What is the minimum wage in Hong Kong in 2026?
The Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW) is HK$43.1 per hour with effect from 1 May 2026, according to the Labour Department (opens in a new tab). It applies under the Minimum Wage Ordinance (Cap. 608).
The government's 10 February 2026 announcement (opens in a new tab) says the Chief Executive in Council adopted the Minimum Wage Commission's recommendation to raise the rate from HK$42.1 to HK$43.1, an increase of HK$1.0 or 2.38 per cent.
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Current SMW rate | HK$43.1 per hour | Labour Department |
| Effective date | 1 May 2026 | Labour Department |
| Previous rate | HK$42.1 per hour | Government announcement, 10 Feb 2026 |
| Increase | HK$1.0 (2.38%) | Government announcement, 10 Feb 2026 |
| Hours-recording monthly cap | HK$17,600 (was HK$17,200) | Labour Department; government announcement |
Last updated: October 2026 · Last checked: 19 October 2026.
How is the Hong Kong minimum wage reviewed each year?
The rate is now reviewed every year under a formula, replacing the earlier review cycle. The Labour Department says the government has implemented a new annual review mechanism that adopts a formula to review the SMW rate.
For the 2026 rate, the Minimum Wage Commission applied the formula approved by the Chief Executive in Council and recommended HK$43.1. The amendment notice was gazetted on 20 February 2026 and tabled in the Legislative Council on 25 February 2026, with the new rate taking effect on 1 May 2026.
The Minimum Wage Commission is an independent statutory body set up under Part 3 of the Minimum Wage Ordinance. Its review reports are published on the Minimum Wage Commission website (opens in a new tab).
Who does the Statutory Minimum Wage cover?
The SMW covers almost every employee, whether paid by the month, week, day, hour or piece, full-time or part-time. The Labour Department's coverage guidance (opens in a new tab) says it applies whether or not the employee is on a continuous contract.
- Not covered: people to whom the Employment Ordinance does not apply, such as a family member living in the employer's home.
- Not covered: live-in domestic workers, meaning domestic workers who live free of charge in the employing household.
- Not covered: specified student interns, and work experience students during a period of exempt student employment (up to 59 days, for students under 26 at the start).
- Covered: employees with disabilities, who may choose a productivity assessment instead of the SMW rate.
How do I check that pay meets the minimum wage?
Start from the Labour Department's own pages rather than a payroll blog, because the rate changes every year. These steps use only official material:
- Open the Labour Department's Statutory Minimum Wage page and confirm the current rate (HK$43.1 per hour from 1 May 2026).
- Check the coverage guidance to see whether the employee falls into an excluded group.
- Use the reference guidelines and the minimum wage reference calculator linked from the Labour Department page for your wage period.
- Keep a record of total hours worked in each wage period, unless the employee's wages for that period are at least HK$17,600 a month.
- Re-check the page each spring, since the annual review can change the rate.
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