Pay by Role
China · Salary comparison

Cloud Architect vs Software Engineer salary

In China, a cloud architect earns about 25% more than a software engineer $146,904 vs $117,700 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
Cloud Architect
$146,904/yr
Monthly
$12,242
Hourly
$71
Range
$91,372$214,780
10-yr outlook
+24%
Technology
Software Engineer
$117,700/yr
Monthly
$9,808
Hourly
$57
Range
$75,325$169,485
10-yr outlook
+17%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileCloud ArchitectSoftware Engineer
Entry (10th)$91,372$75,325
25th$119,145$96,520
Median$146,904$117,700
75th$180,842$143,600
Senior (90th)$214,780$169,485

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

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a cloud architect or software engineer earn more in China?
A cloud architect earns more, at about ¥996,000 per year vs ¥798,000 for a software engineer — roughly 25% (¥198,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in China?
A cloud architect typically earns ¥619,500–¥1,456,200, while a software engineer earns ¥510,700–¥1,149,100 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in China?
On a monthly basis before tax, a cloud architect averages about ¥83,000 and a software engineer about ¥66,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in China, a cloud architect earns about ¥619,500 while a software engineer earns about ¥510,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in China, a cloud architect earns about ¥1,456,200 while a software engineer earns about ¥1,149,100 per year.
Are cloud architect and software 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.