Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Sydney vs Adelaide

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

Sydney
$151,755
/ year
+29%
difference
Adelaide
$117,395
/ year
Bottom line: Adelaide offers better purchasing power despite Sydney paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Sydney
Adelaide
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$151,755✓ higher
$117,395
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$98,139✓ higher
$75,919
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$234,662✓ higher
$181,531
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$94,088✓ higher
$79,829
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$112,411
$117,395✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×
1.00×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$149,171✓ higher
$115,397
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$356,686✓ higher
$275,927

What if you move from Sydney to Adelaide?

Gross salary change
$34,360
29% decrease
Take-home change
$14,259
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$4,984
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

Sydney$151,755
P10: $149,171Median: $151,755P90: $356,686
Adelaide$117,395
P10: $115,397Median: $117,395P90: $275,927

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Engineer salary in Sydney is A$230,668/yr compared to A$178,440/yr in Adelaide. Sydney pays 29% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Sydney or Adelaide after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Sydney salary has the purchasing power of $112,411/yr in a median-cost city, vs $117,395/yr for Adelaide. Adelaide offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Sydney takes home approximately $94,088/yr, vs $79,829/yr in Adelaide. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.