the finance and investment sectors offered an average monthly salary of RMB 13,374 (USD 1,852) and vacancies in computer science, information technology and new energy sectors saw average starting salaries of around RMB 11,000 to 12,000 (USD 1,523 to 1,662) a month.

Zhaopin said China's economy is seeing overall recovery and growth, with some macroeconomic policies bringing good results and people's consumption demand in continuous recovery. This is prompting job seekers to adjust their salary expectations in accordance with market and industry changes.