Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Sydney vs Melbourne

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

Sydney
$155,522
/ year
+3%
difference
Melbourne
$150,916
/ year
Bottom line: Melbourne offers better purchasing power despite Sydney paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Sydney
Melbourne
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$155,522✓ higher
$150,916
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$100,575✓ higher
$97,597
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$240,487✓ higher
$233,365
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$96,424✓ higher
$93,568
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,201
$120,733✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×
1.25×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$152,874✓ higher
$148,347
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$365,540✓ higher
$354,715

What if you move from Sydney to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$4,606
3% decrease
Take-home change
$2,856
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,532
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$155,522
P10: $152,874Median: $155,522P90: $365,540
Melbourne$150,916
P10: $148,347Median: $150,916P90: $354,715

More DevOps Engineer salary comparisons

Sydney vs BrisbaneSydney vs PerthSydney vs AdelaideAll DevOps Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a DevOps Engineer earn more in Sydney or Melbourne?

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Sydney is A$236,393/yr compared to A$229,392/yr in Melbourne. Sydney pays 3% more in gross terms.

▶Is a DevOps Engineer salary worth more in Sydney or Melbourne after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Sydney salary has the purchasing power of $115,201/yr in a median-cost city, vs $120,733/yr for Melbourne. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a DevOps Engineer in Sydney vs Melbourne?

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Sydney takes home approximately $96,424/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.