Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Melbourne vs Sydney

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

Melbourne
$149,485
/ year
-1%
difference
Sydney
$151,755
/ year
Bottom line: Melbourne offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Melbourne
Sydney
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$149,485
$151,755✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$96,671
$98,139✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$231,152
$234,662✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$101,650✓ higher
$94,088
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$119,588✓ higher
$112,411
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×✓ lower
1.35×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$146,940
$149,171✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$351,351
$356,686✓ higher

What if you move from Melbourne to Sydney?

Gross salary change
+$2,270
1% increase
Take-home change
$7,562
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$7,177
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
Sydney$151,755
P10: $149,171Median: $151,755P90: $356,686

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Engineer salary in Melbourne is A$227,217/yr compared to A$230,668/yr in Sydney. Sydney pays 1% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Melbourne or Sydney 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 $112,411/yr for Sydney. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Melbourne takes home approximately $101,650/yr, vs $94,088/yr in Sydney. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.