Last updated: 18 September 2026.
Short answer: the Statutory Minimum Wage in Hong Kong is HK$43.1 per hour, effective from 1 May 2026. The previous rate was HK$42.1 per hour.
| Effective from | Statutory Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| 1 May 2026 | HK$43.1 per hour |
| Previous rate | HK$42.1 per hour |
Source: Labour Department, Statutory Minimum Wage.
Who does the minimum wage apply to?
The Statutory Minimum Wage applies to employees covered by the Employment Ordinance, whether they are employed full-time, part-time or on a casual basis, and regardless of whether they are paid hourly, daily, monthly or by piece rate. It applies to both local and imported workers.
The main exclusions are student interns and work experience students under specified arrangements, live-in domestic workers, and a small number of other defined categories.
How the calculation actually works
Minimum wage compliance is not checked hour by hour. It is checked over the wage period, normally a month. The test is:
Wages payable for the wage period ÷ total number of hours worked in that period ≥ HK$43.1
Two consequences employers get wrong:
- A monthly salary can breach the minimum wage. An employee on a fixed monthly salary who consistently works long hours can fall below HK$43.1 an hour without anyone noticing. The salary figure tells you nothing on its own.
- Hours worked includes more than rostered hours. Time during which the employee is in attendance at a place of employment, in accordance with the contract or at the employer’s direction, counts — whether or not work is actually provided. Training and travel in the course of employment can count too.
Worked example
An employee is paid HK$9,500 a month and works 200 hours in that month. HK$9,500 ÷ 200 = HK$47.50 an hour, which is compliant. If their hours rise to 230 in a busy month, the same salary gives HK$41.30 an hour — below the minimum. The employer owes additional remuneration for that wage period.
This is why hours records matter more than salary reviews for compliance.
Record keeping
Employers must keep records of the total number of hours worked by employees, where relevant to minimum wage compliance, as part of the wage and employment records required under the Employment Ordinance. Since 18 January 2026 accurate hours records carry extra weight for a second reason: the burden of proving that a contract is not continuous now sits with the employer. See our guide to the 468 continuous contract rule.
Which roles this actually affects
In practice the minimum wage binds in retail, food and beverage, cleaning, security, logistics and warehousing, and entry-level customer service. For professional and office roles in Hong Kong it is well below market and rarely the operative constraint — the binding constraints there are MPF, statutory holidays and leave. Our Hong Kong hiring guide covers the full cost stack, and our MPF guide covers the contribution side.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Hong Kong in 2026?
HK$43.1 per hour, effective 1 May 2026, up from HK$42.1 per hour.
Does the minimum wage apply to part-time workers?
Yes. It applies regardless of whether the employee is full-time, part-time or casual, and regardless of how they are paid.
Is the minimum wage calculated per hour or per month?
Compliance is assessed across the wage period. Total wages for the period divided by total hours worked must be at least the hourly rate.
Are domestic helpers covered by the Statutory Minimum Wage?
Live-in domestic workers are excluded from the SMW. Foreign domestic helpers are covered by a separate Minimum Allowable Wage.
Does the minimum wage apply to imported workers?
Yes. Imported workers employed under the Employment Ordinance are covered on the same basis as local employees.
Hiring hourly-paid staff in Hong Kong
FuturRecruit is a licensed Hong Kong employment agency (Employment Agency Licence 83821). We recruit hourly, shift-based and salaried roles for Hong Kong employers and cost them properly before the offer goes out. Talk to our team or see our recruitment services.
General information, not legal advice. Confirm the current rate and rules with the Labour Department.
Related guides
- The 468 Continuous Contract Rule — the test that changed on 18 January 2026
- Statutory Holidays in Hong Kong 2026 and 2027 — all 15 dates and the holiday pay rules
- MPF for Employers in Hong Kong — contribution rates and the end of offsetting
- How to Hire Staff in Hong Kong — the full process and cost of a Hong Kong hire
