Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Sydney vs Austin, TX

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

Sydney
$167,040
/ year
-3%
difference
Austin, TX
$172,492
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Sydney
Austin
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$167,040
$172,492✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$108,024
$111,550✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$258,298
$266,728✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$103,565
$115,116✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$123,733
$154,011✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×
1.12×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$164,196✓ higher
$111,550
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$392,613✓ higher
$266,728

What if you move from Sydney to Austin?

Gross salary change
+$5,452
3% increase
Take-home change
+$11,551
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$30,278
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$167,040
P10: $164,196Median: $167,040P90: $392,613
Austin, TX$172,492
P10: $111,550Median: $172,492P90: $266,728

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

Sydney vs MelbourneSydney vs BrisbaneSydney vs PerthSydney vs AdelaideAustin vs New YorkAustin vs Los AngelesAustin vs ChicagoAustin vs HoustonAll Security Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Security Engineer salary in Sydney is A$253,901/yr compared to $172,492/yr in Austin, TX. Austin pays 3% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Sydney salary has the purchasing power of $123,733/yr in a median-cost city, vs $154,011/yr for Austin. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Sydney takes home approximately $103,565/yr, vs $115,116/yr in Austin, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.