Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

AI Engineer vs Systems Administrator salary

In Australia, a ai engineer earns about 7% more than a systems administrator — $146,428 vs $136,712 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is AUD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Technology
AI Engineer
$146,428/yr
Monthly
$12,214
Hourly
$70
Range
$87,093–$218,879
10-yr outlook
+40%
Technology
Systems Administrator
$136,712/yr
Monthly
$11,381
Hourly
$66
Range
$94,866–$187,858
10-yr outlook
+4%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileAI EngineerSystems Administrator
Entry (10th)$87,093$94,866
25th$116,795$115,824
Median$146,428$136,712
75th$182,653$162,250
Senior (90th)$218,879$187,858

National Australia figures in AUD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Technology comparisons

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Frequently asked questions

Does a ai engineer or systems administrator earn more in Australia?
A ai engineer earns more, at about $211,000 per year vs $197,000 for a systems administrator — roughly 7% ($14,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A ai engineer typically earns $125,500–$315,400, while a systems administrator earns $136,700–$270,700 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a ai engineer averages about $17,600 and a systems administrator about $16,400.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a ai engineer earns about $125,500 while a systems administrator earns about $136,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a ai engineer earns about $315,400 while a systems administrator earns about $270,700 per year.
Are ai engineer and systems administrator similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.