Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Austin, TX vs Melbourne

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

Austin, TX
$98,321
/ year
+6%
difference
Melbourne
$92,628
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Austin
Melbourne
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$98,321โœ“ higher
$92,628
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$63,584โœ“ higher
$59,902
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$152,036โœ“ higher
$143,233
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$70,056โœ“ higher
$62,987
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$87,787โœ“ higher
$74,102
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12ร—โœ“ lower
1.25ร—
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$63,584
$91,051โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$152,036
$217,714โœ“ higher

What if you move from Austin to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$5,693
6% decrease
Take-home change
$7,069
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$13,685
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Austin, TX$98,321
P10: $63,584Median: $98,321P90: $152,036
Melbourne$92,628
P10: $91,051Median: $92,628P90: $217,714

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Systems Administrator earn more in Austin or Melbourne?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Austin, TX is $98,321/yr compared to A$140,795/yr in Melbourne. Austin pays 6% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Systems Administrator 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 $87,787/yr in a median-cost city, vs $74,102/yr for Melbourne. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Systems Administrator in Austin vs Melbourne?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Austin, TX takes home approximately $70,056/yr, vs $62,987/yr in Melbourne. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.