Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Sydney vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Sydney
$99,431
/ year
-49%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$195,742
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Sydney
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$99,431
$195,742✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$65,972
$126,585✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$149,860
$302,680✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$67,613
$130,926✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$73,653
$141,842✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$100,277
$126,585✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$227,787
$302,680✓ higher

What if you move from Sydney to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$96,311
49% increase
Take-home change
+$63,313
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$68,189
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$99,431
P10: $100,277Median: $99,431P90: $227,787
Los Angeles, CA$195,742
P10: $126,585Median: $195,742P90: $302,680

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

Sydney vs MelbourneSydney vs BrisbaneSydney vs PerthSydney vs AdelaideLos Angeles vs New YorkLos Angeles vs ChicagoLos Angeles vs HoustonLos Angeles vs PhoenixAll Software Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in Sydney or Los Angeles?

The median Software Engineer salary in Sydney is A$151,135/yr compared to $195,742/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 49% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Sydney or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Sydney salary has the purchasing power of $73,653/yr in a median-cost city, vs $141,842/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Sydney vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Sydney takes home approximately $67,613/yr, vs $130,926/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.