Salaries in New Zealand vs the UK: Where You Get Paid More? [2024]
Are you considering working in the UK or New Zealand? Or maybe you are moving from the UK to this remote island in Oceania? In all cases, you will need to get a job to pay the bills. The UK and New Zealand both pay pretty good wages, which can vary significantly depending on the location and industry.
The median salary for full-time workers in the UK in 2022 was £33,000 nationwide and £41,866 in London, while the average salary in New Zealand was $57,072 (£28,004) in 2022. Consequently, there is only a small difference in earnings between these countries.
If we compare New Zealand to other English-speaking countries, the average salaries here are on the lower side. Employees earn more in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. Yet, British salaries aren’t must higher than what Kiwi employees get. There is only one significant difference between wages in London and the rest of New Zealand.
To learn more about salaries in New Zealand, check out our dedicated guide.
Are salaries higher in New Zealand or the UK?
Depending on the location, the UK has comparable or higher salaries than New Zealand. Workers in London earn significantly more than their counterparts in the largest city in New Zealand, Auckland.
What is a good salary in Auckland?
According to the latest statistics, the average median salary in the UK is £33,000. That’s about £2,750 per month before taxes.
At the same time, official sources of New Zealand state that the median wage for men in June 2022 was $1,320 (£684) per week, while women earn $1,055 (£547) across New Zealand.
The total wage across all genders is $1,189 (£616) per week or $4,756 (£2,467) per month or $57,072 annually.
That comes to $5,280 (£2,739) monthly or $63,360 (£32,876) annually for men and $4,220 (£2,189) monthly, and $50,640 (£26,276) annually for women.
Salaries have been on steady year-after-year growth in New Zealand. For instance, the weekly pay for women has increased almost by $100 (£51).
That said, salaries are significantly higher in the British capital London, where average workers make about £41,866 (2022), which is about 21% higher than the national average.
Consequently, if we take monthly earnings for an average full-time employee in both countries, they are almost the same, £2,750 vs £2,467. Well, you will earn nearly 300 pounds more every month in your pocket while working in the UK.
On 1 November 2022, the average salary in Auckland is $4,649 or $55,788 annually. Larger companies pay more, so medium-sized businesses with more than 100 employees pay $5,114 ($61,728) per month, and largest corporations pay $6,508 ($78,096) and more.
Moreover, the average salary in New Zealand’s capital city Wellington is $59,659.
So, even considering wages in Auckland’s largest corporations (£40,522), London’s employees with an average salary of £41,866 are still better off.
Moreover, you will earn more in the UK because the average weekly wages for full-time workers have increased in recent years.
Check out: Living in New Zealand vs the UK.
Both countries have regional differences where in some cities, you will earn significantly more or less than the average. The range between income and location is more visible in the UK. In New Zealand, that might add or cut only 5% to 10%.
That said, the unemployment rates in these countries are similar. In New Zealand, the unemployment rate is 3.9% compared to the UK’s 3.7%.
Keep in mind that if you move to New Zealand from the UK, you might have to decrease your job seniority. It often happens when people immigrate from one place to another, they have to downgrade their job.
Moreover, in some situations, you will need to learn a new profession or get new skills to be a competitive candidate in the job market.
Housing costs and shortages of houses are significant issues in both countries. In New Zealand, this issue is seen across the country, while in the UK, it’s more region depended.
Both countries are expensive to buy a home as an average employee. You will need a working partner to afford to buy an average house in the city.
Salaries in New Zealand
Here are average salaries for some typical jobs according to the largest job board in New Zealand Trademe.co.nz:
| Job category | Median pay | Salary range |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | $65,000 | $48,000 to $125,000 |
| Agriculture, fishing and forestry | $55,000 | $40,000 to $95,000 |
| Architecture | $75,000 | $50,000 to $125,000 |
| Automotive | $60,000 | $40,000 to $85,000 |
| Banking, finance and insurance | $65,000 | $45,000 to $125,000 |
| Construction and roading | $60,000 | $40,000 to $135,000 |
| Customer service | $48,000 | $40,000 to $65,000 |
| Education | $60,000 | $42,000 to $75,000 |
| Engineering | $75,000 | $48,000 to $130,000 |
| Executive and general management | $85,000 | $48,000 to $195,000 |
| Government and council | $70,000 | $40,000 to $145,000 |
| Healthcare | $55,000 | $40,000 to $85,000 |
| Hospitality and tourism | $50,000 | $40,000 to $65,000 |
| HR and recruitment | $65,000 | $48,000 to $122,000 |
| Information technology (IT) | $105,000 | $50,000 to $200,000 |
| Legal | $65,000 | $45,000 to $125,000 |
| Manufacturing and operations | $48,000 | $40,000 to $75,000 |
| Marketing, media and communications | $70,000 | $45,000 to $135,000 |
| Office and administration | $50,000 | $42,000 to $75,000 |
| Property | $85,000 | $50,000 to $150,000 |
| Retail | $48,000 | $40,000 to $65,000 |
| Sales | $65,000 | $42,000 to $115,000 |
| Science and technology | $65,000 | $42,000 to $115,000 |
| Trades and services | $55,000 | $40,000 to $85,000 |
| Transport and logistics | $50,000 | $40,000 to $80,000 |
Highest paying jobs in New Zealand include (source: Trademe.co.nz; Seek.co.nz):
- Information architects (IT): $135,000
- Data warehousing and Business Intelligence (IT): $115,000
- Cybersecurity specialists: $105,000
- Construction project and contract management: $105,000
- IT Sales: $105,000
- Finance managers: $100,000
- Database experts: $95,000
- Quantity surveying: $95,000
- Surveying: $95,000
- Test analysts: $95,000
- Architects: $85,000
- Geotechnical engineers: $85,000
- Civil and structural engineers: $85,000
- Commercial property management: $85,000
- Accountants: $75,000
Here is the official data from Labour of statistics on how salaries in New Zealand have changed from June 2021 to June 2022:
- Women – up $95 (9.9%) to $1,055
- Men – up $73 (5.9%) to $1,320.
By age group (years):
- 15–19 – up $76 (22.1%) to $420
- 20–24 – up $59 (6.6%) to $959
- 25–29 – up $115 (10.9%) to $1,170
- 30–34 – up $104 (8.7%) to $1,304
- 35–39 – up $125 (10.1%) to $1,352
- 40–44 – up $77 (6.1%) to $1,343
- 45–49 – up $116 (9.2%) to $1,381
- 50–54 – up $139 (11.1%) to $1,388
- 55–59 – up $66 (5.5%) to $1,266
- 60–64 – up $77 (6.9%) to $1,189
- 65 plus – up $79 (8.5%) to $999.
By ethnicity:
- European – up $98 (8.6%) to $1,238
- Māori – up $66 (6.5%) to $1,086
By occupation:
- Managers – up $105 (7.3%) to $1,545
- Professionals – up $98 (6.9%) to $1,506
- Technicians and trade workers – up $99 (9%) to $1,199
- Community and personal service workers – up $108 (14%) to $876
- Clerical and administration workers – up $101 (10.1%) to $1,100
- Sales workers – up $73 (9.1 percent) to $873
- Machinery operators and drivers – up $65 (6.2%) to $1,120
- Labourers – up $88 (10.5%) to $928.
Factors that influence your salary in New Zealand include the following:
- The demand for workers
- Place – the region and the employer
- Industry
- Negotiation
- Being a mother
Salaries in tech in New Zealand
Each year a company Absolute IT NZ releases various reports about the tech sector in New Zealand, including current salaries. In the table below, you can see nationwide remuneration for some tech jobs (in $NZ).
| Position | Average salary low $NZ | Average salary high $NZ |
|---|---|---|
| IT Manager | 100,000 | 190,000 |
| Application Support Analyst | 70,000 | 110,000 |
| Cloud Engineer | 98,750 | 136,250 |
| Cybersecurity Engineer | 77,500 | 97,500 |
| Systems Administrator | 85,000 | 125,000 |
| Data Analyst | 70,000 | 110,000 |
| Back End Developer | 103,250 | 130,000 |
| Full Stack Developer | 72,500 | 110,000 |
| Web Developer | 65,000 | 110,000 |
| Project Manager | 90,000 | 145,000 |
| UX Designer | 127,500 | 155,000 |
As you can see, salaries in the tech sector in New Zealand are significantly higher than average, and they are also higher than average UK wages.
What salary is considered good in New Zealand vs the UK?
Since the cost of living in New Zealand and the UK is different, you will need a different amount to live comfortably in both countries. With a significant regional range, you have to make much more to cover basic expenses in London than anywhere else in New Zealand.
In New Zealand, you would need to earn at least $50,000 (£24,534) per year in order to live comfortably in any city. In the UK, it’s about £30,000 per year or £2,000 to £3,000 per month. These amounts assume you are single and renting a single house/apartment.
With an average gross salary of $56,000 in New Zealand, this number is very realistic to achieve. If you want to live more comfortably, you need to earn about $60,000 to $70,000.
Read our guide on salaries in New Zealand.
Average salary in New Zealand in 2022
The average salary of a full-time worker in New Zealand ranged from $56,000 to $58,000 across all industries and regions.
At the same time, the median income is about $27 per hour as of 2021 ($56,160 per annum based on a 40-hour week). The minimum wage in New Zealand in 2023 was $22,70 per hour. The employer can not pay less than that.
Average salaries in New Zealand by region:
- Manawatu-Whanganui: $50,763
- Waikato: $51,658
- Hawke’s Bay: $54,424
- Marlborough: $60,364
- Northland: $61,572
- Bay of Plenty: $61,743
- Wellington: $63,241
- Canterbury: $63,415
- Auckland: $64,650
- Taranaki: $68,183
- Otago: $70,838
Also, check out our article that compares living in Ireland vs New Zealand.
Salaries in the UK
Most employees in the UK earn between £25,000 and £35,000 per year before taxes. At the same time, to live comfortably as a single, you need to make between £2,000 and £3,000 after tax.
A gross salary of around £40,000 a year is what you need to live a comfortable yet not extravagant lifestyle in the UK.
To learn more about salaries in the UK in 2021 and 2022, check out the official website.
Average salary in the UK in 2022
In the UK, an average salary was between £30,000 – £35,000 per year. The median national salary is £33,000. The minimum wage in the UK in 2023 was £10.24/hour.
Here are some examples of average salaries in the UK for popular jobs:
- IT Technician – £31,731
- Construction Project Manager – £40,549
- Business/Corporate Project Manager – £58,478
- Business Development Manager – £52,500
- Sales Executive – £26,302
- Account Manager – £52,500
- Quantity Surveyor – £42,511
- Care Assistant – £18,255
- Chef – £21,282
- Managers – £58,862 (although this varies widely depending on your field)
- Nurse – £32,338
- Electrician – £31,277
- Doctor – £41,494
- Lawyer – £63,771
- Writer – £33,887
- Teacher – £39,388
- Business Analyst – £49,079
- Finance Professionals – £42,578
- Customer Service Advisor – £21,494
- Engineer – £43,628
Some of the best-paid jobs in the UK include:
| Job | Average salary |
|---|---|
| CEOs | £81,102 |
| Marketing and sales directors | £69,779 |
| Legal professionals | £69,514 |
| Train and tram drivers | £59,189 |
| Advertising and public relations directors | £58,948 |
| Senior police officers | £58,734 |
| Senior professionals of educational establishments | £58,268 |
| Financial managers and directors | £58,028 |
| Medical practitioners | £56,869 |
| Senior officers in protective services | £56,135 |
Taxes in New Zealand vs the UK
The numbers mentioned above aren’t actually the money you will take home. You will need to pay income taxes and contributions to social security funds or health insurance in some cases.
What taxes will you pay as an employee in New Zealand? Fortunately, tax rates are relatively low in this part of the world.
Compared to many other countries, in New Zealand, employees don’t have to pay for pension, unemployment, and health insurance from their salary. They pay only the income tax and contributions for ACC (national accident insurance).
| 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% |
Income tax rates in New Zealand are progressive and increase with the salary. However, if you earn less than $14,000, you will only pay 10.5% income tax.
If you earn an annual salary of $58,000, your net income would be approximately $46,733, which is about $3,894 per month. You just paid 20% in taxes. As you can see, the taxes in New Zealand are very favorable to employees.
Taxes in the UK
In the UK, the income tax rates look different. Generally, they are higher than in New Zealand. The average rate for employees is about 24,90%.
In contrast to New Zealand, UK employees also contribute 12% to National Insurance (health insurance). This will leave someone with a gross annual income of £40,000 with £30,864 after taxes or £2,572 monthly. You just paid 23% in taxes.
Here are the current income tax rates in the UK:
| Taxable income | Tax rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Personal allowance (tax free) | Up to £12,570 | 0% |
| Basic rate | £12,571 to £50,270 | 20% |
| Higher rate | £50,271 to £150,000 | 40% |
| Additional rate | over £150,000 | 45% |
Cost of living in New Zealand vs the UK
The information about salaries is irrelevant without talking about the cost of living in these countries.
To live alone in Auckland, a person should have at least $4,630 monthly after taxes to cover average expenses. A family of four requires around $8,327 per month to live comfortably. Note that these numbers are only recommendations; you can live on significantly less.
Read the full guide on the cost of living in New Zealand vs UK.
For example, a single expat living in New Zealand usually spends about $3,000 per month.
New Zealand is ranked 12th out of 79 countries regarding the cost of living, with a price index of 184, which makes it a pretty expensive place to live.
To compare it with the UK, the country is ranked as the 13th most expensive in the world.
So if relying on general statistics, New Zealand is more expensive than the UK. According to Numbeo, the average monthly cost of living for a single person in the UK is £2,000.
That said, London is significantly more expensive than other places in the UK, and in fact, it’s more expensive than anywhere in New Zealand.
The current cost of living in the UK:
- Family of four estimated monthly costs: £3,564
- Single person estimated monthly costs: £2,014
- Cost of living in the UK is more expensive than in 64% of countries in Western Europe (6 out of 14)
- Cost of living in the UK is more expensive than in 83% of countries in the World (12 out of 63)
Here is an example of how you can spend a monthly income of about £3,000 in London, UK:
- Housing: a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs £1,500, utilities will cost you another £200 and £35 for the internet.
- Groceries and food: £500 – £600 to eat out occasionally and cook
- Personal spending: £600 for closing and shoes, personal items, eating out, entertainment, weekend trips, yearly holidays, etc.
Here is an example of how you can spend an average net monthly income of $3,894 in New Zealand:
- Housing: a one-bedroom apartment or house will cost you about $450 – $550 per week ($1,700 – $2,200/month. Utilities will cost you another $100.
- Groceries and food: $500 – $700 to eat out occasionally and cook
- Personal spending: $600 for closing and shoes, personal items, entertainment, weekend trips, yearly holidays, etc.
- You even will have some money left by the end of the month.
While rents are pretty comparable in both places, you will spend more on groceries in New Zealand. Prices have been on the rise with the current inflation.
Rent
New Zealand rent prices are generally higher than those in the UK, but there is significant regional variation in both countries.
Rent will take a large portion of your salary in New Zealand and in the UK. According to the Deutsche Bank, Wellington’s rent prices, compared to income, are ranked as the 12th most expensive of the 55 cities in other countries. Auckland was placed 23rd.
In Auckland, you will need at least $600 per week or $2,400 per month to rent a house in the suburbs.
In Wellington, two-bedroom homes rent for between $450 and $620 a week, and three-bedroom properties rent for between $630 and $790 a week. Smaller cities tend to be more affordable.
To save money, you can also rent a room. A flatshare is a widespread thing in New Zealand. For a room in a shared house budget of $200 to $400 per week.
In contrast to New Zealand, here are rent prices in expensive London:
| Housing type in London | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartment (city center) | £1,662 |
| One-bedroom apartment (outside of city center) | £1,272 |
| Three-bedroom apartment (city center) | £3,188 |
| Three-bedroom apartment (outside of city center) | £2,081 |
| Internet | £32 |
| Utilities (gas, electric, and water for an 85m2 apartment) | £171 |
| Council Tax | £80 |
The average rental in the greater area of London was £1,599 a month or £369 a week in 2022. In New Zealand, the median rent is $450 a week, but in Auckland Central, it’s also more expensive – about $530 for a one-bed place.
Nonetheless, when renting in New Zealand, you are more likely to get more in terms of house size and land than you were in the UK. The UK is popular for its semi-detached and terraced homes with less space.
Buying a home
One is for sure, an average house in New Zealand will cost you more than in the UK. If you’re looking to buy a property in New Zealand, it’s important to note that property prices there are some of the highest in the world. Not everyone can afford property in this country, especially in Auckland.
The average house price in Auckland is currently over $1,000,000. However, if you’re willing to look outside of the city center, there are plenty of great options for under $500,000.
Here are average house prices in different regions as of 2021 ($NZ):
- Auckland: $1.2 million
- Bay of Plenty: $878k
- Tasman: $860k
- Wellington: $845k
- Nelson: $802k
- Waikato: $774k
- Hawkes Bay: $770k
- Otago: $695k
- Christchurch: $660k
- Northland: $650k
- Marlborough: $650k
- Manawatu/Wanganui: $626k
- Gisborne: $615k
- Taranaki: $535k
- Southland $437k
- West Coast: $272k
In the UK, property prices range a lot, with London being an unaffordable place for most people. The average house price across the country is £296,000 as of August 2022. That’s about $570,453 in New Zealand dollars.
You can get a house for as cheap as £169,000 in Northern Ireland. At the same time, terraced properties in London were selling for an average price of £804,432 in 2021.
Considering the average price of a home in the UK, you rarely will find a decent house for that price in New Zealand. Therefore, the UK (except London) is a better and more affordable place to buy property.
Food
Kiwis spend more on grocery shopping. Consumer prices in New Zealand are about 10% higher than in the UK. New Zealand’s consumer prices aren’t in line with incomes.
A single person should budget at least $150 per week on groceries; hence, a family of four will need at least three times this amount. Overall, you will spend about $800 per month per person for food.
In the UK, £100 per week for groceries is more than enough. This will include some meals out too.
Healthcare costs
In both places, healthcare is substituted by the state. However, in the UK, employees pay around 12% of their salary for health insurance, while in New Zealand, it’s zero.
In both countries, you need to qualify for free public healthcare. In New Zealand, you must be a citizen, a resident on a work visa, or a permanent resident. In the UK, you must be a resident.
Yet, if you go to the doctor in New Zealand, you must pay a fee of around $50-60, and after that, a GP will direct you to the specialist if needed.
In the UK, all visits to the doctor are free, whether it’s the initial consultation with a GP or treatment in the hospital.
Moreover, in both countries, patients pay for dental care out of pocket unless they have special insurance.
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