Mechatronics Engineer Salary: What to Expect When Reading Job Ads

What does "mechatronics engineer salary" mean?

When you search for a mechatronics engineer salary, you're usually looking at job ads or trying to compare an offer. Mechatronics engineering blends mechanical, electrical, electronic, and software engineering to design intelligent systems like robots and automated machinery. The Australian Bureau of Statistics classifies it as Occupation 243937 under the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (). But that classification doesn't include earnings data, so we need to look at related occupations.

Using the Salary Index to make sense of offers

The Salary Index sets 100 as the national line for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings: $108,352 a year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Any number above 100 means above-average pay; below 100 means below. This helps you compare a mechatronics engineer salary across different states, industries, or experience levels without getting lost in dollar figures.

What the data says about mechatronics engineer pay

The most relevant public data comes from Jobs and Skills Australia. They report median full-time weekly earnings of $2,614 for Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers (ANZSCO 2335). That works out to about $135,928 a year, giving an index of 125. This group includes mechanical engineers, industrial engineers, and production engineers. Mechatronics engineers aren't listed separately, but the skills overlap enough to use this as a rough benchmark.

Caveats to keep in mind

• The $2,614 figure is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It excludes part-time workers and managers.
• Mechatronics is a niche field; salaries might be higher or lower depending on demand for robotics and automation skills.
• The data is from May 2025, so it's a couple of years old. Wages have moved since then, especially with the 4.75% increase to award minima from July 2026.

Reading a job ad: what to look for

When you see a mechatronics engineer salary in an ad, check whether it's base salary or total package (including super). The index is based on base earnings before super. If the ad says "$130,000 package", the base is roughly $116,071 (assuming 12% super). That gives an index of 107, which is below the 125 benchmark. A base of $140,000 gives an index of 129.

State and industry differences

Your mechatronics engineer salary will also depend on where you work. The states page shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. If you're comparing an offer in Perth vs Hobart, the index helps normalise the difference. Similarly, industries like Mining (index 154.7) pay much more than Retail (75.9). Mechatronics engineers often work in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (index 114.7), Manufacturing, or Mining.

Award coverage and minimums

Mechatronics engineers may be covered by the Manufacturing Award or the Professional Employees Award. The Fair Work Commission publishes minimum rates in the Modern Awards Pay Database. For example, a Level 1 engineer under the Professional Employees Award might have a minimum rate around $30–$35 per hour, but most mechatronics engineers earn well above that. The national minimum wage from July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (index 48.2), so any professional engineering role should be significantly higher.

Putting it together: comparing two offers

Let's say you have two job ads:

• Offer A: Mechatronics engineer in Sydney, base $125,000, plus 12% super. Index = 125,000 / 108,352 × 100 = 115.
• Offer B: Same role in Brisbane, base $130,000, plus 12% super. Index = 130,000 / 108,352 × 100 = 120.

At first glance, Offer B pays more. But check the state index: NSW is 101.2, QLD is 97.9. After adjusting for cost of living (not directly part of the index, but a useful lens), the real purchasing power might be similar. The index gives you a common language to discuss pay.

What about super and tax?

Super guarantee is 12% from July 2026, and the maximum contribution base is $270,830. Your mechatronics engineer salary will likely be under that cap. For tax, the 2026–27 rates apply: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. If your base is $135,928 (the benchmark), your take-home after tax and Medicare (ignoring HELP or other deductions) is roughly $98,000. That's an index of 90 on a take-home basis.

Where to find more help

For a deeper dive into how the index works, see how the index works. If you're comparing offers across different roles, the topics page has guides on negotiating and understanding pay structures. And if you need award-specific rates, the pay guides section explains how to read modern awards.

Final thoughts

A mechatronics engineer salary in Australia is likely above the national average, with the broader engineering category sitting at index 125. But because the occupation is specialised, your actual offer could be higher or lower. Use the index to compare apples with apples, and always check what's included in the advertised figure. The data from Jobs and Skills Australia and the ABS gives you a solid starting point, but don't rely on a single number. Talk to recruiters, look at multiple ads, and consider the whole package.