Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Sydney vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Sydney
$151,755
/ year
-2%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$154,948
/ year
Bottom line: Sydney offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Sydney
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$151,755
$154,948✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$98,139
$100,204✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$234,662
$239,600✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$94,088
$104,231✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$112,411✓ higher
$112,281
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$149,171✓ higher
$100,204
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$356,686✓ higher
$239,600

What if you move from Sydney to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$3,193
2% increase
Take-home change
+$10,143
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$130
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
Los Angeles, CA$154,948
P10: $100,204Median: $154,948P90: $239,600

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

Sydney vs MelbourneSydney vs BrisbaneSydney vs PerthSydney vs AdelaideLos Angeles vs New YorkLos Angeles vs ChicagoLos Angeles vs HoustonLos Angeles vs PhoenixAll Data Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in Sydney or Los Angeles?

The median Data Engineer salary in Sydney is A$230,668/yr compared to $154,948/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 2% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Sydney or Los Angeles 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 $112,281/yr for Los Angeles. Sydney offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Sydney takes home approximately $94,088/yr, vs $104,231/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.