Show Me The Money
Hong Kong and PRC
Lawyers
UK Firms
| PQE | Hong Kong Dollars Per Month |
| NQ | 56K - 70k (average 65k) |
| 1 yr: | 60k - 78k (average 70k) |
| 2 yr: | 66k - 85k (average 78k) |
| 3 yr: | 70k – 92k (average 82k) |
| 4 yr: | 75k – 100k (average 90k) |
| 5 yr: | 85k – 120k (average 100k) |
| 6 yr: | 90k – 140k (average 110k) |
US Firms
| PQE | Hong Kong Dollars Per Month |
| NQ | 63k – 88k (average 78k) |
| 1 yr: | 72k – 95k (average 85k) |
| 2 yr: | 85k – 108k (average 92k) |
| 3 yr: | 90k – 120k (average 100k) |
| 4 yr: | 95k – 130k (average 120k) |
| 5 yr: | 106k – 142k (average 130k) |
| 6 yr: | 118k – 150k (average 142k) |
On the mainland, foreign lawyers are generally paid HK rates in Chinese Yuan. Note that local lawyers are paid a significantly lower salary.
Superannuation
Hong Kong has a compulsory superannuation scheme called the Mandatory Provident Fund which requires employees who earn over HK$4,000 per month and who have worked in Hong Kong for over 1 year to contribute 5% of their monthly income (to a maximum of HK$20,000 per month), and the employer must match it.
Relocation Assistance
Relocation assistance is provided. This could include any of the following:
- One way airfare for you and your family
- 2 to 4 weeks temporary accommodation upon arrival either at a serviced apartment or a hotel
- A shipping allowance which comprises reasonable costs of relocating your personal belongings against receipts
Taxation
Tax in Hong Kong is payable on salary, profits and property rental income on a sliding scale from 2% to 17%. For most lawyers, it is a flat rate of 15%. Some employers can structure your package to that your rental payments are taxed at a lower rate.
In the PRC, Income from wages and salaries are taxed at 9 progressive rates ranging from 5% to 45%.
Marketing
| Role | Experience | Salary Per Annum in Hong Kong Dollars |
| Head/Director of Marketing | 10+years | 900k-1.5mill |
| Marketing Communications Director | 10+years | 900k-1.5mill |
| Marketing Communications Manager | 4-9years | 500k-900k |
| PR/Media Communications Manager | 4-8years | 500k-1mill |
| Market Research Director | 10+years | 900k+ |
| Event Manager | 6+years | 450k-900k |
| Business Development Director | 10+years | 1mill+ |
| Business Development Manager | 8+years | 600k-800k |
Human Resources
| Role | Experience | Salary Per Annum In Hong Kong Dollars |
| HR Director/Business Partner | 9+years | 1.2+mill |
| HR Manager/Business Partner | 4+years | 800k-1.1mill |
| HR Officer | 0-5 years | 180k-360k |
| Compensation & Benefits Manager | 5+years | 700k-1.2mill |
| Compensation & Benefits Specialist | 3+years | 500k-800k |
| Head of Resourcing/Recruitment | 10+years | 1.3+mill |
| VP/Director Of Learning & Development | 6+years | 900k-1.5mill |
| Learning & Development Manager | 5+years | 600k-1mill |
Tokyo
Lawyers
| PQE | Yen Per Annum |
| NQ | 10 million – 16 million |
| 1 yr: | 12 million – 17 million |
| 2 yr: | 14 million – 19 million |
| 3 yr: | 15 million – 21 million |
| 4 yr: | 17 million – 22 million |
| 5 yr: | 19 million – 24 million |
| 6 yr: | 20 million – 26 million |
Superannuation
There is a compulsory superannuation scheme in Japan called Employees’ Pension Insurance whereby a contribution of around 8% of the employee’s salary must be made.
Relocation Assistance
Relocation assistance is provided. This could include any of the following:
- One way airfare for you and your family
- 2 to 4 weeks temporary accommodation upon arrival either at a serviced apartment or a hotel
- A shipping allowance which comprises reasonable costs of relocating your personal belongings against receipts
Taxation
| Tax Rate | Income Bracket |
| 10% | ¥1,000 – ¥3,000,000 |
| 20% | ¥3,300,001 – ¥9,000,000 |
| 30% | ¥9,000,001 – ¥18,000,000 |
| 37% | ¥18,000,000 |
Marketing
| Role | Experience | Salary Per Annum In Yen |
| Public Relations Manager | 4-5years | 8mill-13mill |
| Relationship Manager | 3+years | 8mill-14mill |
| Event Manager | 3+years | 5mill-9mill |
Human Resources
| Role | Experience | Salary Per Annum In Yen |
| HR Director | 10+years | 18mill-35mill |
| HR Manager | 6+years | 11mill-22mill |
| Compensation & Benefits Manager | 6+years | 11mill-16mill |
| Compensation & Benefits Specialist | 3+years | 6mill-11mill |
| Head of Learning & Development | 6+years | 13mill-20mill |
Singapore
Lawyers
| PQE | Sing Dollars Per Annum |
| NQ | 90k – 160k (average 120k) |
| 1 yr: | 100k – 215k (average 138k) |
| 2 yr: | 120k – 225k (average 150k) |
| 3 yr: | 130k – 245k (average 170k) |
| 4 yr: | 142k – 260k (average 188k) |
| 5 yr: | 155k – 275k (average 200k) |
| 6 yr: | 170k – 280k (average 220k) |
Superannuation
Singapore does not have a compulsory superannuation scheme however for Singapore permanent residents, there is a mandatory Central Provident Fund.
Relocation Assistance
Relocation assistance is provided. This could include any of the following:
- One way airfare for you and your family
- 2 to 4 weeks temporary accommodation upon arrival either at a serviced apartment or a hotel
- A shipping allowance which comprises reasonable costs of relocating your personal belongings against receipts
Taxation
There is a sliding scale with the highest tax rate being 20% for income S$320,000 and above.
Marketing
| Role | Experience | Salary Per Annum In Sing Dollars |
| Marketing Director | 6+years | 145k-220k+ |
| Marketing Manager | 4-5years | 80k-140k |
| Marketing Communications Manager | 4+years | 70k-180k |
| Public Relations Manager | 4-5years | 80k-130k |
| Business Development Manager | 4+years | 80k-200k+ |
Human Resources
| Role | Experience | Salary Per Annum In Sing Dollars |
| Head of HR | 10+years | 180k+ |
| HR Relationship Manager | 3+years | 40k-180k+ |
| Compensation & Benefits Manager | 3+years | 40k-180k+ |
| Head of Recruitment | 10+years | 130k+ |
| Recruitment Manager | 5+years | 80k-180k+ |
| Learning & Development Manager | 3+years | 80k-160k+ |
Bangkok
Lawyers
Due to the small number of international firms operating in Bangkok and hence only a small number of overseas lawyers, each practice tends to take its own approach to its remuneration and there are no market salary scales per se. Some firms however have been known to pay according to London rates. As it is much cheaper to live in Thailand, your salary will get you a great deal more for your money.
Relocation Assistance
Relocation assistance can be provided. This could include any of the following:
- One way airfare for you and your family
- 2 to 4 weeks temporary accommodation upon arrival either at a serviced apartment or a hotel
- A shipping allowance which comprises reasonable costs of relocating your personal belongings against receipts
Taxation
Taxation is on a progressive scale with 37% being the top tax rate for earnings of over 4 million Baht.
