A Big Mac in China costs 26.5 CNY (about $3.91). Here's how long different jobs must work to afford one:
| Job | Time per Big Mac | Pay basis |
|---|---|---|
| Public-school teacher | 12 min | 120,000 CNY/yr ÷ 900 teaching hrs source (low confidence) |
| Minimum-wage worker | 125 min | min wage 12.69 CNY/hr source |
| UberX driver | 83 min | net 19.06 CNY/hr source (medium confidence) |
The teaching figure is annual public-school salary ÷ annual net teaching (contact) hours — pay per minute of lecturing, not take-home pay. Teachers also spend uncounted time on planning, grading and holidays.
Data updated 2026-08-12. Big Mac prices: The Economist Big Mac Index.
Compare every country: teaching · minimum-wage work · UberX driving.
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