Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Melbourne vs Sydney

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

Melbourne
$100,346
/ year
-3%
difference
Sydney
$103,806
/ 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
$100,346
$103,806✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$66,579
$68,874✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$151,239
$156,454✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$68,235
$70,588✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$80,277✓ higher
$76,893
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×✓ lower
1.35×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$101,200
$104,688✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$229,883
$237,810✓ higher

What if you move from Melbourne to Sydney?

Gross salary change
+$3,460
3% increase
Take-home change
+$2,353
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,384
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$100,346
P10: $101,200Median: $100,346P90: $229,883
Sydney$103,806
P10: $104,688Median: $103,806P90: $237,810

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

Melbourne vs BrisbaneMelbourne vs PerthMelbourne vs AdelaideAll Data Scientist salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in Melbourne is A$152,526/yr compared to A$157,785/yr in Sydney. Sydney pays 3% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist 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 $80,277/yr in a median-cost city, vs $76,893/yr for Sydney. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Melbourne takes home approximately $68,235/yr, vs $70,588/yr in Sydney. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.