(Yicai) Jan. 24 -- China’s 400-million-strong blue-collar workforce, which is mainly employed in manufacturing, construction, services, and new types of employment, have an average monthly salary of CNY6,043 (USD850), according to a new report.

Incomes for blue-collar workers each month have soared by 126 percent since 2012 thanks to changes in China's industrial structure, the report by a research center of the Capital University of Economics and Business said yesterday.

Salaries for workers in the new types of employment, those that rely on online service providers and mostly have jobs without a labor contract but a direct employer, have jumped by the most, the report said. Maternity matrons, truck drivers, and delivery staff, the three blue-collar jobs with the highest monthly pay, earn an average of CNY8,824, CNY7,641, and CNY6,803, respectively.

Each maternity matron at Downton Family, a housekeeping platform, can earn between CNY8,000 and CNY15,000 (USD1,125 and USD2,110) a month, with maids salaries at about CNY7,000, founder Chen Zhe, who is also secretary general of the China Home Service Association, told Yicai. 

Downton Family serves a ‘high net value’ group, with its name inspired by the UK television drama Downton Abbey, which is set against the backdrop of historical social class and hierarchy. The series debuted in China in 2013. 

Labor is always in short supply in this sector, with bookings for housekeeping services jumping 20 percent with the Chinese New Year coming in mid-February compared with the usual number, Chen noted. If staff opt to work over the holiday, their incomes will double, he added.

The advantage of working in hairdressing and makeup is that people who can do it better can earn more money, Xiao Mi, head of beauty salon chain Tengye Styling in Shanghai, told Yicai, noting that his income has jumped six to seven times over the past five years.

Delivery staff with takeout platforms, including the market leaders Meituan and Ele.me, are also counted as blue-collar workers in the report and have highly competitive incomes in China's third- and fourth-tier cities. 

Yang Shiqin, who began working for Meituan in Changming town in Guizhou province last August, earned over CNY7,000 in her first month after completing the most orders among all local delivery personnel. Her income was 400 percent to 500 percent more than she used to earn washing customers’ faces at a beauty salon.

Blue-collar workers in China are facing higher thresholds and tougher competition, according to the report. Maternity matrons and hairdressers must receive some training before starting, while truck drivers must get a driving license, which can cost at least CNY7,000 and take a lot of time. Nearly 70 percent of maternity matrons said they are under immense psychological pressure, with some facing pay arrears, the report pointed out.

Continuous learning is required for people working in the sector, Downton Family's Chen said, adding that some of the chaos in the sector needs to be sorted out.

Editor: Martin Kadiev