Salary Comparison

Product Designer Salary:
Sydney vs Melbourne

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

Sydney
$140,296
/ year
+6%
difference
Melbourne
$132,901
/ year
Bottom line: Melbourne offers better purchasing power despite Sydney paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Sydney
Melbourne
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$140,296โœ“ higher
$132,901
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$90,729โœ“ higher
$85,946
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$216,943โœ“ higher
$205,508
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$95,401โœ“ higher
$90,373
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$103,923
$106,321โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35ร—
1.25ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$137,908โœ“ higher
$130,638
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$329,753โœ“ higher
$312,372

What if you move from Sydney to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$7,395
6% decrease
Take-home change
$5,028
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,398
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

Sydney$140,296
P10: $137,908Median: $140,296P90: $329,753
Melbourne$132,901
P10: $130,638Median: $132,901P90: $312,372

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Product Designer earn more in Sydney or Melbourne?

The median Product Designer salary in Sydney is A$213,250/yr compared to A$202,010/yr in Melbourne. Sydney pays 6% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Product Designer 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 $103,923/yr in a median-cost city, vs $106,321/yr for Melbourne. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Product Designer in Sydney vs Melbourne?

After estimated taxes, a Product Designer in Sydney takes home approximately $95,401/yr, vs $90,373/yr in Melbourne. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.