Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Sydney vs Austin, TX

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

Sydney
$121,849
/ year
-6%
difference
Austin, TX
$129,485
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Sydney
Austin
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$121,849
$129,485✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$78,799
$83,737✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$188,418
$200,226✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$82,857
$88,864✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$90,259
$115,612✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×
1.12×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$119,774✓ higher
$83,737
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$286,395✓ higher
$200,226

What if you move from Sydney to Austin?

Gross salary change
+$7,636
6% increase
Take-home change
+$6,007
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$25,353
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$121,849
P10: $119,774Median: $121,849P90: $286,395
Austin, TX$129,485
P10: $83,737Median: $129,485P90: $200,226

More UX Designer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Designer salary in Sydney is A$185,210/yr compared to $129,485/yr in Austin, TX. Austin pays 6% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Sydney or Austin after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Sydney salary has the purchasing power of $90,259/yr in a median-cost city, vs $115,612/yr for Austin. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Sydney takes home approximately $82,857/yr, vs $88,864/yr in Austin, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.