The Shenzhen Municipal Labor and Social Security Bureau released its annual salary survey last week.

According to the report Senior mechanics' and electrical engineers' monthly salaries rose by 600 yuan (US$72) to 3000 yuan from 2003 to 2004 and, due to labor shortages, these salaries grew faster than any other profession.

As Shenzhen places more emphasis on the "culture industry," animators, painters, sculptors, athletes and coaches are also becoming more sought after.

However, things weren't nearly so rosy for people that play the stock market for a living as it continued in the doldrums.

Corporate directors, general managers, HR managers, financial executives and production managers were still the highest earners with an average of more than 10,000 yuan (US$1,207).

Meanwhile tailors, construction workers and waiters earned the least with an average salary below 1,000 yuan.     

(CRI July 4, 2005)