Software Engineer: China vs South Korea
Side-by-side salary comparison · Estimated based on OECD & BLS data
🇰🇷 South Korea pays 210% 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%
South Korea
KRW
Estimated Salary (USD)
$72,666
per year
Local Currency (KRW)
₩95,919,120
per year
PPP Adjusted
$154,115
purchasing power
Big Mac Power
14,770
burgers / year
Global Percentile
Top 45%
Visual Comparison
Salary (USD)
PPP Adjusted (USD)
Big Mac Power (burgers/year)
Key Takeaways
- ●
Software Engineers in South Korea earn 210% more than in China (nominal USD).
- ●
After adjusting for purchasing power (PPP), both countries offer similar real value.
- ●
Using the Big Mac Index, a Software Engineer's salary buys 2.2x more Big Macs in South Korea.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays Software Engineers more: China or South Korea?▾
South Korea pays Software Engineers an estimated $72,666 USD per year, which is 210% more than China's estimated $23,468 USD.
What is the PPP-adjusted salary for a Software Engineer in China vs South Korea?▾
The PPP-adjusted salary is $140,826 USD in China and $154,115 USD in South Korea. 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 South Korea it's about 14,770 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