Salary Comparison

UX Researcher Salary:
Sydney vs Melbourne

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

Sydney
$122,308
/ year
+5%
difference
Melbourne
$116,154
/ year
Bottom line: Melbourne offers better purchasing power despite Sydney paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Sydney
Melbourne
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$122,308✓ higher
$116,154
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$79,096✓ higher
$75,116
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$189,128✓ higher
$179,612
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$83,169✓ higher
$78,985
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$90,599
$92,923✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×
1.25×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$120,226✓ higher
$114,176
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$287,475✓ higher
$273,010

What if you move from Sydney to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$6,154
5% decrease
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

Sydney$122,308
P10: $120,226Median: $122,308P90: $287,475
Melbourne$116,154
P10: $114,176Median: $116,154P90: $273,010

More UX Researcher salary comparisons

Sydney vs BrisbaneSydney vs PerthSydney vs AdelaideAll UX Researcher salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

▶Is a UX Researcher salary worth more in Sydney or Melbourne after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Sydney salary has the purchasing power of $90,599/yr in a median-cost city, vs $92,923/yr for Melbourne. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

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