Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Singapore vs Melbourne

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

Singapore
$141,995
/ year
-5%
difference
Melbourne
$149,485
/ year
Bottom line: Melbourne wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Singapore
Melbourne
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$141,995
$149,485โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$91,828
$96,671โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$219,570
$231,152โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$96,557
$101,650โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$101,425
$119,588โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40ร—
1.25ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$123,050
$146,940โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$294,224
$351,351โœ“ higher

What if you move from Singapore to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
+$7,490
5% increase
Take-home change
+$5,093
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$18,163
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Singapore$141,995
P10: $123,050Median: $141,995P90: $294,224
Melbourne$149,485
P10: $146,940Median: $149,485P90: $351,351

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Engineer earn more in Singapore or Melbourne?

The median Data Engineer salary in Singapore is S$190,273/yr compared to A$227,217/yr in Melbourne. Melbourne pays 5% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Engineer salary worth more in Singapore or Melbourne after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Singapore salary has the purchasing power of $101,425/yr in a median-cost city, vs $119,588/yr for Melbourne. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in Singapore vs Melbourne?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Singapore takes home approximately $96,557/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.