Pay by Role
China · Salary comparison

Data Engineer vs Systems Administrator salary

In China, a data engineer earns about 55% more than a systems administrator $112,685 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
Data Engineer
$112,685/yr
Monthly
$9,395
Hourly
$54
Range
$72,124$162,272
10-yr outlook
+30%
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

PercentileData EngineerSystems Administrator
Entry (10th)$72,124$50,354
25th$92,405$61,461
Median$112,685$72,567
75th$137,479$86,136
Senior (90th)$162,272$99,706

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

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a data engineer or systems administrator earn more in China?
A data engineer earns more, at about ¥764,000 per year vs ¥492,000 for a systems administrator — roughly 55% (¥272,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in China?
A data engineer typically earns ¥489,000–¥1,100,200, 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 data engineer averages about ¥63,700 and a systems administrator about ¥41,000.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in China, a data engineer earns about ¥489,000 while a systems administrator earns about ¥341,400 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in China, a data engineer earns about ¥1,100,200 while a systems administrator earns about ¥676,000 per year.
Are data 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.