Shenzhen, located in southern Guangdong province, is China’s third most economically significant city by various metrics.
Home to major tech companies like Huawei and Tencent, it boasts a young workforce and a strong emphasis on high-tech industries. However, these factors and unique regulations make hiring in Shenzhen distinct from other parts of China.
Here’s what you need to know:
At a Glance
| Category | Details |
| City Tier (Yicai Global) | First-Tier (Rank 3) |
| City Tier (Cloud River Urban Research Institute) | First-Tier (Rank 3) |
| Local Dialect | Mandarin Chinese |
| Population | 20 million+ |
| Airport | Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX) |
| Logistics Infrastructure | Port of Shenzhen (China’s third largest) |
A Note on the Greater Bay Area (GBA)
Shenzhen’s location within the GBA offers significant advantages for foreign companies, especially those involved in manufacturing and technology. The city’s proximity to a high concentration of suppliers helps streamline supply chains and boosts operational efficiency.
However, it’s important to note that if your company is based in Shenzhen, you can generally only pay social insurance contributions for Shenzhen residents. Employees commuting from nearby cities like Dongguan won’t be eligible for Shenzhen’s social insurance benefits. So, keep that in mind!
Key Industries in Shenzhen
The city is widely known as China’s Silicon Valley, and its tech credentials are impressive:
- Home to global giants like Huawei (telecommunications), Tencent (internet services), DJI (drones), Oppo (electronics), and Ping An (fintech).
- Shenzhen has topped patent filings among large- and medium-sized cities in China for 18 consecutive years, according to the Shenzhen Administration for Market Regulation.
Companies hiring in Shenzhen face steep competition for talent, driving up salaries as tech firms vie for skilled workers. The city’s innovation hub status and returning overseas talent pool demand globally competitive wages.
High Tech manufacturing is another key area. Shenzhen became China’s top producer of electric vehicles in 2024, surpassing Shanghai and Xi’an. Shenzhen-based BYD now outpaces Tesla in global electric vehicle sales.
Demographics
Shenzhen’s young, mobile workforce offers employers a deep talent pool, but high worker mobility means companies must offer competitive packages to retain staff.
Total Population
Shenzhen’s population is estimated at 17.5 million residents as of 2020, according to China’s national census. However, this figure varies depending on methodology:
- Administrative boundaries: The city’s official statistical yearbooks report over 13.3 million residents in 2024, reflecting registered hukou (household registration) holders and long-term migrants.
- De facto population: Including transient workers and unregistered migrants, estimates exceed 20 million.
Age Structure
Shenzhen’s population skews young due to its migrant-driven growth. The city has an average age of just 32.5 years, making it one of the youngest cities in China. The city also ranks as a top destination for Chinese overseas returnees, with Tencent and Huawei among the most desired employers.
Talent Profile
Shenzhen’s ranks sixth (489) among all Chinese mainland cities in English-speaking proficiency across China, according to EF’s ranking. However, there’s a massive proficiency gap between corporate professionals and retail/hospitality workers. If you’re visiting, you will still need a translation app for everyday life!
The city is well educated and is home to one-sixth of China’s doctorate recipients. This makes finding highly skilled professionals relatively easy, but they are more expensive compared to other parts of China!
Wages
Shenzhen has the third-highest average wage in China, just behind Shanghai and Beijing.
Shenzhen’s public sector workers earned an average annual salary of 171,854 yuan ($23,870) in 2023, according to the Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Statistics.
In contrast, private sector employees in Shenzhen earned significantly less, averaging 94,215 yuan ($13,085) annually, a 4.3% increase from 2022.
However, employees at Shenzhen’s tech giants like Huawei, Tencent and DJI can earn significantly more. Companies looking to recruit software engineers or hardware product managers should be prepared to offer generous salaries.
Minimum Wage
As of March 2025, Shenzhen’s monthly minimum wage is 2,520 yuan ($350), and the hourly rate for part-time workers is 23.7 yuan ($3.30). This represents the highest minimum wage in Guangdong province.
Important: The stated minimum wage excludes social insurance contributions and income tax. Even after these deductions, employees must still take home at least the minimum wage.
Working Hours & Overtime
Shenzhen mostly follows China’s national labor standards regarding working hours and overtime. However, the prevalence of “996” culture, in which employees work 12 hours a day for six days a week, has proven difficult to stamp out.
Employers in Shenzhen must generally pay:
- Regular overtime: 150% of normal wage
- Weekend work: 200% of normal wage
- Holiday work: 300% of normal wage
For more information about this, check out our article on overtime.
Leave Policies
Like the rest of China, first-time employees in Shenzhen must work for more than 12 consecutive months to qualify for paid annual leave. At that point you must give them five days per year.
The city mandates employees MUST take their paid leave each year.
While the enforcement of this regulation may be debatable, we recommend foreign companies adhere to the rules exactly as they are outlined. As you approach year-end, make sure everyone in your company has taken their annual leave to avoid potential fines!
Sick leave also follows national standards and ranges from 3-24 months, depending on work history and seniority.
Maternity leave is relatively generous for China with up to 178 days for mothers. Fathers get 15 days of paternity leave. Both parents get 10 days of parental leave each year before the child reaches 3 years old.
Paid Leave Requirements
Statutory holidays: Full regular wage
- Annual leave, marriage leave, maternity leave, bereavement leave: Full regular wage
- Sick leave/non-work injury: 60% of regular wage (minimum 80% of local minimum wage)
- Work-related injuries: Per work injury insurance regulations
- Personal leave: May be unpaid
- Hourly/piece-rate workers: Entitled to regular wage during statutory holidays
Full pay is also required if an employee needs to take time off for the following activities:
- Voting or being elected
- Attending official government meetings as a representative
- Serving as a jury member or witness
- Participating in union activities (for basic committee members)
Does Shenzhen offer a High Temperature Subsidy?
Yes! Shenzhen, as part of Guangdong province, mandates a High Temperature Subsidy for workers exposed to extreme heat.
Eligibility Criteria
Workers qualify for the subsidy if they are engaged in:
- Outdoor labour where temperatures exceed 35 degrees Celsius
- Indoor work where employers fail to reduce temperatures below 33 degrees Celsius
Subsidy Amount and Duration
- Monthly rate: 300 yuan per worker (13.8 yuan/day if prorated).
- Period: Annually from June 1 to Oct. 31.
- The subsidy must be listed separately on pay stubs and cannot be replaced by food, beverages, or other benefits.
Non-compliance may result in penalties ranging from 2,000–10,000 yuan and mandatory retroactive compensation for unpaid allowances.
