Where senior software engineer pay sits against the national line
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 a week, or $108,352 a year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. This is the line that Average line uses as its benchmark. For a senior software engineer, pay is often above this figure, but the exact amount depends on several variables.
The ABS does not publish a dedicated salary for “senior software engineer”. The closest occupation classification is Software Engineers (ANZSCO 261313), but the median weekly earnings for that group are not available because the sample size is too small for a reliable estimate. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile notes that median earnings are “N/A” for this reason.
What we do know is the average for all Professionals: $2,049.60 a week in May 2025 (ABS Employee Earnings and Hours), which works out to about $106,579 a year. That is just below the national full-time average. However, senior software engineers typically earn more than the professional average because they have several years of experience and often work in high-paying industries such as IT services, finance, or mining.
How the averages are built
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings figure of $108,352 is the mean ordinary-time earnings for full-time adults, before tax. It includes all industries and all states. The full-time median (the middle point) is lower at about $90,532 a year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). These medians show that many full-time workers earn less than the average, which is pulled up by high earners.
For a senior software engineer, a salary above $108,352 would place you above the national average. Many senior roles in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra exceed that threshold, especially in companies that compete for top talent.
What moves pay above or below the average
Experience and seniority
“Senior” implies several years of experience and often leadership responsibilities. The ABS data for Software Engineers shows that 92% work full-time and the median age is 37. More experienced engineers command higher pay. A senior engineer with 10+ years may earn $130,000–$160,000, while a lead or principal engineer can exceed $180,000. These figures are not published by the ABS but are commonly reported in industry surveys.
Location
State full-time averages vary significantly. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest average at $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825 and New South Wales at $109,658. Victoria is $106,137, Queensland $106,064, South Australia $102,450, Tasmania $96,008, and the Northern Territory $103,173. A senior software engineer in Canberra or Perth is more likely to be above the national average than one in Hobart. You can compare state averages on our States and territories page.
Industry
Software engineers work across many industries. The ABS reports that the Mining industry has the highest average hourly earnings at $74.10, followed by Electricity, gas, water and waste services at $63.80. Professionals overall average $64.50 per hour. Senior software engineers in mining or finance often earn well above the national average, while those in government or education may be closer to it.
Company size and negotiation
Larger companies and multinationals tend to pay more. Individual arrangement is the most common method of setting pay (38.5% of employees), meaning salaries are often negotiated. A senior software engineer who negotiates effectively can push their pay above the average. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week, so even junior roles are far above the floor.
How to see where your salary sits
You can Place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average, the median, and the minimum wage. The tool also shows the weekly and hourly equivalents based on a 38-hour week. If you want to see how your occupation compares to others, visit our Job medians page, which draws on ABS data for full-time non-managerial employees.
A note on the data
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey is published twice a year, for May and November. The latest release is May 2026. The Employee Earnings and Hours survey is annual, most recently for May 2025. Medians come from that survey. The national minimum wage is set by Fair Work and updated each July. All figures are before tax. For tax, the 2026–27 resident rates apply: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that, plus the 2% Medicare levy.
Summary
A senior software engineer salary in Australia is typically above the national full-time average of $108,352, especially in high-paying states and industries. The ABS does not provide a precise figure for this role, but the professional average of $106,579 is a useful benchmark. Experience, location, industry, and negotiation are the main factors that move pay above or below the line.