Software Engineer Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Software Engineers in Melbourne earn a median salary of $155,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $91,450 and $197,500. That sits 63% above Melbourne's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 32 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 48th percentile by listing volume in Melbourne ↓ -3 listings vs last month
💰 Software Engineer · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$91,450 – $197,500
Median: $155,000
May $150k
Jun $155k
↑ Trending up

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

Mid level $90,300 – $166,000
Senior level $160,000 – $200,000
Overall $91k–$197k Mid $90k–$166k Senior $160k–$200k $87k $111k $134k $158k $182k $206k
Moderate confidence 32 listings (-3 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.

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Bottom 10%  $91,450 Median  $155,000 $197,500  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Software engineers in Melbourne earn $155,000 at the median, 63% above the city's all-roles figure, with pay rising $5,000 this month. Sydney pays slightly more ($160k) and Brisbane less ($145k), so Melbourne sits mid-pack for tech nationally. The level split is stark: mid at $115k, senior at $160k, a $45k step that shows how sharply the market rewards moving from mid to senior. The wide band ($91,450 to $197,500) reflects that seniority gap plus stack and domain premiums.

Take Home Pay (based on median $155,000)

Weekly (net)
~$2,105
Monthly (net)
~$9,124
Annual (net)
~$109,483
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $172,825

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?
Software engineers in Melbourne start their mid band around $90k. The lift toward senior pay comes from stack depth and ownership: in-demand languages and cloud platforms, plus owning systems rather than tickets, drive the jump. Domain matters too, fintech and specialised-platform roles pay above general web development, and the mid-to-senior step is the single biggest pay lever in the field.
Is $155,000 a good salary in Melbourne?
Yes. At $155,000 the median software engineer earns 63% above Melbourne's all-roles median and nets roughly $109k after tax, top-tier pay, and rising. The role shows clear headroom to $160k at senior level and $197,500 at the top, so this is a career with a steep progression curve rather than a plateau.
How much does a Senior Software Engineer make in Melbourne?
Senior software engineers in Melbourne sit at a $160k median, a $45k jump from mid, reaching $197,500 at the top. The step up is about scope: owning system architecture and technical decisions rather than implementing features, plus depth in a high-value stack or domain (cloud, distributed systems, fintech). The path beyond is into staff-engineer or engineering-lead roles.

Other roles in Melbourne

Software Engineer salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $155,000 —
Sydney $160,000 +3%
Brisbane $145,000 -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.