Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Melbourne

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

Los Angeles, CA
$159,955
/ year
+6%
difference
Melbourne
$150,916
/ year
Bottom line: Melbourne offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Los Angeles
Melbourne
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$159,955โœ“ higher
$150,916
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$103,442โœ“ higher
$97,597
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$247,342โœ“ higher
$233,365
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$107,252โœ“ higher
$93,568
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,909
$120,733โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38ร—
1.25ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,442
$148,347โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$247,342
$354,715โœ“ higher

What if you move from Los Angeles to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$9,039
6% decrease
Take-home change
$13,684
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$4,824
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

Los Angeles, CA$159,955
P10: $103,442Median: $159,955P90: $247,342
Melbourne$150,916
P10: $148,347Median: $150,916P90: $354,715

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a DevOps Engineer earn more in Los Angeles or Melbourne?

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $159,955/yr compared to A$229,392/yr in Melbourne. Los Angeles pays 6% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a DevOps Engineer salary worth more in Los Angeles or Melbourne after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $115,909/yr in a median-cost city, vs $120,733/yr for Melbourne. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a DevOps Engineer in Los Angeles vs Melbourne?

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $107,252/yr, vs $93,568/yr in Melbourne. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.