Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Sydney vs Melbourne

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

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

What if you move from Sydney to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$6,774
6% decrease
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

Sydney$116,285
P10: $114,306Median: $116,285P90: $273,317
Melbourne$109,511
P10: $107,646Median: $109,511P90: $257,395

More Network Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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