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Data Engineer Salary in Australia: State and Industry Differences
Understand how data engineer salary compares to the national line using state and industry indices. No precise figure exists, but benchmarks show it likely sits above average.
Data engineer salaries are not explicitly reported by Australian statistical agencies, but based on industry and state benchmarks, they likely sit well above the national index of 100, particularly in high-paying industries like mining and professional services.
Data engineer salary: what the official data tells us
If you're trying to pin down a data engineer salary in Australia, you'll quickly find that no single government source publishes a neat figure for this role. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports earnings by broad occupation groups and industries, but 'data engineer' isn't a standalone category in the Occupation Standard Classification of Australia (OSCA) yet. That doesn't mean we're in the dark. By combining industry and state benchmarks from the ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia, you can place a data engineer's pay against the national line.
The national line and the salary index
The Salary Index uses the ABS's average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults as its baseline. As of May 2026, that figure is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year. That's index 100. If your yearly gross salary divided by $108,352 times 100 gives you a number above 100, you're above the national average. For example, the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry – where many data engineers work – has an index of 114.7, meaning typical earnings are 14.7% above the line. The Mining industry index is 154.7, the highest of any sector.
State differences matter
Where you work changes the picture. The states page shows indices from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT. Western Australia sits at 106.9, driven by mining. A data engineer in Perth working for a mining company could reasonably expect an index well above 150, while one in Hobart in professional services might be closer to 100 or slightly above. These are benchmarks, not quotes, but they give a realistic range.
Industry context for data engineers
Data engineers are most commonly found in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry (index 114.7), Information Media and Telecommunications (index not given but likely similar), and Mining (154.7). The ABS's Employee Earnings and Hours data (August 2025) shows that managers and professionals have the highest hourly earnings – $69.20 and $64.50 respectively. Data engineers fall under the professional umbrella. The median weekly earnings for all employees was $1,436, but full-time professionals earn significantly more. The industries page can help you compare.
Awards, super and tax
Most data engineers are not covered by a modern award; they work under individual contracts or enterprise agreements. However, the Professional Employees Award 2020 sets minimums for some IT roles. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, but a data engineer would earn many times that. Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, on earnings up to $270,830 per quarter. For tax, the 2026–27 rates are: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Add the 2% Medicare levy. A data engineer earning $130,000 would pay about $27,000 in tax plus Medicare, leaving around $103,000 take-home.
Putting it together
Without a precise data engineer salary from the ABS or Fair Work Commission, you have to triangulate. Use the industry and state indices as a starting point. If you're a data engineer in Sydney (NSW index 101.2) working in professional services (index 114.7), your salary index might be around 115–120. In Perth (WA index 106.9) in mining (154.7), it could be 150 or higher. The how the index works page explains the calculation in detail.
What the official sources say
The ABS's Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) gives the national line. The Employee Earnings and Hours survey (August 2025) shows median weekly earnings of $1,425 for all employees in their main job, up 1.9% from the previous year. Jobs and Skills Australia's Occupation and Industry Profiles (February 2026) lists median weekly full-time earnings across all occupations at $1,852. For data engineers, the closest industry benchmark is Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database (updated October 2026) includes minimum rates for awards that may cover some data engineer roles, but most are above award.
A note on casual and contract work
The ABS reports that 19% of employees are casual, and 7.6% are independent contractors. Data engineers are often hired as permanent employees, but contract rates can be higher. Casual loading (25% on top of the minimum wage) applies if covered by an award. For a data engineer on a contract, the salary index comparison still works: divide your annualised gross by $108,352 and multiply by 100.
Final thoughts
While a precise data engineer salary isn't published, the combination of state and industry indices gives you a reliable framework. Use the topics page to explore more roles. Remember that the index is a benchmark for ordinary-time earnings, not a guarantee. Your actual pay depends on your skills, employer, and negotiation. But with the national line at $108,352 and industry indices ranging from 72.5 (accommodation) to 154.7 (mining), a data engineer's salary is almost certainly above average.
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Questions people ask
What is the average data engineer salary in Australia?
No official Australian government source publishes a specific average data engineer salary. However, data engineers typically work in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry, which has an earnings index of 114.7 (14.7% above the national line of $108,352 per year). Those in the mining industry (index 154.7) or in high-index states like the ACT (109.9) or WA (106.9) may earn more. For a personalised benchmark, use the [Salary Index](/).
How does data engineer salary compare to the national average?
Based on industry indices, a data engineer in professional services likely earns above the national average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70. The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services index of 114.7 suggests earnings around $124,000 per year before tax. In contrast, the national minimum wage index is 48.2 ($52,255 per year). Data engineers are highly skilled professionals, so their pay is expected to be well above the minimum. See [industries](/industries) for more benchmarks.
What factors affect data engineer salary in Australia?
Key factors include industry (mining pays highest index 154.7, professional services 114.7), state (ACT and WA have higher indices), experience, and whether the role is covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026. Tax rates for 2026–27 range from nil up to $18,200 to 45% above $190,000, plus 2% Medicare levy. For more on state differences, visit [states](/states).