Lawyer Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Lawyers in Sydney earn a median salary of $125,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $94,500 and $160,000. That sits 32% above Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 50 jobs advertised in Sydney in the last 30 days.

● Moderate demand 72th percentile by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +19 listings vs last month
💰 Lawyer · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$94,500 – $160,000
Median: $125,000
Aug $125k
Sep $125k
→ Stable

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

Entry level $80,000 – $148,000
Mid level $95,000 – $156,000
Senior level $135,840 – $174,581
Overall $94k–$160k Entry $80k–$148k Mid $95k–$156k Senior $135k–$174k $77k $98k $118k $138k $159k $179k
Moderate confidence 50 listings (+19 vs last month) · 30/09/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 50 job listings for this role and city, 86.3% sourced from Seek.com.au and the rest from government job boards and employer career sites. Of those, 33.3% stated a salary directly. The remaining 66.7% carried a range estimated from the listing, so this median blends advertised and estimated pay. Figures represent what employers advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

Where does your salary sit?
Enter your salary to see where you rank.
Bottom 10%  $94,500 Median  $125,000 $160,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

The median held at $125,000 with listings up 61% from 31 to 50. Brisbane now leads at $150,000, a $25,000 premium over Sydney, with Melbourne level at $125,000. Sydney shows a full three-tier structure: entry at $119,000 on 13 listings, mid at $115,000 on 25 and senior at $160,000 on 12. Unusually, the entry median sits above the mid median, which suggests the two tiers are capturing different practice areas rather than a clean seniority ladder.

Take Home Pay (based on median $125,000)

Weekly (net)
~$1,754
Monthly (net)
~$7,599
Annual (net)
~$91,183
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $139,375

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 Lawyer in Sydney?
Entry listings run $80,000 to $148,000 with a median of $119,000, based on 13 listings, and that sits above the mid band median of $115,000. That inversion means the entry group likely includes higher-paying commercial roles rather than representing a true floor. Practical Legal Training and admission are baseline, so practice area is the real differentiator.
Is $125,000 a good salary in Sydney?
Yes. At $125,000 a lawyer earns 31.6% above Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000, with take-home near $1,754 a week against the highest living costs in this report. Brisbane pays $25,000 more at a far lower cost base, which is one of the strongest relocation cases in this report. In-house legal counsel at $200,000 is the clearest local step up.
How much does a Senior Lawyer make in Sydney?
Senior listings run $135,000 to $174,000 with a median of $160,000, from 12 listings. Special counsel, partnership track or a move in-house are the routes past the mid band. Legal counsel at $200,000 is worth $75,000 over the lawyer median, the largest such gap in this report.

Other roles in Sydney

Lawyer salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $125,000 0%
Brisbane $150,000 +20%
Melbourne $125,000 ~same

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

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.