Project Engineer Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Project Engineers in Sydney earn a median salary of $160,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $116,573 and $217,000. That sits 68% above Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 83 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Sydney in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 15% of roles by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +9 listings vs last month
💰 Project Engineer · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$116,573 – $217,000
Median: $160,000
May $160k
Jun $160k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $112,000 – $200,000
Senior level $135,332 – $239,000
Overall $116k–$217k Mid $112k–$200k Senior $135k–$239k $108k $136k $163k $191k $218k $246k
High confidence 83 listings (+9 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.

Where does your salary sit?
Enter your salary to see where you rank.
Bottom 10%  $116,573 Median  $160,000 $217,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Project engineers are one of the busiest professional roles in this Sydney batch, 83 listings, and the pay held flat at $160k, a 68% premium over the city median. The level structure is clean and steep: mid at $160k, senior at $200k, a $40k gap that rewards moving up. Sydney sits level with Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth at $160k, so this is a national engineering rate rather than a Sydney one. Demand grew from 74 to 83 listings without moving the wage.

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 Project Engineer in Sydney?
The mid tier floor is around $112k (p10), so even an early-career project engineer in Sydney clears six figures. An engineering degree with progress toward chartered status, plus construction or infrastructure project exposure, is what carries a junior from the floor toward the $160k mid-tier median.
Is $160,000 a good salary in Sydney?
Yes, clearly. At $160k the median is 68% above Sydney's all-roles median and nets roughly $112.5k, strong even in the harbour city. Project engineering is among the better-paid roles tracked, and the flat national rate means no city penalty for staying in Sydney. The steep senior step also means there is clear room to grow.
How much does a Senior Project Engineer make in Sydney?
Senior project engineers in Sydney sit at $200k, with the band reaching $239k (p90). The jump from the $160k mid tier is scope and status: chartered engineering credentials, owning the engineering delivery on a major project, and moving toward lead-engineer or project-management responsibility across the whole works.

Other roles in Sydney

Project Engineer salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $160,000 —
Brisbane $160,000 ~same
Melbourne $160,000 ~same
Perth $160,000 ~same
Adelaide $127,500 -20%

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.