Senior software engineer salary: state and industry differences in Australia

Senior software engineer salary: what the data says

If you're looking for a single number for a senior software engineer salary in Australia, the honest answer is that no official median exists. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia group software engineers under the occupation Software Engineers (ANZSCO 261313), and the median weekly earnings for that group are not published. That doesn't mean we can't make sense of pay – it just means we need to look at the broader picture of state and industry differences.

Where senior software engineers fit in the pay landscape

Software engineers are classified as Professionals. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average weekly total cash earnings for all Professionals in May 2025 was $2,049.60. Annualised, that's about $106,579 – an index of 98.4 against the national line of $108,352. But that average includes everyone from graduate analysts to chief technology officers. A senior software engineer, with several years of experience and technical leadership, will almost certainly earn above that average.

More relevant are the industries where software engineers cluster. The ABS reports average weekly earnings for Information media and telecommunications at $2,304.80 (annualised ~$119,850, index 110.6) and for Professional, scientific and technical services at $2,072.40 (annualised ~$107,765, index 99.5). Financial and insurance services also pay well at $2,181.20 weekly (annualised ~$113,422, index 104.7). These are the sectors that hire the most software engineers, and they tend to pay above the national line.

State differences matter

Where you work in Australia has a real impact on your senior software engineer salary. The Salary Index shows state benchmarks based on full-time adult ordinary-time earnings:

• New South Wales: index 101.2 (annualised $109,658)
• Victoria: index 98.0 ($106,137)
• Queensland: index 97.9 ($106,064)
• South Australia: index 94.6 ($102,450)
• Western Australia: index 106.9 ($115,825)
• Tasmania: index 88.6 ($96,008)
• Northern Territory: index 95.2 ($103,173)
• Australian Capital Territory: index 109.9 ($119,090)

A senior software engineer in Western Australia or the ACT can expect a higher baseline than one in Tasmania or South Australia. But these are state-wide averages across all occupations. The tech industry in Sydney and Melbourne often pays above the state average, especially in fintech and enterprise software.

Industry differences amplify the effect

Industry is perhaps the biggest factor. The Salary Index for key industries:

• Mining: 154.7 (but few software engineers)
• Information media and telecommunications: 118.0 (based on ABS data)
• Professional, scientific and technical services: 114.7
• Financial and insurance services: 109.8
• Education and training: 105.5
• Health care and social assistance: 97.8
• Retail trade: 75.9

A senior software engineer working for a bank or a tech consultancy will likely earn more than one in a university or a retail company. The index helps you see the gap: a role in Professional services at index 114.7 is about 15% above the national line, while retail at 75.9 is 24% below.

How most senior software engineers are paid

According to the ABS, 38.5% of all employees have their pay set by individual arrangement – that's the most common method. Only 22.7% are on award-only rates. For software engineers, awards are rare; most are on individual contracts or collective agreements. That means your salary depends heavily on negotiation, company size, and location. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database does not list a specific classification for senior software engineer, confirming that award rates are not the norm.

Using the Salary Index to compare

The Salary Index is a simple tool: take the annual gross salary, divide by $108,352, and multiply by 100. That gives you a number you can compare against state and industry benchmarks. For example, a $140,000 offer gives an index of 129.2. If you're in Victoria (state index 98.0) and working in Professional services (industry index 114.7), an index of 129.2 suggests you're well above the typical pay for that combination.

Remember, the index is based on ordinary-time earnings, not total package. It doesn't include superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026) or bonuses. To estimate take-home pay, subtract tax (using the 2026–27 rates: nil to $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800, 30% on the next $90,000, 37% on the next $55,000, 45% above $190,000) plus a 2% Medicare levy. For a $140,000 salary, the tax estimate is about $31,738 plus Medicare $2,800, leaving around $105,462.

What the data doesn't tell you

The biggest caveat: there is no official senior software engineer salary figure. The ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia data groups all software engineers together. A senior role at a top-tier tech company in Sydney can pay $160,000–$200,000, while a mid-level role in a regional area might be $110,000. The state and industry indices give you a framework, but your actual offer depends on the employer, your skills, and the market.

For a deeper dive into how pay varies by location, see the states page. To compare industries, visit industries. And to understand the index methodology, read how the index works.

Final thought

When you're evaluating a senior software engineer salary, don't look for a single number. Look at the state index, the industry index, and how your offer compares. The Salary Index is designed to help you do exactly that – put any pay figure in context against the national line. Use it as a starting point for conversations, not a final answer.