Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Melbourne vs Sydney

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

Melbourne
$109,511
/ year
-6%
difference
Sydney
$116,285
/ 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
$109,511
$116,285✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$70,820
$75,201✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$169,339
$179,814✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$74,467
$79,074✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$87,609✓ higher
$86,137
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×✓ lower
1.35×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$107,646
$114,306✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$257,395
$273,317✓ higher

What if you move from Melbourne to Sydney?

Gross salary change
+$6,774
6% increase
Take-home change
+$4,607
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,472
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$109,511
P10: $107,646Median: $109,511P90: $257,395
Sydney$116,285
P10: $114,306Median: $116,285P90: $273,317

More Network Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Network Engineer salary in Melbourne is A$166,457/yr compared to A$176,753/yr in Sydney. Sydney pays 6% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Network Engineer 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 $87,609/yr in a median-cost city, vs $86,137/yr for Sydney. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Melbourne takes home approximately $74,467/yr, vs $79,074/yr in Sydney. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.