Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Melbourne vs Sydney

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

Melbourne
$121,588
/ year
0%
difference
Sydney
$121,849
/ 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
$121,588
$121,849✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$78,630
$78,799✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$188,014
$188,418✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$82,680
$82,857✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$97,270✓ higher
$90,259
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×✓ lower
1.35×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$119,518
$119,774✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$285,781
$286,395✓ higher

What if you move from Melbourne to Sydney?

Gross salary change
+$261
0% increase
Take-home change
+$177
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$7,011
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$121,588
P10: $119,518Median: $121,588P90: $285,781
Sydney$121,849
P10: $119,774Median: $121,849P90: $286,395

More UX Designer salary comparisons

Melbourne vs BrisbaneMelbourne vs PerthMelbourne vs AdelaideAll UX Designer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a UX Designer earn more in Melbourne or Sydney?

The median UX Designer salary in Melbourne is A$184,814/yr compared to A$185,210/yr in Sydney. Sydney pays 0% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer 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 $97,270/yr in a median-cost city, vs $90,259/yr for Sydney. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a UX Designer in Melbourne vs Sydney?

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Melbourne takes home approximately $82,680/yr, vs $82,857/yr in Sydney. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.