Software Engineering salaries, 2026
3 to 6% salary growth across the discipline
Selective growth with a clear split between commodity and specialised skills. TypeScript, Node and Python carry a 5 to 10% premium for AI and ML work. React stays highly valued, PHP is declining. Contract rates down 10 to 15%.
9 titles, base salary
AUD per year, before super. The bar shows each range on the same scale as the whole guide ($70k to $450k). The day rate is the guide's own formula, annual × 1.35 ÷ 220, on the midpoint. Treat it as a floor, not a market rate.
Title and rangeMinimum day rate
Chief Technology Officer$230k–$325k
$1,710/dayHead of Engineering$227k–$325k
$1,690/dayChief / Distinguished Engineer$208k–$276k
$1,490/dayEngineering Manager$200k–$230k
$1,320/dayPrincipal / Staff Engineer$185k–$256k
$1,360/dayTech Lead$181k–$240k
$1,290/daySenior Software Engineer$150k–$224k
$1,150/daySoftware Engineer$110k–$171k
$870/dayGraduate Engineer$87k–$98k
$570/dayLive Software Engineering roles
Technical Director - Software Engineering, New. SydneyUp to $320k baseRecruiter: Sam.Net Technical Lead, New. Sydney$140k–$145k + superRecruiter: Sam
Likely desk for this area
Figures as tekFinder publishes them (2026 Salary Guide and Market Report), read 23 October 2026.