Comparing monthly and annual salary in Hong Kong job offers
Separate fixed pay, guaranteed payments and discretionary bonuses.
Compare the same period
Confirm the number of fixed payments per year. Multiply monthly pay by the number of fixed payments stated in the contract to compare annual fixed pay; do not assume every job includes an extra month’s salary.
Separate fixed and variable amounts
Check how bonuses, commission and allowances are calculated and paid. List guaranteed payments, performance-dependent bonuses and one-off sign-on payments separately. Ask the employer to clarify any missing terms.
Compare the working conditions
Consider hours, leave, medical benefits, commuting costs and other conditions relevant to you. Before accepting, check how the contract records fixed and variable compensation and keep a written copy.
Illustrative example: 12 payments versus a guaranteed 13th
Suppose offer A pays HK$30,000 monthly for 12 fixed payments: HK$360,000 a year. Offer B pays HK$28,000 monthly for 13 contractually guaranteed payments: HK$364,000 a year. If the 13th payment is discretionary, do not count it as guaranteed; list performance and sign-on bonuses separately. Check written conditions, eligibility and start date.