AI engineers in China are earning impressive salaries, with top professionals receiving CNY 22,000 (approximately $3,000) per month. This makes AI engineering the highest-paid profession in the country. According to Zhilian Zhaopin, a leading Chinese recruitment platform, engineers with advanced qualifications and expertise, particularly in computer visualization, fall within this top salary bracket, as reported by the Global Times.
The average salary in the AI sector increased by 5.3% from the first quarter to CNY 13,594 (approximately $1,870) in the second quarter, surpassing the average salary in the finance sector.
An artist’s impression of artificial intelligence
This trend reflects China’s push to become self-sufficient in AI development, with the country striving to compete globally in this rapidly advancing field. Many Chinese companies are actively seeking AI talent to stay competitive, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
The Xinhua News Agency reports that China now hosts over 4,500 AI companies, and its AI industry is projected to be worth CNY 578 billion (approximately $81 billion) in 2023, marking a 13.9% year-on-year increase.
Liu Gang, chief economist at the Chinese Institute of New Generation AI Development Strategies, stated to the Global Times that the demand for AI-skilled professionals is expected to grow as AI continues to revolutionize various industries. This trend is likely to drive up engineering salaries even further in 2024.
“AI is a highly competitive and rapidly evolving technology sector with the potential to create new business models and revenue streams. Numerous companies are offering high salaries to attract top-tier talent,” Zhilian Zhaopin noted.
