Network Engineer Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated 21/05/2026

Network Engineers in Sydney earn a median salary of $160,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $125,350 and $275,000. That sits 61% above Sydney's all-roles median of $99,400. Figures are based on 28 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Sydney in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 42th percentile by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +8 listings vs last month

ADVERTISED RANGE

$125,350 – $275,000

Median: $160,000

Mar $155k

Apr $160k

↑ Trending up

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

Senior level

$150,000 – $275,000

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% $125,350 Median $160,000 $275,000 Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Network engineers in Sydney earned a median of $160,000, with 28 listings rising 8 from March, one of the few technology roles showing a positive volume trend. The $125,350 to $275,000 range (93.5% spread) is driven by a senior tier (21 listings, $150,000 to $275,000) that anchors the data heavily toward experienced professionals. The median rose $4,793 from March, a modest but consistent upward signal. Data Engineers and Software Engineers in the same city both sit at $160,000, confirming that senior network engineering commands full parity with other high-demand technology disciplines in Sydney.

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 Network Engineer in Sydney?

Senior network engineers in Sydney (the entry point into most listed postings) typically earn $150,000 to $160,000. CCNP or CCIE-level Cisco certification is expected for roles above $150,000; specialist certifications in cloud networking (AWS Networking Specialty, Azure Network Engineer) are the differentiator for roles toward $200,000. Candidates with a background in zero-trust network architecture or SD-WAN deployment are in the highest demand among Sydney's financial services and government clients.

Is $160,000 a good salary in Sydney?

Yes. At $160,000, a network engineer in Sydney earns 61% above the city's all-roles median. Sydney is expensive, but at this income level the purchasing power is strong, the role sits comfortably in the upper tier of professional salaries in the city. The 8-listing increase from March is a positive market signal, and the concentration of listings at the senior level suggests employers are investing in experienced practitioners rather than junior hires.

How much does a Senior Network Engineer make in Sydney?

Senior network engineers in Sydney earn $160,000 to $275,000, with the ceiling driven by Principal or Distinguished Engineer roles at major financial institutions, government agencies, or cloud service providers. Reaching $250,000 and above requires deep specialisation in areas like network security architecture, large-scale SD-WAN deployment, or carrier-grade infrastructure, skills that are scarce and where Sydney has a limited available talent pool.

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