China’s humanoid robot firms offer salaries up to $5,300 - 4x national average to lure AI talent

The average monthly salary for humanoid robot algorithm engineers now stands at 31,512 yuan, rising to 38,489 yuan for positions requiring more than five years of experience, according to a report this week by Chinese recruitment platform Zhaopin, cited by the South China Morning Post.

By comparison, China’s nationwide urban average salary is 10,058 yuan per month, based on Zhaopin’s third-quarter 2024 data. Mechanical design engineers in the field also command competitive wages, earning an average of 22,264 yuan per month.

"The rapid evolution of embodied intelligence, coupled with growing demand in smart manufacturing and elder care, is accelerating commercialization in humanoid robotics and driving a hiring boom," the report said. "Compared with traditional robots, humanoid systems involve more complex algorithms and mechanical structures, requiring highly specialized talent, and prompting companies to offer premium salaries."

Unitree Robotics' humanoid robot models. Photo courtesy of Unitree Robotics

Even Unitree, one of China’s leading humanoid robot start-ups, is struggling to fill vacancies. "We’re short on people across the board – from admin and procurement to R&D, sales and marketing. Everyone is welcome," founder Wang Xingxing said at a youth entrepreneurship forum in Shanghai last month.

At a recent event in Beijing, Zhao Tongyang, founder of Zhongqing Robots, made a direct pitch to AI talent. "We’ve got money, manpower, and a flat structure," he said. "Come talk to us."

The surge in robotics hiring comes amid a generally sluggish job market. China’s youth unemployment rate, excluding students, dropped slightly to 15.8% in April from 16.5% in March, but pressures are expected to rise as a record number of graduates enter the workforce this summer.

Job openings in the humanoid robotics sector surged 409% year-on-year in the first five months of 2025, while job applications rose 396%, according to Zhaopin. In contrast, the broader robotics industry saw a 6% increase in openings and a 32% rise in applicants during the same period.

China is projected to become a global leader in humanoid robotics, a sector Morgan Stanley estimates could be worth up to $5 trillion in the coming decades, according to China Daily newspaper. Domestically, the market is forecast to reach 5.3 billion yuan in 2025, more than double its estimated size in 2024.

China is expected to produce more than half of the world’s humanoid robots next year, with over 10,000 units projected to be manufactured, generating 8.24 billion yuan in sales, Tech in Asia reported.