Salary guide · AU
Software Engineer salary in Sydney: can you afford rent?
A Software Engineer in Sydney typically earns A$96,000–A$256,000/year, with a median around A$152,000/year. Median 1-bedroom rent is A$2,900/month.
Affordability verdict
At a typical Software Engineer salary of A$152,000/year, spending on median Sydney rent (A$2,900/mo) would take up 23% of gross income. That's within the recommended 30% threshold — a comfortable situation.
Software Engineer salary range in Sydney
A$96,000
Entry level
lower quartile
A$152,000
Typical
median estimate
A$256,000
Experienced
upper quartile
Software engineers design, build, and maintain applications and systems software. Figures are gross annual salary estimates for Sydney.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford?
Rent landscape in Sydney
A$1,800
Budget
cheapest 10%
A$2,900
Median
most common
A$4,800
Premium
top 10%
1-bedroom equivalent. NSW Rental Bond Board + ABS CPI private rent component 2024 (note: ABS SIH 2023-24 cancelled Jul 2025 due to data quality; next SIH: 2025-26, results expected 2027) · 2023–2024
Frequently asked questions
What does a Software Engineer earn in Sydney?
A Software Engineer in Sydney typically earns between A$96,000 and A$256,000/year, with a median around A$152,000/year. Salaries vary by experience, employer, and sector.
Can a Software Engineer afford to live in Sydney?
At a typical Software Engineer salary of A$152,000/year, median Sydney rent (A$2,900/month) takes up 23% of gross income — within the recommended 30% threshold. Budget options in Sydney start around A$1,800/month.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford in Sydney?
On a median Software Engineer salary of A$152,000/year, the recommended 30% rent budget is A$3,800/month. Compared to Sydney's median rent of A$2,900/month, this means median-priced accommodation is within reach.
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