(Yicai Global) July 5 -- Shanghai has widened its advantage over other Chinese cities as the eastern metropolis hiked its lowest possible pay this month.

The Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau advised the monthly sum to CNY2,690 (USD372), up by CNY100 (USD14), on July 1, as the city retained its position as China's best labor market in this regard. Moreover, workers now make at least CNY24 (USD3.30) per hour, up from CNY23.

In 15 of China's 31 provincial-level regions, employees in the highest tier of minimum pay earn CNY2,000 (USD277) or above, according to data issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security this week. Some of those cities and provinces include Beijing, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hebei, Shaanxi, and Tianjin. However, some of these regions still pay less than CNY2,000 to lower-tier workers.

China's economic development and residents’ income varies prominently based on region, Ding Changfa, associate professor at Xiamen University, said to Yicai Global. The cost of living in large cities and small counties differs greatly, thus leading to different salary standards , Ding said, adding that for example in Fujian province, the city of Xiamen has the highest minimum pay but also relatively high housing prices and daily living costs.

This year, many Chinese regions have improved their labor conditions. The provinces of Hebei, Shanxi, Guizhou, Qinghai, Anhui, and Shaanxi have revised their minimum pay this year. For example, Anhui province hiked its first tier of minimum pay to exceed CNY2,000 for the first time in March.

Editors: Shi Yi, Emmi Laine