Massage therapists top service sector pay list

Masseurs and masseuses have the best-paid jobs in China's urban service industry, followed by fitness instructors and nannies who take care of newborns, according to a report released by 58.com, a job-seeking website.

The average monthly earnings of these jobs is more than 10,000 yuan ($1,454), much higher than for office workers.

The report said wage increases in the service sector is a result of people's growing attention to－and willingness to pay for－their health.

"I think the salary is reasonable. A nanny for newborns has to take care of both the baby and the mother, and has to stay alert 24 hours a day, which is very demanding," said Zhao Xi, 30, who paid 9,000 yuan per month for such a nanny last year.

Zhao, who works in the finance industry, also hired a personal trainer after giving birth, which cost her 300 yuan per hour.

"It is a bit expensive. But I think they deserve it. I know their diet is very strict as a personal trainer and they also train very hard to keep in shape, in addition to giving lessons to clients," she said.

Thanks to the fast growth of e-commerce in China, the number of couriers has reached 2 million. With average monthly earnings of about 7,000 yuan per month, they ranked sixth on the list.

Ma Weijun works up to 17 hours a day and delivers about 300 packages during peak season, earning more than 10,000 per month.

"You never have a regular eating schedule, and almost all of the deliverymen have chronic stomach problems," the 44-year-old said.

Despite the increasing popularity of vocational education in the past few years, blue-collar workers are still in short supply in some sections, the report said.

For instance, the employment gap of air conditioning installers is about 118,000 nationwide, it said.

Fact box

Top 10 professions in the service industry by monthly earnings in 2016

? Massage therapist: 17,669 yuan

? Fitness instructor: 15,225 yuan

? Nanny for newborns: 10,952 yuan

? Auto mechanic: 10,070 yuan

? Air conditioning installer: 8,310 yuan

? Courier: 7,028 yuan

? Beautician: 6,709 yuan

? Food deliveryman: 6,445 yuan

? Driver: 6,000 yuan

? Chef: 5,913 yuan

－ 58.COM