ABSTRACT Through an online survey from 2020, this study aims to investigate how labour market status and occupational factors shape the risk of wage drops resultant of the COVID-19 outbreak. Quantitative evidence shows the risk is amplified for lower-educated labourers working in administrative positions, and affiliated to the traditional service sector and foreign invested enterprises (FIE) and they are more likely to experience earning reduction. COVID-19 in China witnesses a significantly downward trend of labours` wage and general wage inequality has slightly eased. This study calls for policy shift in direct financial subsidies to workers to mitigate labours’ risk.