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 $95,000 and $200,000. That sits 68% above Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 61 jobs advertised in Sydney in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 22% of roles by listing volume in Sydney
💰 Software Engineer · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$95,000 – $200,000
Median: $160,000
Jun $160k
Jul $160k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $92,700 – $203,500
Senior level $135,000 – $200,000
Overall $95k–$200k Mid $92k–$203k Senior $135k–$200k $89k $113k $137k $161k $185k $209k
Moderate confidence 61 listings · 02/08/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 61 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 28.1% stated a salary directly. The remaining 71.9% 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.

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Bottom 10%  $95,000 Median  $160,000 $200,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Software engineers earn $160,000 in Sydney against $155,000 in Melbourne, with both the median and listing count completely unchanged at 61. The senior band carries 36 of the 61 listings against 20 at mid level, so this market skews experienced. Mid sits at $132,000 and senior at $160,000, making the $28,000 step legible. Only 28% of listings stated a salary, though the stability across the month supports the figure.

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 $95,000 floor is lower than Melbourne's $111,000 and likely captures some graduate listings. Mid-level listings run $92,000 to $203,000 with a median of $132,000 across 20 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. Melbourne pays $5,000 less at a lower cost base, so the two are close on take-home. It sits level with data engineering and product management at $160,000.
How much does a Senior Software Engineer make in Sydney?
Senior listings run $135,000 to $200,000 with a median of $160,000, from 36 listings, the larger of the two tiers. Technical leadership, architecture and platform ownership are what reach the upper end. Network engineering at $152,000 and data analysis at $130,000 are the adjacent Sydney tech bands.

Other roles in Sydney

Software Engineer salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $160,000 0%
Melbourne $155,000 -3%

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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.