Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Civil Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer salary

In Australia, a mechanical engineer earns about 1% more than a civil engineer $117,281 vs $115,893 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

Engineering
Civil Engineer
$115,893/yr
Monthly
$9,646
Hourly
$56
Range
$79,390$160,516
10-yr outlook
+8%
Pays more
Engineering
Mechanical Engineer
$117,281/yr
Monthly
$9,785
Hourly
$56
Range
$80,362$162,459
10-yr outlook
+10%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileCivil EngineerMechanical Engineer
Entry (10th)$79,390$80,362
25th$97,642$98,821
Median$115,893$117,281
75th$138,170$139,835
Senior (90th)$160,516$162,459

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

More Engineering comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a civil engineer or mechanical engineer earn more in Australia?
A mechanical engineer earns more, at about $169,000 per year vs $167,000 for a civil engineer — roughly 1% ($2,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A civil engineer typically earns $114,400–$231,300, while a mechanical engineer earns $115,800–$234,100 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a civil engineer averages about $13,900 and a mechanical engineer about $14,100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a civil engineer earns about $114,400 while a mechanical engineer earns about $115,800 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a civil engineer earns about $231,300 while a mechanical engineer earns about $234,100 per year.
Are civil engineer and mechanical engineer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Engineering 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.