Salary Comparison

UX Researcher Salary:
Melbourne vs Sydney

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

Melbourne
$116,154
/ year
-5%
difference
Sydney
$122,308
/ 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
$116,154
$122,308✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$75,116
$79,096✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$179,612
$189,128✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$78,985
$83,169✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$92,923✓ higher
$90,599
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×✓ lower
1.35×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$114,176
$120,226✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$273,010
$287,475✓ higher

What if you move from Melbourne to Sydney?

Gross salary change
+$6,154
5% increase
Take-home change
+$4,184
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,324
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$116,154
P10: $114,176Median: $116,154P90: $273,010
Sydney$122,308
P10: $120,226Median: $122,308P90: $287,475

More UX Researcher salary comparisons

Melbourne vs BrisbaneMelbourne vs PerthMelbourne vs AdelaideAll UX Researcher salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Researcher salary in Melbourne is A$176,554/yr compared to A$185,908/yr in Sydney. Sydney pays 5% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Researcher 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 $92,923/yr in a median-cost city, vs $90,599/yr for Sydney. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Researcher in Melbourne takes home approximately $78,985/yr, vs $83,169/yr in Sydney. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.