Objective To explore the status of working ability of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in China from multi-center, multi-level and multi-dimensional perspectives, and analyze the influencing factors of working ability in AS patients, so as to improve the outcome of working ability disorder in AS patients. Methods The demographic data, working ability and disease-related information of 253 AS patients admitted to 10 hospitals in 9 centers in China from Mar. 2022 to Sep. 2023 were collected. Work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire was used to investigate the working status. The influencing factors of working ability disorder were analyzed, and the correlations of the work ability with the severity of disease, self-assessment, and mental health status were discussed. Results A total of 253 patients with AS were enrolled, of which 197 (77.87%) were employed, 76 (30.04%) were in normal working status, and 177 (69.96%) had disorder in working ability. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the course of AS, Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index, Bath ankylosing spondylitis measurement index, functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-fatigue, ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score-erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society health index, depression, anxiety, and patient global assessment were important factors affecting the working ability of patients. Conclusion There is a high proportion of work ability disorder in Chinese AS patients, and the severity of the disease, psychological state and self-reported outcome are closely related to the status of work ability.