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.