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Modeled Salary Estimate • Reference period November 2025
Modeled Estimate

Controls Engineer Salary Estimate in Shanghai, China

Shanghai has very high demand for Controls Engineer positions, driven by its very high automation industry presence. The city's Automotive sector is particularly active in hiring automation professionals, and Shanghai is recognized as a major technology and automation hub.

Modeled Average
¥944,623
per year
Modeled Range
¥639,906 - ¥1,279,812
Entry to Senior
Cost of Living
82
vs Global Average (100)
Job Demand
very high
Industry Strength
very high
Currency
CNY
Data Quality
low

Modeled Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Experience LevelYears of ExperienceModeled Salary (CNY)Modeled Range (CNY)
Entry Level
0-2 years¥639,906¥639,906
Mid Level
3-7 years¥914,152¥914,152
Senior Level
8+ years¥1,279,812¥1,279,812

This is a modeled estimate from a USD benchmark with local adjustments, not a direct local-market observation.

Cost of Living in Shanghai

Shanghai has a cost of living that is 18% lower than the global average. Average rent is approximately ¥1,500 per month. The purchasing power index is 95, indicating moderate local purchasing power.

Cost of Living Index
82
Purchasing Power
95
Average Rent
¥1,500/mo

Major PLC Employers in Shanghai

SAIC Motor

Shanghai Electric

COMAC

Huawei

Tesla China

ZPMC

Dominant PLC Brands

The most commonly used PLC platforms in Shanghai:

1
Siemens
2
Mitsubishi
3
Omron
4
Schneider Electric

Preferred Certifications

Certifications valued by employers in Shanghai:

Siemens TIA Portal
Mitsubishi GX Works
Omron CX-Programmer

Key Industry Sectors in Shanghai

Shanghai has a strong presence in the following industrial sectors that utilize PLC programming and automation:

Automotive
Electronics
Semiconductor
Aerospace
Manufacturing
Renewable Energy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Controls Engineer wage in Shanghai, China?

Our modeled estimate for a Controls Engineer in Shanghai is ¥944,623 per year. The model places entry-level compensation around ¥639,906 and senior compensation around ¥1,279,812. Actual offers vary by employer, experience, and benefits.

Which companies hire Controls Engineers in Shanghai?

Major employers in Shanghai include SAIC Motor, Shanghai Electric, COMAC, and many others. The Automotive sector is particularly active in hiring automation professionals.

What PLC brands are most common in Shanghai?

The dominant PLC brands in Shanghai are Siemens, Mitsubishi, Omron. Having certifications in Siemens is particularly valuable for professionals in this market.

How does the cost of living affect salary in Shanghai?

Shanghai has a cost of living that is 18% lower than the global average. Average rent is approximately ¥1,500 per month. The purchasing power index is 95, indicating moderate local purchasing power. This cost-of-living input is used by the page’s salary model.

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Ready to launch your Controls Engineer career in Shanghai?

Employers test hands-on PLC ability. Work real controls exercises in your browser so you can explain the logic in an interview, not just recite it.

Practise PLC job skills free

Opens plcsimulationsoftware.com — same team

Prefer ready-made code? Ladder Logic Pack — $29 on Gumroad