Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Melbourne vs Perth

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

Melbourne
$149,485
/ year
+8%
difference
Perth
$138,425
/ year
Bottom line: Perth offers better purchasing power despite Melbourne paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Melbourne
Perth
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$149,485✓ higher
$138,425
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$96,671✓ higher
$89,519
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$231,152✓ higher
$214,050
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$101,650✓ higher
$94,129
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$119,588
$125,841✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×
1.10×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$146,940✓ higher
$136,069
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$351,351✓ higher
$325,356

What if you move from Melbourne to Perth?

Gross salary change
$11,060
8% decrease
Take-home change
$7,521
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$6,253
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
Perth$138,425
P10: $136,069Median: $138,425P90: $325,356

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Engineer salary in Melbourne is A$227,217/yr compared to A$210,406/yr in Perth. Melbourne pays 8% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Melbourne or Perth 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 $125,841/yr for Perth. Perth offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Melbourne takes home approximately $101,650/yr, vs $94,129/yr in Perth. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.