Shanghai topped list in income nationwide in the second half of last year, followed by Beijing and Shenzhen, while the domestic average income declined from the first six months of last year, according to a survey by the www.Chinahr.com, the Shanghai Morning Post reported today.

According to the survey, compared with the first half of last year, the average income around the country declined by 14.7 percent in the second half of 2003.

The drop of domestic salaries indicates that the competition in the Chinese labor market has become more intensive, said a survey analyst, adding that job-hunters should try to adapt themselves to the income changes.

The proficiency in English has a close relationship with incomes, the survey indicated.

Doing marketing and sales requires higher English proficiency, with the employees well up in English easier to get high salaries, the analyst said.

Communications industry is still the one offering highest pay, with average yearly salaries reaching 49,002 yuan (US$5,903), followed by medical equipment and financial industries, according to the survey.

The employees holding Master's Degree of Business Administration (MBA) can still have high salaries in the second half of last year, with those holding Master's Degree earning more than those holding PhD degrees.
 
(People's Daily  March 9, 2004)