Database Administrator vs Software Engineer salary
In China, a software engineer earns about 35% more than a database administrator — $117,700 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
Technology
Database Administrator$87,316/yr
- Monthly
- $7,271
- Hourly
- $42
- Range
- $59,027–$121,889
- 10-yr outlook
- +9%
Pays more
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
| Percentile | Database Administrator | Software Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $59,027 | $75,325 |
| 25th | $73,172 | $96,520 |
| Median | $87,316 | $117,700 |
| 75th | $104,602 | $143,600 |
| Senior (90th) | $121,889 | $169,485 |
National China figures in CNY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a database administrator or software engineer earn more in China?
- A software engineer earns more, at about ¥798,000 per year vs ¥592,000 for a database administrator — roughly 35% (¥206,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in China?
- A database administrator typically earns ¥400,200–¥826,400, 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 database administrator averages about ¥49,300 and a software engineer about ¥66,500.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in China, a database administrator earns about ¥400,200 while a software engineer earns about ¥510,700 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in China, a database administrator earns about ¥826,400 while a software engineer earns about ¥1,149,100 per year.
- Are database administrator 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.