CreativeGovernment / OECD · 96/10010+ years

Staff / Lead Illustrator Salary in Sydney

2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.

$90,044/yr

Typical range: $93,365 $120,528

P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Illustrator Salary Progression in Sydney

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$43,615$3,635
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$56,278$4,690+29%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$65,657$5,471+51%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$74,286$6,191+70%
StaffThis page10 yrs10 yrs$90,044$7,504+106%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$102,425$8,535+135%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$105,521$8,793+142%
Current Salary
$90,044
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $43/hr
Next Level Target
$102,425
Principal · 14
+$12Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
28/100
High Risk
+5% demand · Moderate AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the staff / lead Illustrator salary in Sydney, Australia?

Staff / Lead Illustrators in Sydney, Australia earn approximately $90K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a staff / lead Illustrator make per hour in Sydney, Australia?

Based on $90K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $43/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from staff / lead to senior Illustrator in Sydney, Australia?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Illustrator in Sydney, Australia earns $93K–$121K/yr.