Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Cloud Architect vs Software Engineer salary

In Australia, a cloud architect earns about 96% more than a software engineer $276,201 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

Pays more
Technology
Cloud Architect
$276,201/yr
Monthly
$23,040
Hourly
$133
Range
$171,827$403,822
10-yr outlook
+24%
Technology
Software Engineer
$140,876/yr
Monthly
$11,728
Hourly
$68
Range
$90,147$202,848
10-yr outlook
+17%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileCloud ArchitectSoftware Engineer
Entry (10th)$171,827$90,147
25th$224,014$115,546
Median$276,201$140,876
75th$339,976$171,897
Senior (90th)$403,822$202,848

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

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a cloud architect or software engineer earn more in Australia?
A cloud architect earns more, at about $398,000 per year vs $203,000 for a software engineer — roughly 96% ($195,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A cloud architect typically earns $247,600–$581,900, while a software engineer earns $129,900–$292,300 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a cloud architect averages about $33,200 and a software engineer about $16,900.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a cloud architect earns about $247,600 while a software engineer earns about $129,900 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a cloud architect earns about $581,900 while a software engineer earns about $292,300 per year.
Are cloud architect and software 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.