Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Melbourne vs Perth

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

Melbourne
$92,628
/ year
+9%
difference
Perth
$85,195
/ year
Bottom line: Perth offers better purchasing power despite Melbourne paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Melbourne
Perth
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$92,628โœ“ higher
$85,195
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$59,902โœ“ higher
$55,095
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$143,233โœ“ higher
$131,739
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$62,987โœ“ higher
$57,933
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$74,102
$77,450โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25ร—
1.10ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$91,051โœ“ higher
$83,744
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$217,714โœ“ higher
$200,243

What if you move from Melbourne to Perth?

Gross salary change
$7,433
9% decrease
Take-home change
$5,054
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,348
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

Melbourne$92,628
P10: $91,051Median: $92,628P90: $217,714
Perth$85,195
P10: $83,744Median: $85,195P90: $200,243

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Melbourne is A$140,795/yr compared to A$129,496/yr in Perth. Melbourne pays 9% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Melbourne or Perth after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Melbourne salary has the purchasing power of $74,102/yr in a median-cost city, vs $77,450/yr for Perth. Perth offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Melbourne takes home approximately $62,987/yr, vs $57,933/yr in Perth. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.