BEIJING -- Chinese military officers' wages have risen steadily over the last five years, according to a report in Thursday's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily newspaper.

A survey of military officers showed that by the end of last year, the average monthly income for military officers was 5,373.14 yuan (about 826 U.S. dollars), 2.61 times higher than 2005's average wage, the report said.

Meanwhile, the average income per person for families of military officers reached 2,637.62 yuan, 2.41 times higher than the same figure from 2005, according to the report.

The survey showed that officers' salaries are climbing at the fastest rate ever since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the report said.

The survey, which sampled 10,000 military officers, showed that living conditions for military officers have also significantly improved, although their spouses and children are still having trouble with employment and education, respectively, according to the report.

Military authorities have pledged to further improve military officers' welfare over the next five years, the report said.