Average workers' incomes rose in Q1 across all sectors

According to the report, average monthly incomes in the first quarter of 2025 continued to grow, reaching $332, an increase of $5.20, or 1.6 per cent, compared to the previous quarter, and up $28.80, or 9.5 per cent, on-year.

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The average monthly income of workers in urban areas is almost 1.4 times higher than that in rural areas ($405 vs $290).

Some industries reporting significant income growth include water supply and waste management and treatment, with average incomes approximating $400, up 12 per cent on-year; with salaries in electricity and gas production and distribution reaching $492, up almost 11 per cent; and wages in agriculture, forestry, and fishery coming to around $200, up 9.8 per cent.

Workers in the manufacturing industry took home $364 in monthly income on average, up 8 per cent on-year; with those in financial services, banking, and insurance reporting $556, up 6.1 per cent. Wholesale, retail, and motor vehicle repair workers earned $376, up 5.7 per cent on-year.

According to the National Statistics Office, by the end of Q1, the number of workers nationwide reached almost 52 million people, an increase of over 532,000, or up a little over 1 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The proportion of workers who have completed training with degrees or certificates by the end of Q1 was 28.8 per cent, higher compared to one year ago, strongly suggesting that workforce quality is steadily improving.

The proportion of workers in the service sector, accounted for 40.7 per cent, or 21.1 million people in Q1. Compared to the previous quarter and the same period last year, employment in this sector increased by 100,300 people and 574,400 people, respectively.

The number of workers in the industrial and construction sectors accounted for 33.3 per cent, or 17.3 million people, up 262,700 people on-year.

The agricultural, forestry, and fishery sector had the lowest proportion, accounting for 26 per cent, or 13.5 million people, a decrease of 305,000 people compared to 2024.

Some localities in the north central region reported strong growth in workers’ average monthly income for the period, such as Nghe An province, with workers’ average monthly income approximating $290, up 24.1 per cent on-year. The figure for Thanh Hoa was $312, up 15.6 per cent; with Quang Binh at $280, up 14.2 per cent.

Several other northern localities reporting significant income growth include Hung Yen with $368, up 11.5 per cent on-year, Vinh Phuc with $396, up 11.5 per cent, and Hai Duong with $352, up 10.6 per cent.

In the Red River Delta region, the average monthly income of workers reached $392, up 9.5 per cent on-year.

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