Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Melbourne vs Brisbane

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

Melbourne
$149,485
/ year
+13%
difference
Brisbane
$131,806
/ year
Bottom line: Melbourne wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Melbourne
Brisbane
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$149,485✓ higher
$131,806
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$96,671✓ higher
$85,238
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$231,152✓ higher
$203,815
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$101,650✓ higher
$89,628
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$119,588✓ higher
$117,684
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×
1.12×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$146,940✓ higher
$129,562
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$351,351✓ higher
$309,799

What if you move from Melbourne to Brisbane?

Gross salary change
$17,679
13% decrease
Take-home change
$12,022
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,904
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

Melbourne$149,485
P10: $146,940Median: $149,485P90: $351,351
Brisbane$131,806
P10: $129,562Median: $131,806P90: $309,799

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in Melbourne or Brisbane?

The median Data Engineer salary in Melbourne is A$227,217/yr compared to A$200,345/yr in Brisbane. Melbourne pays 13% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Melbourne salary has the purchasing power of $119,588/yr in a median-cost city, vs $117,684/yr for Brisbane. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Melbourne takes home approximately $101,650/yr, vs $89,628/yr in Brisbane. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.