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 $221,000. That sits 68% above Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 31 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Sydney in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 46th percentile by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +8 listings vs last month
💰 Data Engineer · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$125,000 – $221,000
Median: $160,000
May $160k
Jun $160k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $123,000 – $211,520
Senior level $150,000 – $216,800
Overall $125k–$221k Mid $123k–$211k Senior $150k–$216k $119k $140k $162k $184k $205k $227k
Moderate confidence 31 listings (+8 vs last month) · 05/07/2026

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.

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Bottom 10%  $125,000 Median  $160,000 $221,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Data engineer demand in Sydney rose sharply this month, from 23 listings to 31, while the $160k median held firm. That median sits 68% above the city's all-roles figure, one of the largest premiums in this batch. Brisbane and Melbourne pay the identical $160k, so this is a role priced nationally by skill rather than by city. The senior tier (median $160k, p90 $216,800) is where the money concentrates: the mid band medians at $130k.

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?
There is no junior band here (the mid tier starts at a $123k p10), which tells you data engineering is not an entry role. People arrive from software or analytics backgrounds. Strong SQL plus a cloud stack (AWS, Azure or GCP) and pipeline tools like Spark or dbt are the specific skills that move someone from the $130k mid median toward the top.
Is $160,000 a good salary in Sydney?
Yes, emphatically. At $160k the median earns 68% above Sydney's $95k all-roles median and nets about $112k after tax, among the highest take-home figures on this platform. Sydney is expensive, but this comfortably clears it. The one note: Brisbane and Melbourne pay the same $160k, so there is no Sydney premium to bank here.
How much does a Senior Data Engineer make in Sydney?
Senior data engineers in Sydney earn a $160k median, reaching $216,800 at the p90 on 13 listings. Getting there means owning data architecture and platform decisions rather than building individual pipelines. Deep cloud infrastructure skills, or moving toward a lead and mentoring role, is what marks the senior grade.

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 $160,000 ~same

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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.