MACAO, May 21 (Xinhuanet) -- The average salary in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) has seen an over 16-percent year-on-year rise in the first quarter.

    The latest figures released Saturday by the Macao Statistics and Census Bureau showed that the salary, in the first quarter, averaged 5,680 patacas per month (692 US dollars), up 16.35 percent year-on-year.

    The average salary has been rocketing for the sixth straight quarter, according to the official statistics.

    Local economic analysts viewed that the SAR's economic growth boost by the establishment of a number of new casinos last year. The booming gaming industry has since attracted employees by high salaries.

    The monthly income of employees in the gaming business averaged 7,802 patacas (951 US dollars) in the first quarter, while in other economic sectors lower than 5,000 patacas (610 US dollars), the figures showed. Enditem