BEIJING, Nov. 28 -- More and more highly-educated people are choosing part-time and freelance job positions, a survey has revealed.

The Shanghai Labor and Social Security Bureau surveyed 12,000 part-time workers throughout the city over the latter part of this year.

About one-third, or 33.8 percent, of part-time workers had college degrees, a rise of two percent from the first half of this year.

Most had taken up the positions as tutors or fitness instructors, while those with basic education worked in retailing and catering, the survey said.

The survey was undertaken to establish a set of fair wage guidelines.

Meanwhile, taking freelance jobs has become a popular way for locals to make a living.

Part-time workers surveyed who also have full-time jobs occupied 40 percent, dropping 11 percent from the first half of this year.

Bureau officials said because of the flexible working schedule and good money, more people resigned from their steady jobs and chose to act as freelancers rather than holding down a steady job.

According to the bureau, fitness instructors could receive 6,000 yuan (810 U.S. dollars) to 7,000 yuan every month.

The survey suggested the average pay for part-time wedding emcees rose by 200 yuan from the first half of this year to 800 yuan per ceremony on average.

The top pay for the job was 1,300 yuan per wedding, also rising 100 yuan from the first half.

Wedding masters and make-up artists also saw their pay rise to 600 yuan from 550 yuan for the first half's average.

For entertainment performers, saxophone players at local hotels should expect to earn as much as 270 yuan an hour, a 20-yuan increase over the guideline released earlier in the year.

Employers don't have to follow the payment guidelines resulting from the survey, but they can use them to help determine an appropriate wage for part-time workers.

(Source: China Daily)