Data Engineer vs QA Engineer salary
In Australia, a data engineer earns about 36% more than a qa engineer — $215,825 vs $158,919 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%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Data Engineer | QA Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $138,100 | $107,427 |
| 25th | $176,963 | $133,173 |
| Median | $215,825 | $158,919 |
| 75th | $263,293 | $190,356 |
| Senior (90th) | $310,760 | $221,863 |
National Australia figures in AUD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a data engineer or qa engineer earn more in Australia?
- A data engineer earns more, at about $311,000 per year vs $229,000 for a qa engineer — roughly 36% ($82,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
- A data engineer typically earns $199,000–$447,800, while a qa engineer earns $154,800–$319,700 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 qa engineer about $19,100.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in Australia, a data engineer earns about $199,000 while a qa engineer earns about $154,800 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in Australia, a data engineer earns about $447,800 while a qa engineer earns about $319,700 per year.
- Are data engineer and qa 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.