Are You Well-Paid? Full Guide on Salaries in New Zealand 2024
Before you move to New Zealand or accept a job offer, it’s crucial to know what earnings perspectives are in your profession. Salaries range widely between professional areas, and you should know the baseline for a successful negotiation. That said, the median income in New Zealand in June 2022 was NZ$57,072 per year or NZ$29.66 per hour.
Salaries in larger cities like Auckland and Wellington tend to be slightly higher because the cost of living there is also higher.
What is a good salary in New Zealand?
Key findings
- National median income from wages and salaries is NZ$1,189 per week or NZ$4,756 or NZ$57,072 per year.
- Median weekly income from wages and salaries increased by NZ$96 (8.8%) to NZ$1,189 from June 2021 to June 2022.
- Median hourly earnings increased by NZ$1.90 to an average of NZ$29.66 per hour.
- Minimum wage was increased to NZ$22.7 per hour in April 2023.
- Highest paying jobs are Information architects, other IT specialists, Quantity surveyors, Finance managers, and, of course, chief executives.
- Income by gender: The gender pay gap in the June 2022 quarter was 9.2%. This means men earned 9.2% more than women.
- 88% of all employers in New Zealand intend to increase salaries for their workers.
Source: www.stats.govt.nz
This article was written with the help of Hays’s Salary Guide for 2022 – 2023; if you want to learn more, check it out here.
Average salary in New Zealand in 2023
In 2022, the average salary in New Zealand, across all industries, was about NZ$1,093 per week or NZ$58,836 per year.
Yet, the median income was NZ$57,072 per annum based on a 40-hour week. Median income indicates a median number between all salaries earned, from highest to lowest, so it’s not the best way to judge wages.
According to the recent salary survey, 37% of all workers in New Zealand are dissatisfied with their salary, while 32% are neutral and 31% are happy with it.
New Zealand also has a minimum wage, where employers are required to pay at least this amount, which is NZ$22.7 per hour, in April 2023.
Salaries range significantly depending on the industry, work experience, and position seniority. Right after graduation, trainees tend to have a higher wage than someone with a degree, but over time, a university degree brings its benefits, and academics earn more.
For instance, someone with a degree often reaches a 67% higher than average salary after ten years of experience.
The data presented below is from Hays’s Salary Guide for 2022 – 2023, see more here.
Did you know that in New Zealand, you can apply for government support via Work and Income if you don’t earn enough?
Salaries across different industries and jobs in 2023
1. Jobs in Accountancy and Finance
Top 5 jobs that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Payroll Officers and Managers
- Senior Financial Accountants
- Commercial Analysts
- Finance Business Partners
- Senior Management Accountants
| City | Managerial positions | CPA | Internal Auditor | Risk Analyst |
| Auckland | NZ$120,000 – 170,000 | NZ$68,000-80,000 | NZ$66,000-87,000 | NZ$71,000-82,000 |
| Wellington | NZ$115,000 – 180,000 | NZ$66,000-82,000 | NZ$71,000-92,000 | NZ$71,000-87,000 |
| Christchurch | NZ$110,000 – 180,000 | NZ$66,000-80,000 | NZ$71,000-92,000 | NZ$71,000-92,000 |
| Job | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Accountant | NZ$71,833/year |
| Accounting Technician | NZ$54,520/year |
| Chartered Accountant | NZ$135,366/year |
| Financial Accountant | NZ$77,639/year |
| Tax Accountant | NZ$68,760/year |
| Financial Advisor | NZ$82,625/year |
| Finance Manager | NZ$112,576/year |
2. Jobs in Architecture
Top 5 jobs that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Project Architects
- Experienced Architectural Graduates
- Revit Technicians
- Registered Architects
- ArchiCAD Technicians
| City | Architect | CAD Manager | Planner | Landscape Architect |
| Auckland | NZ$90,000-130,000 | NZ$120,000-160,000 | NZ$65,000-95,000 | NZ$85,000-120,000 |
| Wellington | NZ$85,000-120,000 | NZ$110,000-140,000 | NZ$65,000-90,000 | NZ$85,000-110,000 |
| Christchurch | NZ$85,000-120,000 | NZ$110,000-130,000 | NZ$65,000-85,000 | NZ$80,000-110,000 |
| Job | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Architect | NZ$79,541/year |
| Graphic Designer | NZ$60,119/year |
| Interior Designer | NZ$58,138/year |
| Landscape Architect | NZ$59,462/year |
3. Jobs in Construction
Top 5 jobs that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Project Managers
- Senior Quantity Surveyors
- Site Managers
- Estimators
- Site Forepersons
Construction Civil
| City | Leading Hand | Project Manager | Site Engineer | Project Engineer | Quantity Surveyor |
| Auckland | NZ$66,000-71,000 | NZ$112,000-163,000 | NZ$67,000-92,000 | NZ$77,000-112,000 | NZ$46,000-97,000 |
| Wellington | NZ$51,000-80,000 | NZ$100,000-150,000 | NZ$61,000-92,000 | NZ$82,000-130,000 | NZ$51,000-92,000 |
| South Island | NZ$65,000-80,000 | NZ$85,000-150,000 | NZ$60,000-90,000 | NZ$80,000-120,000 | NZ$55,000 – 90,000 |
Construction Building
| City | Leading Hand | Project Manager | Site Engineer | Project Engineer | Quantity Surveyor |
| Auckland | NZ$56,000-71,000 | NZ$92,000-204,000 | NZ$66,000-92,000 | NZ$77,000-112,000 | NZ$46,000-97,000 |
| Wellington | NZ$60,000-70,000 | NZ$100,000-150,000 | NZ$60,000-85,000 | NZ$80,000-120,000 | NZ$50,000-95,000 |
| South Island | NZ$62,000-70,000 | NZ$100,000-150,000 | NZ$60,000-90,000 | NZ$80,000-120,000 | NZ$55,000 – 90,000 |
| Job | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Builder | NZ$59,600/year |
| Carpenter | NZ$56,900/year |
| Civil Engineer | NZ$91,800/year |
| Quantity Surveyor | NZ$90,081/year |
| Structural Engineer | NZ$86,513/year |
4. Contact Center jobs
Top jobs that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Customer Service Managers
- Customer Service Representatives
- Outbound Sales & Service
- Inbound Sales & Service
- Workforce Planners
| City | Inbound Service | Account Manager | Senior Customer Service Representative | Supervisor | Contact Center Manager |
| Auckland | NZ$47,000-57,000 | NZ$55,000-75,000 | NZ$58,000-62,000 | NZ$60,000-70,000 | NZ$90,000-115,000 |
| Wellington | NZ$47,000-57,000 | NZ$55,000-75,000 | NZ$58,000-62,000 | NZ$60,000-70,000 | NZ$90,000-115,000 |
| Christchurch | NZ$42,000-46,000 | NZ$51,000-82,000 | NZ$46,000-51,000 | NZ$51,000-56,000 | NZ$71,000-102,000 |
5. Jobs in Human Resources
Top jobs in the Human Resources field that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- HR Business Partners
- Talent Acquisition / Internal Recruiters
- HR Advisors
- HR Coordinators
- Learning & Development Consultants
| Trainer | Recruitment Advisor | HR Admin | Senior HR Business Ptr | HR Manager | Head of HR | |
| New Zealand | NZ$71,000-112,000 | NZ$85,000-120,000 | NZ$55,000-65,000 | NZ$115,000-160,000 | NZ$110,000-143,000 | NZ$180,000-300,000 |
| Job | Average salary |
|---|---|
| HR Administrator | NZ$56,811/year |
| HR Advisor | NZ$91,610/year |
| HR Coordinator | NZ$67,266/year |
| HR Manager | NZ$100,474/year |
| Payroll Administrator | NZ$57,705/year |
6. Jobs in Engineering
Top jobs in engineering that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Intermediate and Senior Structural Engineers
- Intermediate and Senior Civil Engineers
- Intermediate and Senior Mechanical Engineers
- Drafters
- Licensed Cadastral Surveyors
| City | CAD Drafter | CAD Manager | Entry-level Design Engineer | Supervisor | Project Manager | Structural Engineer | Land Surveyor |
| Auckland | NZ$60,000-95,000 | NZ$90,000-130,000 | NZ$58,000-62,000 | NZ$60,000-70,000 | NZ$95,000-120,000 | NZ$95,000-160,000 | NZ$80,000-150,000 |
| Wellington | NZ$60,000-90,000 | NZ$85,000-115,000 | NZ$58,000-62,000 | NZ$60,000-70,000 | NZ$95,000-120,000 | NZ$75,000-155,000 | NZ$75,000-130,000 |
| Christchurch | NZ$55,000-87,000 | NZ$85,000-112,000 | NZ$46,000-51,000 | NZ$51,000-56,000 | NZ$95,000- 115,000 | NZ$65,000-140,000 | NZ$65,000-120,000 |
| Job | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Engineer | NZ$71,083/year |
| Marine Engineer | NZ$68,250/year |
| Electrical Engineer | NZ$79,534/year |
| Mechanical Engineer | NZ$70,794/year |
| Project Engineer | NZ$96,163/year |
7. Jobs in Insurance
Top jobs in Insurance that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Underwriters
- Brokers
- Loss Adjusters
- Claims Handlers
- Broker Support
| Underwriting Assistant | Domestic Claim Assessor | Head of claims | |
| General insurance | NZ$45,000-61,000 | NZ$50,000-66,000 | NZ$90,000-150,000 |
| Life insurance | NZ$45,000-66,000 | NZ$110,000-200,000 |
8. Legal jobs
Top legal jobs that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Commercial corporate Solicitors
- Commercial property Solicitors
- Litigation Solicitors
- Private Client Solicitors Broker Support
| Paralegal | Graduate | Senior Associate | 1-2 years of experience | General Counsel | Lawyer | |
| Auckland | NZ$46,000-70,000 | NZ$48,000-61,000 | NZ$140,000-200,000 | NZ$60,000-75,000 | NZ$220,000+ | NZ$115,000 |
9. Jobs in Logistics
Top Logistics jobs that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Drivers
- Team Lead
- Truck Loaders
- Machine Operators
- Forklift Operators
| Warehouse coordinator | Stock Controller | Storeperson | Driver HR/MR | Mechanic | |
| New Zealand | NZ$60,000-75,000 | NZ$60,000-75,000 | NZ$50,000-60,000 | NZ$60,000-80,000 | NZ$70,000-120,000 |
| Job | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Bus Driver | NZ$57,300/year |
| Pilot | NZ$76,213/year |
| Train Driver | NZ$94,900/year |
| Truck Driver | NZ$65,280/year |
10. Jobs in Manufacturing & Operations
Top Manufacturing & Operations jobs that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Pick Packers
- Warehousing
- Operations Managers
- Forklift Drivers
- Frame & Truss/Joiners
11. Jobs in Marketing & Digital
Top Marketing & Digital jobs that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Search Specialists
- E-commerce Managers
- Marketing Automation Specialists
- Social Media Managers
- Digital Marketing Specialists
| E-commerce Specialist | Marketing Manager | Event Coordinator | Graphic Designer | Ecommerce Specialist | Digital Marketing Executive | Content Writer | |
| New Zealand | NZ$50,000-80,000 | NZ$96,000-137,000 | NZ$52,000-78,000 | NZ$54,000-103,000 | NZ$63,000-97,000 | NZ$69,000-99,000 | NZ$64,000-81,000 |
12. Jobs in Office Support
Top Office Support jobs that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Office Managers
- Administrators
- Personal & Executive Assistants
- Construction Administrators
- Project Coordinators
| City | Administration Assistant | Office Manager | Team Assistant | Receptionist | Project Coordinator |
| Auckland | NZ$50,000-55,000 | NZ$60,000-70,000 | NZ$55,000-60,000 | NZ$48,000-53,000 | NZ$60,000-65,000 |
| Wellington | NZ$50,000-58,000 | NZ$65,000-85,000 | NZ$57,000-64,000 | NZ$48,000-54,000 | NZ$65,000-75,000 |
| Christchurch | NZ$45,000-50,000 | NZ$55,000-70,000 | NZ$46,000-52,000 | NZ$46,000-52,000 | NZ$56,000-66,000 |
13. Jobs in Real Estate
Top 5 Real Estate jobs that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Property Managers
- Valuers
- Property Coordinators
- Asset Managers
- Project Managers
| City | Property Manager 0 – 3 years of experience | Asset Manager | Development Manager | Valuer CPV/RPV |
| Auckland | NZ$61,000-77,000 | NZ$92,000-112,000 | NZ$194,000-265,000 | NZ$56,000-87,000 |
| Wellington | NZ$61,000-77,000 | NZ$82,000-112,000 | NZ$158,000-214,000 | NZ$56,000-87,000 |
| Christchurch | NZ$56,000-71,000 | NZ$82,000-112,000 | NZ$158,000-214,000 | NZ$56,000-87,000 |
14. Jobs in Sales
Top jobs in Sales that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Business Development
- Managers
- Heads of Sales
- Territory Managers
- Key Account Managers
- Sales Executives
| City | Sales Executive | Business Manager | Account Manager |
| Auckland | NZ$56,000-90,000 | NZ$100,000-140,000 | NZ$73,000-95,000 |
| Wellington | NZ$56,000-80,000 | NZ$93,000-130,000 | NZ$69,000-80,000 |
| Christchurch | NZ$51,000-66,000 | NZ$77,000-112,000 | NZ$61,000-82,000 |
15. Jobs in Technology
Top jobs in Technology that New Zealand employers are looking to hire for:
- Project & Program Managers
- Business Analysts
- Senior Software Engineers
- Automation and QA Engineers
- DevOps and Cloud Specialists
| City | Service Desk | Network Administrator | Business Analyst | Developer | Cloud Engineer | Data Analyst |
| Auckland | NZ$50,000-60,000 | NZ$80,000-100,000 | NZ$90,000-120,000 | NZ$95,000-125,000 | NZ$115,000 – 155,000 | NZ$85,000-125,000 |
| Wellington | NZ$55,000-65,000 | NZ$90,000-110,000 | NZ$95,000-110,000 | NZ$90,000-120,000 | NZ$110,000 – 140,000 | NZ$90,000-125,000 |
| Christchurch | NZ$50,000-60,000 | NZ$80,000-100,000 | NZ$90,000-110,000 | NZ$80,000-110,000 | NZ$100,000 – 130,000 | NZ$80,000-120,000 |
Average salary in New Zealand in USD
In 2022 average salary across New Zealand was NZ$58,836 per year, which is US$37,069 annually or US$3,089 monthly.
Average salary per month
The monthly average wage in New Zealand is NZ$4,903.
Average salary per week
The average weekly wage was NZ$1,189 in June 2022. Here is the change in weekly salaries between June 2021 to June 2022 by occupation:
- Managers – up NZ$105 (7.3%) to NZ$1,545
- Professionals (all academic jobs) – up NZ$98 (6.9%) to NZ$1,506
- Technicians and trade workers – up NZ$99 (9%) to NZ$1,199
- Community and personal service workers – up NZ$108 (14%) to NZ$876
- Clerical and administration workers – up NZ$101 (10.1%) to NZ$1,100
- Sales workers – up NZ$73 (9.1%) to NZ$873
- Machinery operators and drivers – up NZ$65 (6.2%) to NZ$1,120
- Labourers – up NZ$88 (10.5%) to NZ$928.
Average salary per hour
The median hourly rate increased by NZ$1.90 (6.8%) to NZ$29.66 from June 2021 to June 2022.
Here is how hourly salary has changed between June 2021 to June 2022 by occupation:
- Managers – up NZ$2.25 (6.6%) to NZ$36.44
- Professionals – up NZ$2.33 (6.5%) to NZ$38.36
- Technicians and trade workers – up NZ$1.40 (5.2%) to NZ$28.40
- Community and personal service workers – up NZ$1.36 (5.7%) to NZ$25.33
- Clerical and administration workers – up NZ$1.88 (7%) to NZ$28.77
- Sales workers – up NZ$1.00 (4.5%) to $23.00
- Machinery operators and drivers – up NZ$1.28 (5.2%) to NZ$26.00
- Labourers – up NZ$1.97 (9%) to NZ$23.97
Average salary after tax
Someone earning an average salary of NZ$58,836 will pay 19.67% in taxes, which is average. Therefore, the net salary will be NZ$47,265 per year or NZ$3,938 per month.
To calculate how much exactly you will get after deducting taxes, visit the official website paye.net.nz.
Current income tax rates in New Zealand (2023):
| Salary (NZ$) | Tax rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $14,000 | 10.5% |
| Over $14,000 and up to $48,000 | 17.5% |
| Over $48,000 and up to $70,000 | 30% |
| Over $70,000 and up to $180,000 | 33% |
| Remaining income over $180,000 | 39% |
Where the salary is better in the UK or in New Zealand?
Income by gender
In New Zealand, the gender pay gap in the June 2022 quarter was 9.2%. Meaning, men earned 9.2% more than women.
This number isn’t that bad if you compare it to other countries like the US, for example, where in 2022, men earned 17% more than women. The gender gap in the US is almost double what it’s in New Zealand.
Minimum wage in New Zealand
From April 2023, the minimum wage in New Zealand is set to NZ$22.7 per hour, which translates to about NZ$3,588 per month. Consequently, even if you earn a minimum wage, you still can afford to pay for the rent and all other basic needs.
Below you can see a chart of how minimum wage has developed in New Zealand over the years:
Lowest and highest paying jobs
It’s no doubt that your job plays a significant role in the income level you have. Here are some of the highest-paying jobs in New Zealand (source: Trademe.co.nz; Seek.co.nz):
- Information architects (IT): NZ$135,000
- Data warehousing and Business Intelligence (IT): NZ$115,000
- Cybersecurity specialists: NZ$105,000
- Construction project and contract management: NZ$105,000
- IT Sales: NZ$105,000
- Finance managers: NZ$100,000
- Database experts: NZ$95,000
- Quantity surveying: NZ$95,000
- Surveying: NZ$95,000
- Test analysts: NZ$95,000
- Architects: NZ$85,000
- Geotechnical engineers: NZ$85,000
- Civil and structural engineers: NZ$85,000
- Commercial property management: NZ$85,000
- Accountants: NZ$75,000
Salaries among typical New Zealand jobs
Here are some typical jobs in New Zealand and their average salaries:
| Job type | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Project Manager | NZ$97,524/year |
| Business Analyst | NZ$81,300/year |
| Pharmacist | NZ$77,400/year |
| Registered Nurse | NZ$75,670/year |
| Accountant | NZ$71,833/year |
| Physiotherapist | NZ$61,430/year |
| Builder | NZ$59,600/year |
| Carpenter | NZ$56,900/year |
| Pharmacy Technician | NZ$47,280/year |
| Dental Assistant | NZ$45,300/year |
| Job | Average salary (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Project Manager | 97,524 |
| Civil Engineer | 91,800 |
| Mechanical Engineer | 70,794 |
| Project Engineer | 96,163 |
| Business Analyst | 81,300 |
| Registered Nurse | 75,670 |
| Data Analyst | 78,965 |
| Software Developer | 88,130 |
| Accountant | 71,833 |
| Professor | 162,344 |
| Primary School Teacher | 75,130 |
| Carpenter | 56,900 |
| Office Manager | 55,833 |
| Receptionist | 44,475 |
| Pharmacy Technician | 47,280 |
| Dental Assistant | 45,300 |
| Gardener | 42,400 |
| Farm Worker | 43,522 |
| Builder | 59,600 |
| Architect | 79,541 |
| Graphic Designer | 60,119 |
| Electrician | 63,100 |
| Plumber | 63,200 |
| Veterinary Nurse | 43,200 |
Which city is the best for jobs in New Zealand? Find out in the article below.
How much does a typical person make in New Zealand?
So, after all this data and information, how much does a typical Kiwi earn? The answer is, as always, it depends. A very typical salary for someone with a university degree, several years of experience, and working in one of the main New Zealand cities is about NZ$80,000.
A trade worker might earn only about NZ$55,000. The majority of all employees and contractors in New Zealand make between NZ$45,000 and NZ$80,000 per year.
Other large groups of workers have the following income:
- NZ$40,000 to NZ$45,000: 146,690 taxpayers
- NZ$45,000 to NZ$50,000: 159,690 taxpayers
- NZ$50,000 to NZ$55,000: 157,590 taxpayers
- NZ$55,000 – NZ$60,000: 145,200 taxpayers
- NZ$60,000 – NZ$65,000: 128,480 taxpayers
- NZ$200,000 and more: 44,030 taxpayers
The majority of higher earners work in main cities like Auckland and Wellington.
Here is the graph of how much all taxpayers in March 2022 made:
Surprisingly, most workers in New Zealand earn less than NZ$10,000 per year. Yet, this data include all taxpayers, even if they work part-time.
Working in New Zealand
New Zealand is facing a significant skills shortage where workers are required across many industries.
Today, 91% of all employers are experiencing a skills shortage. This lack of workers is affecting an economy where companies aren’t able to operate fully, hence, deliver services and products to residents and export countries.
For this reason, someone with applicable in New Zealand skills, experience, or qualifications is encouraged to apply for a job. However, only accredited employers can sponsor the work visa, so choose wisely, as not all businesses have accreditation.
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