Data Engineer Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Data Engineers in Sydney earn a median salary of $160,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $125,000 and $199,000. That sits 76% above Sydney's all-roles median of $90,726. Figures are based on 23 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Sydney in the last 30 days.

◆ Specialist role Lower listing volume — 24th percentile in Sydney ↓ -8 listings vs last month
💰 Data Engineer · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$125,000 – $199,000
Median: $160,000
Apr $160k
May $160k
→ Stable

Based on 2-month data — short-term movement only.

Mid level $125,000 – $160,000
Senior level $138,458 – $199,500
Overall $125k–$199k Mid $125k–$160k Senior $138k–$199k $121k $138k $154k $171k $188k $205k
⚠ Low confidence 23 listings (-8 vs last month) · 01/06/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from advertised employer bands on Seek.com.au. Figures represent what employers publicly advertise and may differ from actual compensation. Sample size is small — treat figures as indicative.

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Bottom 10%  $125,000 Median  $160,000 $199,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Sydney Data Engineers earned $160,000 from 23 listings (down 8 from April), unchanged on median. The listing decline is notable: an 8-listing drop (25%) from April may signal project completion or hiring pause in enterprise data programmes. Both the mid level (11 listings, $160,000) and senior level (12 listings, $167,500) show strong pay, with the senior cohort slightly above. At 76% above Sydney's all-roles median, this is elite compensation.

Take Home Pay (based on median $160,000)

Weekly (net)
~$2,164
Monthly (net)
~$9,378
Annual (net)
~$112,533
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $178,400

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Data Engineer in Sydney?
Mid-level Data Engineers in Sydney earn $125,000 to $160,000 (11 listings). The mid-level median of $160,000 is unusually high and reflects a supply-constrained market where experienced data engineers are commanding senior rates at mid-level experience. Cloud data platform ownership and production pipeline delivery are the core requirements.
Is $160,000 a good salary in Sydney?
Yes, strongly. At $160,000 and 76% above Sydney's all-roles median, Data Engineering is one of Sydney's best-compensated technical skills. The listing decline from April introduces some uncertainty about sustained demand, but at $160,000 the absolute income level is strong regardless.
How much does a Senior Data Engineer make in Sydney?
Senior Data Engineers in Sydney earn $138,458 to $199,500 (12 listings), with a senior median of $167,500. Reaching near-$200,000 requires enterprise-scale data architecture experience, typically in a financial services or major technology company where data platform investment is significant and ongoing.

Other roles in Sydney

Data Engineer salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $160,000 —
Brisbane $160,000 ~same
Melbourne $155,000 -3%

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Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.