AI Engineer vs Data Engineer salary
In China, a ai engineer earns about 29% more than a data engineer — $145,724 vs $112,685 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is CNY). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
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Technology
AI Engineer$145,724/yr
- Monthly
- $12,139
- Hourly
- $70
- Range
- $86,711–$217,863
- 10-yr outlook
- +40%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | AI Engineer | Data Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $86,711 | $72,124 |
| 25th | $116,210 | $92,405 |
| Median | $145,724 | $112,685 |
| 75th | $181,786 | $137,479 |
| Senior (90th) | $217,863 | $162,272 |
National China figures in CNY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a ai engineer or data engineer earn more in China?
- A ai engineer earns more, at about ¥988,000 per year vs ¥764,000 for a data engineer — roughly 29% (¥224,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in China?
- A ai engineer typically earns ¥587,900–¥1,477,100, while a data engineer earns ¥489,000–¥1,100,200 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in China?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a ai engineer averages about ¥82,300 and a data engineer about ¥63,700.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in China, a ai engineer earns about ¥587,900 while a data engineer earns about ¥489,000 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in China, a ai engineer earns about ¥1,477,100 while a data engineer earns about ¥1,100,200 per year.
- Are ai engineer and data engineer similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.