Over a third of Hong Kong tech workers expect a pay rise of at least 10pc but city’s employers only willing to give 3pc: survey

A large pay expectations gap has emerged between Hong Kong tech workers and employers, with around 35 per cent of workers in the city expecting a pay rise of at least 10 per cent in the next 12 months if they stay with their current employer.

This contrasts with 41 per cent of Hong Kong employers who are only willing to give employees a salary increase of up to 3 per cent, according to a recent survey conducted by recruitment agency Hays.

Twelve per cent of Hong Kong tech workers looking for a new job expect a pay increase of at least 30 per cent, and 32 per cent expect a pay rise of 20 to 30 per cent, according to the report, which surveyed more than 1,300 people across the mainland and Hong Kong (with a sample size of 260 in the city).

“Which means there is a huge gap right there, and probably a factor behind all the [staff] turnover happening right now,” said Sue Wei, managing director at Hays in Hong Kong, at a press briefing on Monday.

On the flip side, 82 per cent of Hong Kong respondents indicated they are “generally satisfied” with their current remuneration package, according to the 2022 Hays Greater China Technology Salary Guide.