Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Melbourne vs Sydney

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

Melbourne
$166,029
/ year
-1%
difference
Sydney
$167,040
/ year
Bottom line: Melbourne offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Melbourne
Sydney
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$166,029
$167,040✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$107,370
$108,024✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$256,734
$258,298✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$102,938
$103,565✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$132,823✓ higher
$123,733
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×✓ lower
1.35×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$163,202
$164,196✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$390,236
$392,613✓ higher

What if you move from Melbourne to Sydney?

Gross salary change
+$1,011
1% increase
Take-home change
+$627
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$9,090
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

Melbourne$166,029
P10: $163,202Median: $166,029P90: $390,236
Sydney$167,040
P10: $164,196Median: $167,040P90: $392,613

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Security Engineer salary in Melbourne is A$252,364/yr compared to A$253,901/yr in Sydney. Sydney pays 1% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Melbourne salary has the purchasing power of $132,823/yr in a median-cost city, vs $123,733/yr for Sydney. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Melbourne takes home approximately $102,938/yr, vs $103,565/yr in Sydney. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.