Software Engineer Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Software Engineers in Melbourne earn a median salary of $131,702 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $94,000 and $166,000. That sits 40% above Melbourne's all-roles median of $93,805. Figures are based on 37 jobs advertised in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

● Moderate demand 56th percentile by listing volume in Melbourne ↑ +6 listings vs last month
💰 Software Engineer · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$94,000 – $166,000
Median: $131,702
Aug $160k
Sep $131k
↓ Trending down

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

Mid level $100,000 – $172,556
Senior level $137,500 – $160,000
Overall $94k–$166k Mid $100k–$172k Senior $137k–$160k $91k $108k $125k $143k $160k $177k
Moderate confidence 37 listings (+6 vs last month) · 30/09/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 37 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 29.3% stated a salary directly. The remaining 70.7% 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.

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Bottom 10%  $94,000 Median  $131,702 $166,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

The median fell $28,298 to $131,000, an 18% drop and one of the sharpest declines in this report, while listings rose from 31 to 37. Sydney now pays $160,000 and Brisbane $140,000, leaving Melbourne well behind both. The senior band runs $137,000 to $160,000 on 12 listings with a median of $160,000, which is what Sydney pays at mid level. Only 29% of listings stated a salary, so read the drop as a signal rather than a precise figure.

Take Home Pay (based on median $131,702)

Weekly (net)
~$1,832
Monthly (net)
~$7,939
Annual (net)
~$95,272
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $146,847

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 Melbourne?
The $94,000 floor is lower than in previous months and likely captures some graduate listings. Mid-level listings run $100,000 to $172,000 with a median of $120,000 across 23 listings. Cloud platforms, a primary language stack and CI/CD exposure are what listings name most often at the lower end.
Is $131,702 a good salary in Melbourne?
Yes, though less than it was. At $131,000 a software engineer earns 40.4% above Melbourne's all-roles median of $93,000, with take-home near $1,832 a week against high living costs. Sydney pays $29,000 more, which housing costs do not close. Network engineering in Melbourne at $150,000 now pays more than software engineering.
How much does a Senior Software Engineer make in Melbourne?
Senior listings run $137,000 to $160,000 with a median of $160,000, from 12 listings, so the senior band is tightly clustered at the top. Technical leadership, architecture and platform ownership are what reach it. That $40,000 step from mid to senior median is substantial and worth targeting given the overall decline.

Other roles in Melbourne

Software Engineer salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $131,702 0%
Sydney $160,000 +21%
Brisbane $140,000 +6%

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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.