Software Engineer: China vs Germany
Side-by-side salary comparison · Estimated based on OECD & BLS data
🇩🇪 Germany pays 273% more
China
CNY
Estimated Salary (USD)
$23,468
per year
Local Currency (CNY)
¥169,908
per year
PPP Adjusted
$140,826
purchasing power
Big Mac Power
6,822
burgers / year
Global Percentile
Bottom 10%
Germany
EUR
Estimated Salary (USD)
$87,546
per year
Local Currency (EUR)
€80,542
per year
PPP Adjusted
$126,512
purchasing power
Big Mac Power
15,225
burgers / year
Global Percentile
Top 19%
Visual Comparison
Salary (USD)
PPP Adjusted (USD)
Big Mac Power (burgers/year)
Key Takeaways
- ●
Software Engineers in Germany earn 273% more than in China (nominal USD).
- ●
After adjusting for purchasing power (PPP), China still leads by 11%.
- ●
Using the Big Mac Index, a Software Engineer's salary buys 2.2x more Big Macs in Germany.
Free · No login required
Explore More
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays Software Engineers more: China or Germany?▾
Germany pays Software Engineers an estimated $87,546 USD per year, which is 273% more than China's estimated $23,468 USD.
What is the PPP-adjusted salary for a Software Engineer in China vs Germany?▾
The PPP-adjusted salary is $140,826 USD in China and $126,512 USD in Germany. PPP adjustment accounts for cost of living differences between the two countries.
How does the purchasing power compare for Software Engineers?▾
Using the Big Mac Index, a Software Engineer in China can buy about 6,822 Big Macs per year, while in Germany it's about 15,225 Big Macs.
Estimated based on OECD & BLS data. Actual salaries vary by experience, company, and region. Data is for informational purposes only.
Sources: BLS OEWS · OECD · World Bank · Big Mac Index