Middle-level managers and professionals enjoyed a 3.4 per cent increase in their average monthly salary in June compared with a year ago, Census and Statistics Department data show.

Discounting the effects of inflation, the real increase was 1.5 per cent, with the finance and insurance sector recording the largest rise of 2.1 per cent. This was followed by the wholesale, retail and trading sector at 2 per cent and the building and construction industry with 0.9 per cent.

However, the manufacturing and electricity and gas sector suffered a 0.9 per cent decline.