Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Data Scientist vs Network Engineer salary

In Australia, a network engineer earns about 11% more than a data scientist $162,389 vs $146,428 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
Data Scientist
$146,428/yr
Monthly
$12,214
Hourly
$70
Range
$91,049$214,090
10-yr outlook
+35%
Pays more
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 ScientistNetwork Engineer
Entry (10th)$91,049$109,786
25th$118,738$136,088
Median$146,428$162,389
75th$180,224$194,520
Senior (90th)$214,090$226,720

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

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a data scientist or network engineer earn more in Australia?
A network engineer earns more, at about $234,000 per year vs $211,000 for a data scientist — roughly 11% ($23,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A data scientist typically earns $131,200–$308,500, 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 scientist averages about $17,600 and a network engineer about $19,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a data scientist earns about $131,200 while a network engineer earns about $158,200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a data scientist earns about $308,500 while a network engineer earns about $326,700 per year.
Are data scientist 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.