Salary Comparison

Program Manager Salary:
Sydney vs Adelaide

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

Sydney
$151,967
/ year
+20%
difference
Adelaide
$126,302
/ year
Bottom line: Adelaide offers better purchasing power despite Sydney paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Sydney
Adelaide
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$151,967โœ“ higher
$126,302
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$98,276โœ“ higher
$81,679
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$234,990โœ“ higher
$195,304
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$94,220โœ“ higher
$85,885
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$112,568
$126,302โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35ร—
1.00ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$149,380โœ“ higher
$124,152
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$357,185โœ“ higher
$296,862

What if you move from Sydney to Adelaide?

Gross salary change
$25,665
20% decrease
Take-home change
$8,335
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$13,734
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$151,967
P10: $149,380Median: $151,967P90: $357,185
Adelaide$126,302
P10: $124,152Median: $126,302P90: $296,862

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Program Manager earn more in Sydney or Adelaide?

The median Program Manager salary in Sydney is A$230,990/yr compared to A$191,979/yr in Adelaide. Sydney pays 20% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Program Manager salary worth more in Sydney or Adelaide after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Sydney salary has the purchasing power of $112,568/yr in a median-cost city, vs $126,302/yr for Adelaide. Adelaide offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Program Manager in Sydney vs Adelaide?

After estimated taxes, a Program Manager in Sydney takes home approximately $94,220/yr, vs $85,885/yr in Adelaide. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.