$172,000 perk for top job

The holder of the top post in the SAR's Beijing office will pocket at most $172,549 in allowances on top of a $181,050 monthly salary.

Rental allowance will range from $104,611 to $116,235, depending on a spouse and children.

An additional monthly special posting allowance of $56,314 is also up for grabs.

Junior staff are entitled to a rent allowance ranging from $19,372 to $21,542, plus a posting allowance of $21,118.

The annual allowance for all staff will cost $12.5 million, compared to the salary of $10.6 million.

The rent allowance is based on research by the Government Property Agency.