TechnologyGovernment / OECD · 96/10010+ years

Staff / Lead Network Engineer Salary in Sydney

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

$172,102/yr

Typical range: $146,233 $179,814

P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Network Engineer Salary Progression in Sydney

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

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$79,074$6,590
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$97,679$8,140+24%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$110,083$9,174+39%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$127,448$10,621+61%
StaffThis page10 yrs10 yrs$172,102$14,342+118%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$215,825$17,985+173%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$226,756$18,896+187%
Current Salary
$172,102
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $83/hr
Next Level Target
$215,825
Principal · 14
+$44Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
28/100
High Risk
+6% demand · Moderate AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Staff / Lead Network Engineers in Sydney, Australia earn approximately $172K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

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

Based on $172K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $83/hr (2,080-hour work year).

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

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Network Engineer in Sydney, Australia earns $146K–$180K/yr.