Salary Guide

Electrical Engineer salary guide Australia 2026

The median Electrical Engineer salary in Australia is $120,000, with pay ranging from $83,000 at entry level to $148,000 for senior professionals.

What does an Electrical Engineer earn?

The median salary of Electrical Engineers in Australia is $120,000. Salaries typically sit within $95,000–$148,000, shifting upward as you gain chartership or specialised technical expertise. Early-career positions start around $83,000, while highly experienced practitioners can secure upwards of $148,000 across heavy industry and energy projects.

Optional — pick a state first

$120,000

Median for Electrical Engineer, nationally across Australia.

Median $120,000
$77,000
10th
$95,000
25th
$120,000
50th (median)
$148,000
75th
$179,000
90th

Figures above update by state/city. For a full breakdown by seniority, see the table below.

Junior
$83,000/yr
Mid Level
$115,000/yr
Senior Level
$148,000/yr

Electrical Engineer salary by city

Brisbane offers the highest Electrical Engineer salaries among Australia's major cities, at around $131,000. This is closely followed by Sydney at $125,000, where ongoing industrial and commercial development continues to drive strong hiring competition.

Brisbane Highest
$131,000
Sydney
$125,000
Perth
$125,000
Melbourne
$119,000
Adelaide
$113,000

Factors that affect Electrical Engineer pay

Your earning capacity as an Electrical Engineer depends on where and how you apply your skills. Specialised technical credentials and sector demand play the largest roles in moving pay brackets.

Professional registration and chartership

Holding Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status or National Engineering Register (NER) accreditation signals proven competence. In Queensland, Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) registration is a legal requirement to sign off on projects, which commands a noticeable salary premium.

High voltage and power systems expertise

Specialising in high voltage (HV) network design and low voltage (LV) infrastructure increases market demand for your skills. Employers value Engineers who navigate complex distribution grids alongside strict safety requirements.

Renewable energy and grid transition

Experience with utility-scale solar farms and energy storage projects attracts elevated compensation. As Australia transitions its power grid, organisations actively reward Engineers with clean-energy project backgrounds.

Heavy industry and mining exposure

Engineers working across mining operations and remote infrastructure sites generally earn higher rates. These roles involve harsh operating conditions and sophisticated industrial machinery.

Standards compliance and project leadership

A deep working knowledge of AS/NZS standards paired with multidisciplinary team coordination pushes salaries higher. Delivering complex works on time while managing client expectations makes experienced talent especially valuable.

How Electrical Engineers compare to related roles

An Electrical Engineer typically earns in line with a Mechanical Engineer or Civil Engineer, though specialised high-voltage and renewable grid roles command a clear premium. Against a Structural Engineer or Systems Engineer, Electrical Engineers often achieve higher earnings once they move into lead technical design.

Role Range Relative Median
Electrical Engineer You are here $95,000–$148,000
$120,000
Systems Engineer $91,000–$142,000
$114,000
Mechanical Engineer $89,000–$136,000
$110,000
Civil Engineer $88,000–$140,000
$110,000
Structural Engineer $90,000–$131,000
$108,000

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Employment Hero Job Data

Salary figures are derived from Employment Hero proprietary data. All figures represent base salary only and exclude bonuses, superannuation and other benefits. Last updated October 2026.

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Salary details

Quick salary facts
Typical range$95,000–$148,000
Junior$83,000
Mid level$115,000
Senior level$148,000
Top cityBrisbane ($131,000)
Systems Engineer Mechanical Engineer Civil Engineer Structural Engineer