China's humanoid robot firms pay 3 times national average amid AI talent crunch
As China witnesses a boom in humanoid robotics, companies in the sector are offering salaries more than three times the urban average to lure top engineers and AI talent – underscoring a deepening talent crunch that even industry leaders acknowledge.
The average monthly pay for humanoid robot algorithm engineers now stands at 31,512 yuan (US$4386), rising up to 38,489 yuan for roles requiring more than five years of experience, according to a new report released this week by online recruitment platform Zhaopin.
That is nearly four times the nationwide urban average salary of 10,058 yuan per month, based on the firm's most recent compensation data for the third quarter of 2024.
Mechanical design engineer roles in the field also command strong wages, with an average salary of 22,264 yuan.
Soaring pay in the humanoid robotics sector stands out as a rare bright spot in an otherwise subdued hiring landscape. China's job market
remains under pressure from slowing economic growth and falling corporate earnings, leading to widespread lay-offs and pay cuts across industries.
The youth unemployment rate, excluding students, eased slightly to 15.8 per cent in April, down from 16.5 per cent in March, according to official data. But with a record number of graduates set to enter the workforce this summer, the labour market faces growing strain.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
China to loosen IPO restrictions by reinstating listings of unprofitable start-ups: CSRC
China plans to resume listings of unprofitable start-ups on its technology boards in an effort to support the nation's drive toward technological self-sufficiency and roll back curbs on the initial public offering (IPO) market , according to the head of the stock market regulator. At the Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai on Wednesday, Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), said listings would be restarted for pre-profit firms seeking to trade on the Shanghai exchange's Technology and Innovation Board, also known as the Star Market . The watchdog would also apply the rule to Shenzhen's ChiNext board, which hosts smaller companies. The relaxation came as a surprise to investors after two years of strict IPO approvals by the CSRC, which sought to arrest a decline in China's US$10.5 trillion stock market by reducing equity supplies. The move is seen as a supportive measure for China's start-ups at a time when Beijing is seeking to reduce its tech reliance on the US amid simmering trade tensions. 'Innovation requires alliance among scientists, entrepreneurs and investors,' Wu said. The Star Market 50 Index, which tracks the 50 biggest stocks on the board, including Semiconductor Manufacturing International and artificial intelligence (AI) chipmaker Cambricon Technologies, reversed a loss of as much as 0.4 per cent before trading little changed. A gauge of the ChiNext board dropped 0.4 per cent. The relaxation was meant to 'better and more precisely' serve high-quality tech companies that have breakthroughs, big spending on research and development, and promising business outlooks, Wu said. A wider array of unprofitable companies – including firms engaged in AI, commercial aviation and the low-altitude sector – could apply for listings on the Star Market before they became profitable, he said. The CSRC would also kick off a trial programme introducing 'seasoned' professional investors to trade the stocks after listings, Wu said.
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's 30-month high unemployment rate is not due to imported workers: minister
Hong Kong's labour chief has stressed that importing workers contributed very little to the 30-month high unemployment rate recorded for March to May, while highlighting measures introduced to protect residents from being replaced by cheaper overseas candidates. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Wednesday that the city's 3.5 per cent unemployment rate for the latest rolling three-month period, the highest since the October to December stretch in 2022, had little to do with the imported labour scheme. 'The number of foreign workers who came to Hong Kong through the scheme is around 55,000, which is less than 1 per cent of our workforce,' he told a radio programme. 'So they have had little impact on the movement of our overall labour market.' He attributed the recent figure to Hong Kong's economy undergoing a transition and uncertainty due to geopolitical tensions, but said he remained optimistic about the city's projected economic growth of 2 to 3 per cent for this year. The Labour Department on Tuesday introduced new measures to 'safeguard employment priority' for local workers, amid increasing complaints from residents that they were replaced by cheaper foreign labour.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
What Chinese citizens hope for as China grows more globally powerful
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification China's geopolitical ascent is shaping global power dynamics in unprecedented ways. As the world's second-largest economy and a leader in technological innovation, China has been asserting its influence, particularly across Asia. The latest Chinese Citizens' Global Perception Survey reflects this shift, with 71 per cent of respondents viewing their nation as the most influential global actor, fuelled by economic strength, artificial intelligence advancements and military modernisation. The question is no longer whether China can rival the United States, but how Beijing intends to wield its power. While 68 per cent of Chinese respondents still acknowledge Washington's global significance, the perception of Chinese dominance has grown. Beijing emphasises self-reliance in technology and defence while carefully engaging with Western powers. Economic interdependence remains a defining factor, but tensions persist as Beijing navigates between cooperation and competition. Russia stands out as China's most trusted ally, with 74 per cent of Chinese respondents expressing confidence in Moscow, as the countries' strengthened economic and defence collaboration fortifies their partnership . Meanwhile, China's relationship with Europe remains mixed – Germany and France are favourably viewed amid strong trade ties, yet relative scepticism toward the European Union underscores Beijing's preference for bilateral agreements over bloc-level negotiations. China's expanding role in global security is another focus. More than 70 per cent of Chinese respondents are in favour of increasing peacekeeping efforts, aligning with Beijing's ambition to reshape security cooperation beyond Western-led initiatives. However, growing military assertiveness, especially in the South China Sea, poses strategic risks that could undermine broader geopolitical objectives.
