Data Engineer
Salary in Melbourne
A$71K–A$222K across all experience levels. Updated 2025.
VIC, Australia
Senior Data Engineer · Median
A$145K
Base salary · 5–8 years experience
Total comp median: A$208K
Salary by experience level — Melbourne
Melbourne is Australia's second-largest tech hub with strong fintech (ANZ, NAB), e-commerce (REA Group, MYOB), and a rapidly growing startup scene. Slightly lower salaries than Sydney but comparable cost of living.
A$85K
median base salary
A$113K
median base salary
A$145K
median base salary
A$187K
median base salary
| Level | Experience | 25th %ile | Median | 75th %ile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0–2 yrs | A$71K | A$85K | A$98K |
| Mid Level | 3–5 yrs | A$95K | A$113K | A$131K |
| Senior | 5–8 yrs | A$123K | A$145K | A$170K |
| Staff / Principal | 8+ yrs | A$156K | A$187K | A$222K |
Base salary in AUD. Data reflects 2025 compensation benchmarks from Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and Zari platform data.
Senior Data Engineer · Total Compensation
A$208K
Median total comp (base + equity + bonus)
Total comp range
Negotiation opportunity
A$47K
Gap between 25th and 75th percentile for senior Data Engineer in Melbourne
Most candidates who don't negotiate land at the 25th percentile. Strong negotiation moves you toward the 75th — a difference of A$47K per year.
How to negotiate a Data Engineer offer in Melbourne
The difference between the 25th and 75th percentile is A$47K/year — and it comes down to this conversation.
Anchor above the median
Open at A$170K — the 75th percentile. This gives you room to "meet in the middle" at or above the median. Never give a range; ranges get taken at the low end.
Use competing offers as leverage
A competing offer — even from a less preferred employer — is the single most powerful negotiating tool in Melbourne. Get at least one before negotiating.
Negotiate total comp, not just base
Base salary is often the hardest component to move. Signing bonus and equity are frequently more flexible. In Melbourne, a A$16K signing bonus has the same year-1 value.
Never accept on the call
Ask for the offer in writing and follow up in 24–48 hours. This creates space to counter without pressure. No legitimate employer rescinds an offer because a candidate asked for review time.