Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Melbourne

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Los Angeles, CA
$154,948
/ year
+4%
difference
Melbourne
$149,485
/ year
Bottom line: Melbourne offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Melbourne
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$154,948✓ higher
$149,485
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$100,204✓ higher
$96,671
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$239,600✓ higher
$231,152
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$104,231✓ higher
$101,650
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$112,281
$119,588✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.25×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$100,204
$146,940✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$239,600
$351,351✓ higher

What if you move from Los Angeles to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$5,463
4% decrease
Take-home change
$2,581
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$7,307
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Los Angeles, CA$154,948
P10: $100,204Median: $154,948P90: $239,600
Melbourne$149,485
P10: $146,940Median: $149,485P90: $351,351

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in Los Angeles or Melbourne?

The median Data Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $154,948/yr compared to A$227,217/yr in Melbourne. Los Angeles pays 4% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Los Angeles or Melbourne after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $112,281/yr in a median-cost city, vs $119,588/yr for Melbourne. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in Los Angeles vs Melbourne?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $104,231/yr, vs $101,650/yr in Melbourne. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.