Pay by Role
China · Salary comparison

AI Engineer vs Systems Administrator salary

In China, a ai engineer earns about 101% more than a systems administrator $145,724 vs $72,567 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
Systems Administrator
$72,567/yr
Monthly
$6,047
Hourly
$35
Range
$50,354$99,706
10-yr outlook
+4%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileAI EngineerSystems Administrator
Entry (10th)$86,711$50,354
25th$116,210$61,461
Median$145,724$72,567
75th$181,786$86,136
Senior (90th)$217,863$99,706

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

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a ai engineer or systems administrator earn more in China?
A ai engineer earns more, at about ¥988,000 per year vs ¥492,000 for a systems administrator — roughly 101% (¥496,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in China?
A ai engineer typically earns ¥587,900–¥1,477,100, while a systems administrator earns ¥341,400–¥676,000 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 systems administrator about ¥41,000.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in China, a ai engineer earns about ¥587,900 while a systems administrator earns about ¥341,400 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in China, a ai engineer earns about ¥1,477,100 while a systems administrator earns about ¥676,000 per year.
Are ai engineer and systems administrator 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.