Pay by Role
China · Salary comparison

AI Engineer vs Network Engineer salary

In China, a ai engineer earns about 73% more than a network engineer $145,724 vs $84,366 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

Pays more
Technology
AI Engineer
$145,724/yr
Monthly
$12,139
Hourly
$70
Range
$86,711$217,863
10-yr outlook
+40%
Technology
Network Engineer
$84,366/yr
Monthly
$7,035
Hourly
$41
Range
$57,036$117,774
10-yr outlook
+5%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileAI EngineerNetwork Engineer
Entry (10th)$86,711$57,036
25th$116,210$70,694
Median$145,724$84,366
75th$181,786$101,077
Senior (90th)$217,863$117,774

National China figures in CNY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a ai engineer or network engineer earn more in China?
A ai engineer earns more, at about ¥988,000 per year vs ¥572,000 for a network engineer — roughly 73% (¥416,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in China?
A ai engineer typically earns ¥587,900–¥1,477,100, while a network engineer earns ¥386,700–¥798,500 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 network engineer about ¥47,700.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in China, a ai engineer earns about ¥587,900 while a network engineer earns about ¥386,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in China, a ai engineer earns about ¥1,477,100 while a network engineer earns about ¥798,500 per year.
Are ai engineer and network 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.