TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) said Monday that Taiwan's electronic component sector recorded an average of 26.9 overtime hours in February.

The sector reached its second-highest level on record, only behind the 27.1 hours logged in October. Tan Wen-ling (譚文玲), deputy director of the DGBAS's national statistics office, attributed the increase primarily to growing AI demand, per CNA. 

According to DGBAS, Taiwan's manufacturing sector averaged 16.1 overtime hours in February, marking the ninth consecutive month of increased overtime. Within that sector, computer and optical product manufacturing recorded 12.3 overtime hours, its seventh straight month of increases.

Despite some global trade uncertainties linked to US President Donald Trump's tariff policies, strong demand for AI has increased orders for Taiwan's electronics manufacturing sector, Tan said. She also noted February's overtime figures indicate strong AI demand is fueling growth in the sector.

Tan said that some companies increased shipments ahead of potential impacts from US tariff policies, partly contributing to the rise in overtime hours.

The agency also reported the average monthly salary for employees in Taiwan's manufacturing and service sectors reached approximately NT$47,200 (US$1,459) in February, a 3.02% increase from last year. Non-regular earnings, including bonuses and overtime pay, averaged around NT$10,800. 

In January, the average monthly salary for employees in Taiwan’s manufacturing and service sectors amounted to NT$50,176, a 3.27% year-on-year increase, DGBAS said. Non-regular earnings totaled NT$71,435, with the agency attributing the rise mainly to year-end bonuses.

Tan added that driven by rising AI demand Taiwan's manufacturing sector provided an average of 2.17 months’ year-end bonuses last year. Within the sector, computer and optical product manufacturers averaged 3.46 months, while electronic component manufacturers averaged 2.92 months.