Pay by Role
China · Salary comparison

Civil Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer salary

In China, a mechanical engineer earns about 3% more than a civil engineer $81,711 vs $79,646 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

Engineering
Civil Engineer
$79,646/yr
Monthly
$6,637
Hourly
$38
Range
$54,558$110,310
10-yr outlook
+8%
Pays more
Engineering
Mechanical Engineer
$81,711/yr
Monthly
$6,814
Hourly
$39
Range
$55,974$113,172
10-yr outlook
+10%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileCivil EngineerMechanical Engineer
Entry (10th)$54,558$55,974
25th$67,110$68,835
Median$79,646$81,711
75th$94,986$97,434
Senior (90th)$110,310$113,172

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

More Engineering comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a civil engineer or mechanical engineer earn more in China?
A mechanical engineer earns more, at about ¥554,000 per year vs ¥540,000 for a civil engineer — roughly 3% (¥14,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in China?
A civil engineer typically earns ¥369,900–¥747,900, while a mechanical engineer earns ¥379,500–¥767,300 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in China?
On a monthly basis before tax, a civil engineer averages about ¥45,000 and a mechanical engineer about ¥46,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in China, a civil engineer earns about ¥369,900 while a mechanical engineer earns about ¥379,500 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in China, a civil engineer earns about ¥747,900 while a mechanical engineer earns about ¥767,300 per year.
Are civil engineer and mechanical engineer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Engineering 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.