Salary Comparison

Program Manager Salary:
Sydney vs Brisbane

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

Sydney
$151,967
/ year
+9%
difference
Brisbane
$139,542
/ year
Bottom line: Brisbane offers better purchasing power despite Sydney paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Sydney
Brisbane
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$151,967✓ higher
$139,542
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$98,276✓ higher
$90,241
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$234,990✓ higher
$215,777
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$94,220
$94,889✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$112,568
$124,591✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×
1.12×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$149,380✓ higher
$137,166
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$357,185✓ higher
$327,981

What if you move from Sydney to Brisbane?

Gross salary change
$12,425
9% decrease
Take-home change
+$669
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$12,023
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$151,967
P10: $149,380Median: $151,967P90: $357,185
Brisbane$139,542
P10: $137,166Median: $139,542P90: $327,981

More Program Manager salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Program Manager earn more in Sydney or Brisbane?

The median Program Manager salary in Sydney is A$230,990/yr compared to A$212,104/yr in Brisbane. Sydney pays 9% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Program Manager salary worth more in Sydney or Brisbane 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 $124,591/yr for Brisbane. Brisbane offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Program Manager in Sydney vs Brisbane?

After estimated taxes, a Program Manager in Sydney takes home approximately $94,220/yr, vs $94,889/yr in Brisbane. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.