China Joins Global Puzzle of Elusive Raises Amid Ample Openings

Official and private gauges show demand for hiring remained healthy in the second quarter, with even the weakest regions and sectors recovering. Yet white-collar pay edged down from the first quarter and pay raises for the nation‘s 281 million migrant workers also narrowed.

While conditions like those may be good for companies‘ payroll costs, they also give less spending power to consumers who play an increasingly crucial role in generating economic growth. Technology is seeing the most demand for talent and professional services pay the best -- positive signs for industries that the government is relying on to rebalance the economy away from smokestack sectors.