Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
Sydney vs Melbourne

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

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

What if you move from Sydney to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$3,460
3% decrease
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

Sydney$103,806
P10: $104,688Median: $103,806P90: $237,810
Melbourne$100,346
P10: $101,200Median: $100,346P90: $229,883

More Machine Learning Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Machine Learning Engineer earn more in Sydney or Melbourne?

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

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

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

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