First-Nine-Month Real Total Earnings Hit 11-Year High for Same Period
The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics released September payroll statistics on the 11th. Average regular earnings for all employees in the first nine months were 4萬9,152元, up 2.93% year-on-year; cumulative average total earnings rose 4.59% year-on-year, the highest increase for the same period in nearly 16 years. After adjusting for prices, average real regular earnings rose 0.98% year-on-year, the second-highest for the same period in nearly six years; average real total earnings rose 2.60% year-on-year, a renewed 11-year high for the same period, showing strong wage growth momentum.
Median for Full-Time Local Employees Hits Record High
For full-time local employees, median regular earnings in the first nine months reached 4萬1,120元, up 3.36% year-on-year, a record high since statistics began in 109年; median real regular earnings rose 1.40% year-on-year, also a record high since statistics began. For September alone, median regular earnings for all employees were 3萬9,730元, up 2.93% year-on-year; median regular earnings for full-time local employees were 4萬1,365元, up 3.22% year-on-year.
September Total Earnings Up 4.8% on Bonuses
In September, average regular earnings for all employees were 4萬9,477元, up 2.81% year-on-year; together with 1萬0,820元 in bonuses, overtime pay and other non-regular earnings, average total earnings were 6萬0,297元, up 4.80% year-on-year. Average total earnings for full-time local employees in September reached 6萬3,869元, up 4.84% year-on-year, reflecting increased corporate bonus and overtime payments driving monthly total earnings higher.
AI Demand and Minimum Wage Are Two Major Drivers
Deputy Director Tan Wen-ling of the Department of Census explained that the keys driving overall wage and bonus growth are continued strong global demand for AI and high-performance computing and other emerging technology applications, plus large cloud service providers building data centers, which boosted orders for domestic supply chains and manufacturers. With strong corporate operating performance, willingness to pay performance bonuses and year-end dividends rose sharply, further lifting total earnings; continued minimum wage hikes also effectively raised wages for grassroots employees.
Wage Gains Outpace Inflation; Overtime Hits Record High
On whether prices have eroded wage gains, Tan Wen-ling noted that despite some pressure on purchasing power from rising prices, nominal total earnings growth of 4.59% and regular earnings growth for the first nine months were both significantly above the inflation rate, with wage growth still covering price increases and workers' real purchasing power maintaining positive growth. For overtime hours, average overtime in manufacturing reached 17.9 hours in September, the highest for the same month in nearly 47 years; among electronic components manufacturing reached 28.3 hours, a renewed 47-year high for the same month, while computers, electronic products and optical goods manufacturing at 17.5 hours also hit a 23-year high for the same month.