Payroll Officer Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated 01/06/2026

Payroll Officers in Sydney earn a median salary of $93,860 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $79,040 and $108,680. That is broadly in line with Sydney's all-roles median of $90,726. Figures are based on 61 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Sydney in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 19% of roles by listing volume in Sydney ↓ -7 listings vs last month

ADVERTISED RANGE

$79,040 – $108,680

Median: $93,860

Apr $100k

May $93k

↓ Trending down

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

Mid level

$79,040 – $102,500

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.

Where does your salary sit?

Enter your salary to see where you rank.

Bottom 10% $79,040 Median $93,860 $108,680 Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Payroll Officers in Sydney earned $93,860 at the median in May, down $6,140 from April, with 61 listings (down 7). The median decline is notable: the fall from $100,000 in April to $93,860 in May is the largest month-on-month drop for this role across the dataset. With 61 listings providing good data confidence, this may reflect a genuine shift in the mix of roles rather than an isolated outlier effect. At 3.5% above Sydney's all-roles median, the role earns a slim but real premium.

Take Home Pay (based on median $93,860)

Weekly (net)

~$1,366

Monthly (net)

~$5,918

Annual (net)

~$71,011

Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $104,653

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 Payroll Officer in Sydney?

Payroll Officers starting in Sydney earn around $79,040 at the p10. Sydney's floor is broadly consistent with Melbourne and lower than Perth, reflecting the city's larger supply of payroll candidates from its financial services and corporate services sectors. Reaching the $90,000 mid-level median typically requires three to five years of full-cycle payroll experience in a multi-entity or complex award environment.

Is $93,860 a good salary in Sydney?

Marginally yes. At $93,860, a Sydney Payroll Officer earns 3.5% above the city's all-roles median. Sydney is expensive, and the premium is narrow, so the income is functional rather than comfortable in most inner-suburb scenarios. However, Sydney's payroll market is large and well-established, and the role provides strong career security with defined pathways to Payroll Team Leader and Manager designations.

How much does a Senior Payroll Officer make in Sydney?

Senior Payroll Officers in Sydney reach $102,500 at the p90. These roles are concentrated in large financial institutions, healthcare networks, and professional services firms with complex payroll environments including global payroll coordination or enterprise agreement management. Above $102,500, the role typically transitions to a Payroll Manager or People Systems Manager designation.

Other roles in Sydney

Payroll Officer salaries in other cities

City	Median salary	vs Sydney
Sydney (this page)	$93,860	—
Perth	$95,000	~same
Melbourne	$93,860	~same
Brisbane	$85,000	-9%

Uncover hidden salary ranges on Seek

Paste any job URL to bypass the "competitive salary" text and see the exact employer budget instantly.

Check a Listing Install Extension