Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Data Engineer vs Network Engineer salary

In Australia, a data engineer earns about 33% more than a network engineer $215,825 vs $162,389 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
Data Engineer
$215,825/yr
Monthly
$17,974
Hourly
$104
Range
$138,100$310,760
10-yr outlook
+30%
Technology
Network Engineer
$162,389/yr
Monthly
$13,532
Hourly
$78
Range
$109,786$226,720
10-yr outlook
+5%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileData EngineerNetwork Engineer
Entry (10th)$138,100$109,786
25th$176,963$136,088
Median$215,825$162,389
75th$263,293$194,520
Senior (90th)$310,760$226,720

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

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a data engineer or network engineer earn more in Australia?
A data engineer earns more, at about $311,000 per year vs $234,000 for a network engineer — roughly 33% ($77,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A data engineer typically earns $199,000–$447,800, while a network engineer earns $158,200–$326,700 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about $25,900 and a network engineer about $19,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a data engineer earns about $199,000 while a network engineer earns about $158,200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a data engineer earns about $447,800 while a network engineer earns about $326,700 per year.
Are data engineer and network 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.