Software Engineer Salary in Brisbane (2026)

Last updated 05/07/2026

Software Engineers in Brisbane earn a median salary of $145,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $102,500 and $163,750. That sits 71% above Brisbane's all-roles median of $85,000. Figures are based on 26 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Brisbane in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 33th percentile by listing volume in Brisbane ↑ +5 listings vs last month

ADVERTISED RANGE

$102,500 – $163,750

Median: $145,000

May $125k

Jun $145k

↑ Trending up

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

Mid level

$116,500 – $179,750

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.

Where does your salary sit?

Enter your salary to see where you rank.

Bottom 10% $102,500 Median $145,000 $163,750 Top 10%

Understanding the Brisbane Market

Based on 26 Brisbane listings, treat this as directional, though the trend is the headline: the median jumped $20k in a month, from $125k to $145k, the sharpest pay rise in this batch. That $145k runs 70.6% above Brisbane's all-roles median. The catch is geography, Sydney ($160k) and Melbourne ($155k) still pay more, so Brisbane trails the eastern tech hubs even after the jump. Demand by count is modest (33rd percentile), reflecting a smaller local tech scene, but the pay momentum suggests employers are competing harder for the engineers who are here.

Take Home Pay (based on median $145,000)

Weekly (net)

~$1,988

Monthly (net)

~$8,615

Annual (net)

~$103,383

Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $161,675

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 Software Engineer in Brisbane?

The mid band starts around $116.5k, high because software engineering commands a premium even early in a career. What pushes an engineer toward the $179.75k top is stack and domain: in-demand skills (cloud, data engineering, senior backend or full-stack), a computer-science degree or a strong shipped-project portfolio, and experience at a product company rather than a services shop. The related Data Engineer role ($160k) shows where specialisation leads.

Is $145,000 a good salary in Brisbane?

Yes. At $145k the median runs 70.6% above Brisbane's $85k all-roles figure and nets about $103k after tax in a moderate-cost city, a strong position, and pay is rising fast. Software engineers are well paid because the skills are scarce and directly tied to product value. The one caveat is that Sydney and Melbourne still pay $10k to $15k more, so the biggest tech salaries remain on the east coast, but Brisbane is closing the gap.

How much does a Senior Software Engineer make in Brisbane?

The range reaches $179.75k for senior engineers. The step up is depth and scope: specialising in a scarce area (cloud architecture, data engineering, platform or ML), leading technical design, and mentoring or owning a system end to end. Moving into senior or staff engineering, or a Data Engineer specialisation ($160k), is what carries pay toward the top, with Sydney and Melbourne offering more for the same seniority.

Other roles in Brisbane

Software Engineer salaries in other cities

City	Median salary	vs Brisbane
Brisbane (this page)	$145,000	—
Sydney	$160,000	+10%
Melbourne	$155,000	+7%

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