Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Melbourne

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

Austin, TX
$172,030
/ year
+4%
difference
Melbourne
$166,029
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Melbourne
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$172,030✓ higher
$166,029
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$111,251✓ higher
$107,370
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$266,014✓ higher
$256,734
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$114,802✓ higher
$102,938
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$153,598✓ higher
$132,823
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.25×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$111,251
$163,202✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$266,014
$390,236✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$6,001
4% decrease
Take-home change
$11,864
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$20,775
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

Austin, TX$172,030
P10: $111,251Median: $172,030P90: $266,014
Melbourne$166,029
P10: $163,202Median: $166,029P90: $390,236

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in Austin or Melbourne?

The median Security Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $172,030/yr compared to A$252,364/yr in Melbourne. Austin pays 4% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer salary worth more in Austin or Melbourne after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $153,598/yr in a median-cost city, vs $132,823/yr for Melbourne. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Austin vs Melbourne?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $114,802/yr, vs $102,938/yr in Melbourne. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.