Salary Comparison

UX Researcher Salary:
New York, NY vs Sydney

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

New York, NY
$165,457
/ year
+35%
difference
Sydney
$122,308
/ year
Bottom line: New York wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
New York
Sydney
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$165,457โœ“ higher
$122,308
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$107,000โœ“ higher
$79,096
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$255,850โœ“ higher
$189,128
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$110,573โœ“ higher
$83,169
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$114,108โœ“ higher
$90,599
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45ร—
1.35ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$107,000
$120,226โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$255,850
$287,475โœ“ higher

What if you move from New York to Sydney?

Gross salary change
$43,149
35% decrease
Take-home change
$27,404
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$23,509
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

New York, NY$165,457
P10: $107,000Median: $165,457P90: $255,850
Sydney$122,308
P10: $120,226Median: $122,308P90: $287,475

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a UX Researcher earn more in New York or Sydney?

The median UX Researcher salary in New York, NY is $165,457/yr compared to A$185,908/yr in Sydney. New York pays 35% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a UX Researcher salary worth more in New York or Sydney after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $114,108/yr in a median-cost city, vs $90,599/yr for Sydney. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a UX Researcher in New York vs Sydney?

After estimated taxes, a UX Researcher in New York, NY takes home approximately $110,573/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.