Pay by Role
China · Salary comparison

Data Engineer vs Database Administrator salary

In China, a data engineer earns about 29% more than a database administrator — $112,685 vs $87,316 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
Data Engineer
$112,685/yr
Monthly
$9,395
Hourly
$54
Range
$72,124–$162,272
10-yr outlook
+30%
Technology
Database Administrator
$87,316/yr
Monthly
$7,271
Hourly
$42
Range
$59,027–$121,889
10-yr outlook
+9%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileData EngineerDatabase Administrator
Entry (10th)$72,124$59,027
25th$92,405$73,172
Median$112,685$87,316
75th$137,479$104,602
Senior (90th)$162,272$121,889

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

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Frequently asked questions

Does a data engineer or database administrator earn more in China?
A data engineer earns more, at about ¥764,000 per year vs ¥592,000 for a database administrator — roughly 29% (¥172,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in China?
A data engineer typically earns ¥489,000–¥1,100,200, while a database administrator earns ¥400,200–¥826,400 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in China?
On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about ¥63,700 and a database administrator about ¥49,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in China, a data engineer earns about ¥489,000 while a database administrator earns about ¥400,200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in China, a data engineer earns about ¥1,100,200 while a database administrator earns about ¥826,400 per year.
Are data engineer and database 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.