Salary for Senior-level / Expert Software Engineer in Australia during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Software Engineer salary lies between USD 160,000 and USD 270,000 in Australia. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Jan. 12, 2025

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Software Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Software Engineer job listings are Engineering, Python and Machine Learning. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Engineering | 5622 jobs Python | 5457 jobs Machine Learning | 4719 jobs Computer Science | 4091 jobs Architecture | 3281 jobs AWS | 2706 jobs Java | 2663 jobs Testing | 2508 jobs Security | 2432 jobs Pipelines | 2090 jobs Kubernetes | 1997 jobs APIs | 1953 jobs SQL | 1713 jobs Azure | 1704 jobs Research | 1643 jobs Agile | 1624 jobs GCP | 1544 jobs Privacy | 1457 jobs Docker | 1435 jobs Distributed Systems | 1434 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Software Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Software Engineer job listings are Career development, Equity / stock options and Health care. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 5417 jobs Equity / stock options | 3221 jobs Health care | 3080 jobs Startup environment | 1922 jobs Competitive pay | 1902 jobs Salary bonus | 1833 jobs Flex hours | 1735 jobs Medical leave | 1650 jobs Flex vacation | 1584 jobs Insurance | 1413 jobs Parental leave | 1365 jobs Team events | 1163 jobs 401(k) matching | 999 jobs Wellness | 738 jobs Relocation support | 457 jobs Fertility benefits | 404 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 357 jobs Home office stipend | 335 jobs Transparency | 332 jobs Flexible spending account | 309 jobs

Salary Composition

In Australia, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Software Engineer specializing in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a mix of fixed salary, bonuses, and additional remuneration. The fixed salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, ranging from 70% to 85%. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or tied to company profits, usually account for 10% to 20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech startups or larger tech companies, and can make up 5% to 10% of the total package. The exact composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech companies in major cities like Sydney or Melbourne might offer higher base salaries and stock options, while companies in other regions might focus more on bonuses.

Next Steps to Increase Salary

To increase your salary further from this position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Deepen your expertise in a niche area of AI/ML, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning. Specialized skills are often in high demand and can command higher salaries.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as AI/ML team lead or head of data science, which typically offer higher compensation.
• Networking and Industry Engagement: Engage with industry events, conferences, and professional networks to increase your visibility and open up opportunities for higher-paying roles.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML. Pursuing advanced certifications or courses can enhance your skill set and make you more valuable to employers.

Educational Requirements

For a Senior-level or Expert Software Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science, a strong educational background is often required. Most positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, or a related field. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is highly preferred, especially for roles that involve research or advanced algorithm development. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of complex concepts and demonstrate a commitment to the field.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can be beneficial in demonstrating expertise and commitment to the field. Some common and respected certifications include:

• Certified Machine Learning Professional (CMLP)
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

These certifications can help validate your skills and knowledge, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level or Expert Software Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science is expected to have at least 5 to 10 years of experience in software engineering, with a significant portion of that time focused on AI/ML projects. Experience in leading projects, mentoring junior engineers, and a proven track record of successful AI/ML implementations are often required. Experience in specific industries, such as finance, healthcare, or technology, can also be advantageous.

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