Software Engineer Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Software Engineers in Sydney earn a median salary of $160,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $100,000 and $200,000. That sits 68% above Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 64 jobs advertised in Sydney in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 19% of roles by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +18 listings vs last month
💰 Software Engineer · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$100,000 – $200,000
Median: $160,000
Aug $160k
Sep $160k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $86,250 – $160,000
Senior level $160,000 – $200,000
Overall $100k–$200k Mid $86k–$160k Senior $160k–$200k $83k $108k $132k $157k $181k $206k
Moderate confidence 64 listings (+18 vs last month) · 30/09/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 64 job listings for this role and city, 98.5% sourced from Seek.com.au and the rest from government job boards and employer career sites. Of those, 22.1% stated a salary directly. The remaining 77.9% 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. Fewer than a quarter of these listings stated a salary, so the median leans heavily on estimates.

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Bottom 10%  $100,000 Median  $160,000 $200,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Software engineers earn $160,000 in Sydney with the median unchanged and listings up 39% from 46 to 64. Brisbane pays $140,000 and Melbourne $131,000, giving Sydney a clear $20,000 to $29,000 lead. The senior band carries 38 of the 64 listings against 22 at mid level, so this market skews experienced, with mid at $125,000 and senior at $180,000. Only 22% of listings stated a salary, so precision is limited.

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 Software Engineer in Sydney?
The $100,000 floor assumes production experience, and graduate roles generally sit below this range under different titles. Mid-level listings run $86,000 to $160,000 with a median of $125,000 across 22 listings. Cloud platforms, a primary language stack and CI/CD exposure are what listings name most often at the lower end.
Is $160,000 a good salary in Sydney?
Yes. At $160,000 a software engineer earns 68.4% above Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000, with take-home near $2,164 a week, which absorbs the city's living costs. The $20,000 lead over Brisbane is large enough to survive the housing comparison. Network engineering in Sydney at $162,000 pays marginally more.
How much does a Senior Software Engineer make in Sydney?
Senior listings run $160,000 to $200,000 with a median of $180,000, from 38 listings, the larger of the two tiers. Technical leadership, architecture and platform ownership are what reach it. That $55,000 step from mid to senior median is one of the largest technical progressions in this report.

Other roles in Sydney

Software Engineer salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $160,000 0%
Brisbane $140,000 -12%
Melbourne $131,702 -18%

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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.