Shenzhen has the highest minimum wage -- 1,500 yuan ($236) a month — among 18 regions that have adjusted their pay standards for lower-income groups.

Shanghai municipality and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region followed Shenzhen at the top of the list, with minimum monthly wages of 1,450 yuan and 1,340 yuan respectively.

Beijing has the highest hourly salary, at 14 yuan, followed by 13.4 yuan in Xinjiang and 13.3 yuan in Shenzhen.

The Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has the lowest hourly minimum wage, at 8.5 yuan.

Jiangxi province, with a minimum wage of 870 yuan a month, ranked last among the provinces.

Hainan province, which used to be last, has increased its lowest monthly pay level from 830 yuan to 1,050 yuan.

Local governments are required to raise their minimum-wage levels at least once every two years.

The State Council has called in the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2012-2015) launched in June to raise the minimum wage by at least 13 percent a year.