Qingdao's job market remained stable in the first quarter of the year, according to the Qingdao human resources and social security bureau.

Official data showed that in the January-March period this year, a total of 68,500 new urban jobs were created in Qingdao, up 64.12 percent compared with the same period in 2020, and up 5.22 percent compared with the same period in 2019.

Job seekers attend a job fair in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo/guanhai.com.cn]

The city's growing service sector has provided a growing number of jobs as a result of economic restructuring. In the first three months of this year, 46,800 jobs were created in the service sector, up 85.36 percent from the same period of 2020 and 12.63 percent from January-March of 2019.

Employment in the information service software industry, scientific research and technology service industry, and the culture, sports and entertainment industry increased by 82.32 percent, 69.96 percent and 45.56 percent, respectively, compared with the same period in 2019.

The private sector has retained its position as the main jobs provider. Over the period, it created 52,700 jobs, up 54.58 percent from 2020 and 0.77 percent from 2019.

The coastal city of Qingdao boasts a vibrant economy. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The average recruitment salary provided by employers reached 5,438 yuan ($829.83) per month, an increase of 8.3 percent year-on-year.

A total of 981 positions, including sailors, finance directors, game development engineers and product planning engineers, were advertised with a monthly salary of more than 10,000 yuan.

In addition, 1,634 positions such as mold designers, automotive beauticians and yoga instructors were advertised with a monthly salary of 8,000 to 10,000 yuan.

In the first quarter of this year, the number of policy-supported entrepreneurs in the city also increased significantly to 18,100, up 81.74 percent compared with the same period last year and up 57.39 percent compared with the same period in 2019.

The city also distributed 418 million yuan in start-up support funds, up 62.54 percent year-on-year and up 146.91 percent over the same period in 2019.