Pay by Role
China · Salary comparison

Chef vs Plumber salary

In China, a chef earns about 5% more than a plumber $56,048 vs $53,393 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
Skilled Trades
Chef
$56,048/yr
Monthly
$4,676
Hourly
$27
Range
$35,870$80,708
10-yr outlook
+5%
Skilled Trades
Plumber
$53,393/yr
Monthly
$4,454
Hourly
$26
Range
$36,578$73,953
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileChefPlumber
Entry (10th)$35,870$36,578
25th$45,959$44,986
Median$56,048$53,393
75th$68,378$63,673
Senior (90th)$80,708$73,953

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

More Skilled Trades comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a chef or plumber earn more in China?
A chef earns more, at about ¥380,000 per year vs ¥362,000 for a plumber — roughly 5% (¥18,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in China?
A chef typically earns ¥243,200–¥547,200, while a plumber earns ¥248,000–¥501,400 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in China?
On a monthly basis before tax, a chef averages about ¥31,700 and a plumber about ¥30,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in China, a chef earns about ¥243,200 while a plumber earns about ¥248,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in China, a chef earns about ¥547,200 while a plumber earns about ¥501,400 per year.
Are chef and plumber similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Skilled Trades 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.