Summary: Average salaries among automobile enterprises in China

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai) - According to figures collected by Gasgoo.com (Chinese), six of China's 23 listed automobile enterprises paid their presidents or general managers over one million yuan ($158,003) in salaries last year. BYD headed the list, followed by Jiangling, Geely, Beiqi Foton, Yutong Bus and GAC Group. SAIC led the list of sub-one million yuan executive salaries, followed by FAW Xiali, Lifan, Changan, King Long, ST Jinbei, JAC, SG Auto, FAW Car, Dongfeng, Zhong Tong Bus, Ankai, Sinotruck, Haima, Hualing Xingma and Zhonghang Heibao.

However, how does financial retribution for non-executive staff in different manufacturers vary? Beijing-based Puxin Consulting recently released a report comparing salaries offered by different automobile companies in 2011, the results of which are summarized below.

1. Average worker salaries of automobile enterprises by region

The automobile industry in China is now noticeably concentrated over six regions, with the three key ones being the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, the Bohai Economic Rim. The top paying domestic manufacturers have traditionally been situated in these three areas. In recent years, several Western enterprises have also begun entering the areas. Average salaries were the highest among automobile manufacturers in the Yangtze River Delta last year. Average salaries in the Pearl River Delta, which is home to several Japanese manufacturers, were six percent lower, while those in the Bohai Rim were eight percent lower.

Meanwhile, average salaries in Central China, Southwest China and Northeast China were 12 percent, 15 percent and 26 percent lower than those of the Yangtze River Delta, respectively. Although a relatively large disparity between these regions and East China still exists, they have all made strides last year. In particular, average salaries in Southwest China, which is focused around Chongqing and Chengdu, grew 13.5 percent from 2010 to 2011, far above the industry average.

2. Average salaries for assembly line workers by company nationality

In addition to regional variations, there exist significant pay discrepancies between foreign and domestic manufacturers. The average yearly salary for assembly line workers at US and European manufacturers was 62,354 yuan ($9,852.11), compared to 42,732 yuan ($6,751.78) and 31,433 yuan ($4,966.50) at Japanese-Korean and domestic Chinese manufacturers.

3. Average salaries for automotive engineers by seniority

There is a noticeable shortage of engineering talent in the Chinese automobile industry, something which individual manufacturers have taken notice of. Despite implementing long-term recruitment drives and offering high salaries, this shortage still continues. Senior automotive engineers in the country have salaries of 244,240 yuan ($38,591) on average. This is in stark contrast to overseas, where salaries for senior engineers have the potential to break the 500,000 yuan ($79,001) barrier. Mid-level engineers with five years of work experience or more earn 117,420 yuan ($18,553) on average, while junior engineers with two to three years of experience earn over 60,000 yuan ($9,480.17) on average.