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Australia
Software Developer salary guide Australia 2026
The median Software Developer salary in Australia is $131,000, with pay generally ranging from $78,000 at entry level to $158,000 for senior Software Developers.
Overview
What does a Software Developer earn?
The median salary of Software Developers in Australia is $131,000. Most roles sit within a typical range of $104,000–$158,000, moving from $78,000 for early-career Software Developers up to $158,000 for senior Software Developers. Holding a degree in Software Engineering or mastering high-demand cloud architectures can significantly increase your earning potential.
Optional — pick a state first
Median for Software Developer, nationally across Australia.
10th $104,000
25th $131,000
50th (median) $158,000
75th $182,000
90th
Figures above update by state/city. For a full breakdown by seniority, see the table below.
Location
Software Developer salary by city
Sydney offers the highest Software Developer salaries among Australia's major cities, at around $107,000. Not far behind, Perth presents strong remuneration packages of $104,000; competitive rates also extend across other major tech hubs.
What drives salary
Factors that affect Software Developer pay
Your take-home pay as a Software Developer reflects several key capabilities. Specialised architecture skills and sector background can shift your market value considerably.
Engineers skilled in microservices architecture or event-driven systems command higher pay, as businesses rely on scalable platforms to handle rapid growth.
Building software for fintech or healthcare demands strict adherence to data protection and compliance, which attracts premium compensation.
Credentials in major cloud platforms like AWS or Azure demonstrate that you can deploy and maintain production code securely.
While focused back-end knowledge is valuable, Software Developers who can comfortably navigate the entire stack often secure broader responsibilities and higher rates.
Engineering teams increasingly reward Software Developers who incorporate modern AI workflows into their daily practice, as this directly lifts delivery quality.
Comparison
How Software Developers compare to related roles
A Software Developer typically earns on par with a Front End Software Developer, whereas a Full Stack Software Developer commands higher pay to reflect broader systems ownership. Compared to a Quality Assurance Engineer, a Software Developer usually earns more, though transitioning into a DevOps Software Developer role offers an even higher ceiling as infrastructure complexity grows.
| Role | Range | Relative | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| DevOps Engineer | $120,000–$174,000 | $145,000 | |
| Software Developer You are here | $104,000–$158,000 | $131,000 | |
| Full Stack Software Developer | $103,000–$143,000 | $122,000 | |
| Front End Software Developer | $96,000–$138,000 | $120,000 | |
| Quality Assurance Engineer | $84,000–$140,000 | $110,000 |
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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