Pay by Role
China · Salary comparison

Photographer vs Social Media Manager salary

In China, a social media manager earns about 13% more than a photographer $51,918 vs $45,870 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

Creative
Photographer
$45,870/yr
Monthly
$3,820
Hourly
$22
Range
$27,286$68,570
10-yr outlook
+4%
Pays more
Creative
Social Media Manager
$51,918/yr
Monthly
$4,322
Hourly
$25
Range
$33,230$74,764
10-yr outlook
+10%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhotographerSocial Media Manager
Entry (10th)$27,286$33,230
25th$36,578$42,567
Median$45,870$51,918
75th$57,227$63,334
Senior (90th)$68,570$74,764

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

More Creative comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a photographer or social media manager earn more in China?
A social media manager earns more, at about ¥352,000 per year vs ¥311,000 for a photographer — roughly 13% (¥41,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in China?
A photographer typically earns ¥185,000–¥464,900, while a social media manager earns ¥225,300–¥506,900 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in China?
On a monthly basis before tax, a photographer averages about ¥25,900 and a social media manager about ¥29,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in China, a photographer earns about ¥185,000 while a social media manager earns about ¥225,300 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in China, a photographer earns about ¥464,900 while a social media manager earns about ¥506,900 per year.
Are photographer and social media manager similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Creative 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.