Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Backend Developer vs Site Reliability Engineer salary

In Australia, a site reliability engineer earns about 74% more than a backend developer — $245,666 vs $140,876 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

Technology
Backend Developer
$140,876/yr
Monthly
$11,728
Hourly
$68
Range
$90,147–$202,848
10-yr outlook
+16%
Pays more
Technology
Site Reliability Engineer
$245,666/yr
Monthly
$20,472
Hourly
$118
Range
$152,812–$359,130
10-yr outlook
+22%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileBackend DeveloperSite Reliability Engineer
Entry (10th)$90,147$152,812
25th$115,546$199,239
Median$140,876$245,666
75th$171,897$302,433
Senior (90th)$202,848$359,130

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

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Frequently asked questions

Does a backend developer or site reliability engineer earn more in Australia?
A site reliability engineer earns more, at about $354,000 per year vs $203,000 for a backend developer — roughly 74% ($151,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A backend developer typically earns $129,900–$292,300, while a site reliability engineer earns $220,200–$517,500 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a backend developer averages about $16,900 and a site reliability engineer about $29,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a backend developer earns about $129,900 while a site reliability engineer earns about $220,200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a backend developer earns about $292,300 while a site reliability engineer earns about $517,500 per year.
Are backend developer and site reliability engineer 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.