Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Sydney vs Brisbane

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

Sydney
$151,755
/ year
+15%
difference
Brisbane
$131,806
/ year
Bottom line: Brisbane offers better purchasing power despite Sydney paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Sydney
Brisbane
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$151,755✓ higher
$131,806
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$98,139✓ higher
$85,238
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$234,662✓ higher
$203,815
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$94,088✓ higher
$89,628
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$112,411
$117,684✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×
1.12×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$149,171✓ higher
$129,562
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$356,686✓ higher
$309,799

What if you move from Sydney to Brisbane?

Gross salary change
$19,949
15% decrease
Take-home change
$4,460
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,273
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
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 Sydney or Brisbane?

The median Data Engineer salary in Sydney is A$230,668/yr compared to A$200,345/yr in Brisbane. Sydney pays 15% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Sydney or Brisbane 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 $117,684/yr for Brisbane. Brisbane offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Sydney takes home approximately $94,088/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.