Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Melbourne vs Sydney

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

Melbourne
$92,628
/ year
-4%
difference
Sydney
$96,232
/ 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
$92,628
$96,232✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$59,902
$62,233✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$143,233
$148,806✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$62,987
$65,438✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$74,102✓ higher
$71,283
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×✓ lower
1.35×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$91,051
$94,594✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$217,714
$226,185✓ higher

What if you move from Melbourne to Sydney?

Gross salary change
+$3,604
4% increase
Take-home change
+$2,451
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,819
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$92,628
P10: $91,051Median: $92,628P90: $217,714
Sydney$96,232
P10: $94,594Median: $96,232P90: $226,185

More Systems Administrator salary comparisons

Melbourne vs BrisbaneMelbourne vs PerthMelbourne vs AdelaideAll Systems Administrator salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Melbourne or Sydney?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Melbourne is A$140,795/yr compared to A$146,273/yr in Sydney. Sydney pays 4% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator 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 $74,102/yr in a median-cost city, vs $71,283/yr for Sydney. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Systems Administrator in Melbourne vs Sydney?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Melbourne takes home approximately $62,987/yr, vs $65,438/yr in Sydney. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.