Average Salary in New Zealand: Salaries by City and Experience

Expat life
24 Sep 2024
9 mins read
Written by pranit

The average monthly salary for full-time workers in New Zealand is NZD 5,129 after the tax cut, and for part-time workers, it’s NZD 20 per hour.

 

While the average salary in New Zealand is appealing, it’s the “classic Kiwi work culture” that truly attracts people, emphasizing a 9-5 workday and valuing work-life balance over a “work hustle” mentality.

 

Suppose you’re seeking a better work-life balance abroad. In that case, this blog will analyze salary data in New Zealand across different sectors and highlight New Zealand’s average income for those considering a career move there.

Quick Overview

  • The average salary in New Zealand per month for a full-time worker is NZD 5,129 after the tax cut.
  • The average income in New Zealand for a part-time worker is NZD 20 per hour.
  • Top Job Sectors in New Zealand 
    • Healthcare, Pharmaceutical & Social Services: NZD 96,500 per year
    • Science: NZD 93,531 per year
    • Engineering: NZD 92,715 per year
  • Top Companies in New Zealand: Xero, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare 2FPH.NZ, Meridian Energy 3MEZ.AX, Auckland Airport 4AIA.AX, Infratil, Mercury NZ. 

Do you know?

  • According to the World Population Review, New Zealand is the 4th safest country globally, highlighting its high safety and security for residents..[1]
  • New Zealand’s employment has remained steady since the previous quarter at 68.4% in the June 2024 quarter.[2 ]
  • The median weekly income from wages and salaries in New Zealand rose to NZD 1,273 in 2023, representing a 7.1% increase of NZD 84 compared to the previous year.[3]

Factors affecting salary in New Zealand

Choice of industry and occupation

High-demand sectors like IT and finance typically offer higher wages than hospitality or retail. Roles requiring specialized skills or significant responsibilities, like managerial positions, command even higher salaries.

Salary by education level and experience

Higher education and specialized certifications often lead to better-paying jobs. Advanced roles require strong qualifications, making education key to earning potential. Experience also boosts earnings as employees gain expertise and value.

Location

Urban centers like Auckland and Wellington offer higher salaries due to higher living costs and more high-paying industries. Smaller towns may have lower wages but also a lower cost of living. 

Company size and profitability

Larger companies tend to offer better salaries and benefits than smaller businesses. This is often due to their ability to afford the competitive compensation packages necessary to attract top talent. 

Economic factors affecting salaries

During economic growth, companies are more likely to raise wages. Inflation affects salary trends as employees aim to maintain purchasing power.

Supply and demand for skills

High-demand, low-supply skills lead to higher salaries, while an oversupply of workers can cause stagnant or reduced wages.

 

Also read: How to answer these 10 most common questions for an overseas job interview.

Average salary for a full-time worker in New Zealand: (NZD 5,129 after tax cut)

Whether your career aspirations lie in finance, technology or healthcare, New Zealand’s job market offers an array of opportunities. A clear understanding of New Zealand salary comparison can help you make informed decisions. Here is a simplified overview of New Zealand’s salary trends across different industries, with some of the top-paying job roles:

 

 

Top Industries 

Average Annual Salary 

Per Hour Salary in New Zealand 

Healthcare, Pharmaceutical & Social Services

NZD 96,500

NZD 49.49

Science

NZD 93,531

NZD 47.96

Engineering

NZD 92,715

NZD 47.55

Information Technology

NZD 87,305

NZD 44.77

Banking, Finance & Insurance

NZD 84,832

NZD 43.50

Childcare & Education

NZD 84,403

NZD 43.28

Marketing & Sales

NZD 83,165

NZD 42.65

Accounting, Administration & Human Resources

NZD 76,100

NZD 39.03

Legal

NZD 75,760

NZD 38.85

Law Enforcement & Security

NZD 73,361

NZD 37.62

Architecture & Creative Arts

NZD 69,773

NZD 35.78

Construction & Maintenance

NZD 69,652

NZD 35.72

Source: Talent 

The following are details of the basic salary in New Zealand across diverse job roles under specific industries:

Healthcare, Pharmaceutical & Social Services: Average Salary – NZD 96,500 annually

 

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Cardiologist

NZD 210,465

Surgeon

NZD 204,465

Psychiatrist

NZD 204,425

Dentist

NZD 180,000

Veterinarian

NZD 112,561

Source: Talent 

Science: Average salary – NZD 93,531 annually

 

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Physicist

NZD 122,600

Data Scientist

NZD 113,855

Geologist

NZD 96,813

Historian

NZD 87,555

Lab Technician

NZD 46,834

Source: Talent 

Engineering: Average Salary – NZD 92,715 annually

 

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Software Engineer

NZD 110,000

Design Engineer

NZD 107,500

Project Engineer

NZD 105,000

Environmental Engineer

NZD 103,750

Civil Engineer

NZD 97,500

Source: Talent 

Information Technology: Average salary – NZD 87,305 annually

 

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Full-Stack Developer

NZD 115,000

Business Intelligence Analyst

NZD 110,000

UX/UI Designer

NZD 102,887

Database Administrator

NZD 99,193

Network

NZD 95,475

Source: Talent 

Banking, Finance & Insurance: Average salary – NZD 84,832 annually

 

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Economist

NZD 109,800

Investment Advisor

NZD 103,033

Business Analyst

NZD 100,207

Branch Manager

NZD 95,000

Financial Advisor

NZD 94,235

Source: Talent

Average salary for part-time workers in New Zealand

The average income in New Zealand for a part-time worker is NZD 20 per hour. Part-time employment offers a practical solution for earning a basic income while allowing one to focus on studies. 

 

Here are some of the most common part-time jobs available for students in New Zealand:

 

Type of Job

Average Pay per Hour 

Freelance Writer

NZD 34.23

Tutor

NZD 33

Receptionist

NZD 26.57

Bartender

NZD 26

Customer Care Representative

NZD 27

Nanny

NZD 25

Retail Sales Assistant

NZD 25

Waiter/Waitress

NZD 24.88

Cashier

NZD 23.25

Library Assistant

NZD 23

Supermarket Assistant

NZD 21.81

Source: Leapscholar

Citiwise average salary in New Zealand

The provincial salary variations in New Zealand are as follows:

 

City

Average monthly salary after tax

Auckland

NZD 5,578

Wellington

NZD 4,053

Christchurch

NZD 5,166

Hamilton

NZD 4,291

 

Source: LivingCost (Refer citywise pages)

 

Also Read: 9 important questions to ask your employer before accepting a job offer overseas.

Highest paying job in New Zealand

In New Zealand, roles that require advanced qualifications and expertise often come with substantial compensation. These high-paying positions are concentrated in industries like law, healthcare, information technology and finance. 

 

The demand for skilled workers in these sectors drives up salaries and benefits packages, making them attractive career choices for those seeking higher earning potential. 

 

Here is an overview of some of the highest-paying jobs in New Zealand:

 

Job title

Industry 

Average Salary 

CEO

Management

NZD 560,000

Judge

Law

NZD 413,000

Radiation Oncologist

Healthcare

NZD 387,500

Chief Financial Officer

Finance

NZD 250,000

IT General Manager

Information Technology

NZD 250,000

Chief Technology Officer

Information Technology

NZD 250,000

Strategy Manager

Management

NZD 230,000

Surgeon

Healthcare

NZD 212,000

Investment Director

Finance

NZD 205,000

Pathologist

Healthcare

NZD 204,500

Source: Grab Jobs

Lowest/minimum paying job in New Zealand

In New Zealand, all employees aged 16 or older are entitled to be paid at least the minimum wage for every hour worked. There are three types of minimum wage:

 

Type of minimum wage

Per hour

8-hour-day

40-hour week

80-hour fortnight

Adult

NZD 23.15

NZD 185.20

NZD 926

NZD 1852

Starting-out

NZD 18.52

NZD 148.16

NZD 740.80

NZD 1481.60

Training

NZD 18.52

NZD 148.16

NZD 740.80

NZD 1481.60

 

Here is a list of some of the lowest-paying jobs in New Zealand:

 

Job types

Industry 

Average Annual salary

Kitchen staff

Hospitality & Travel

NZD 32,000

Bar staff and baristas

Hospitality & Travel

NZD 32,000

Housekeeper

Management

NZD 33,000

Tour guide

Hospitality & Travel

NZD 35,000

Waiting staff

Hospitality & Travel

NZD 35,000

Machine operation

Engineer

NZD 36,000

Receptionist

Hospitality & Travel

NZD 36,000

Store-person, warehouse

Retail

NZD 36,000

Retail Assistant

Retail

NZD 37,000

Security

Security

NZD 37,000

Source: New Zealand ImmigrationEmployment New Zealand.

Salary with respect to experience

New Zealand’s economic success reflects its skilled workforce, with experience being a key factor in determining salaries across industries.

 

Here is a brief overview of the pay scale in New Zealand based on years of experience:

 

Job types

Industry 

Average annual salary as per experience 

Fresher

Average

Experienced

Corporate Accountant

Accounting

NZD 115,000 

NZD 140,000 

NZD 160,000 

Finance Director

Financial Management

NZD 300,000 

NZD 400,000 

NZD 500,000 

IT Manager

IT Management

NZD 160,000

NZD 180,000 

NZD 200,000 

Senior Software Engineer

Software Engineering

NZD 125,000 

NZD 135,000

NZD 145,000

Source: Robert Half – New Zealand 

 

Also Read: 5 salary negotiation tips that will get you paid what you’re worth. 

Difference between median & average (mean) salary

Keeping track of New Zealand’s median income and mean wage levels can help you gain a realistic idea of the current salary trends and how much you can expect to be compensated for your new job role. The mean income is the total income divided by the number of earners. The median income is found by arranging salaries from lowest to highest.

 

Here is an example to simplify the concept:

 

Employee 1

NZD 85,000

Employee 2

NZD 115,000

Employee 3

NZD 135,000

Employee 4

NZD 155,000

Employee 5

NZD 245,000

 

Here is how you can calculate the mean income:

(NZD 85,000 + NZD 115,000 + NZD 135,000 + NZD 155,000 + NZD 245,000)/5 = NZD 147,000

 

Hence, the mean or average income for this dataset is NZD 147,000.

 

The median income is the middle value. Here, the median income is NZD 135,000.

Before you go…

Ready to explore New Zealand’s lucrative job market? Before you start planning, research New Zealand’s average income for your target job role. This will give you both a realistic idea of the current pay scale in New Zealand and make informed career decisions. 

 

Another essential aspect of your planning is to consider a secure international transfer service to send money to India from New Zealand whenever necessary.

 

Instarem offers a safe and efficient solution for international money transfers with fast* processing time and competitive exchange rates. This makes Instarem an affordable# and accessible option for students, fresh graduates and working professionals alike.

 

Instarem App is available for download on the App Store and Google Play, making it easy to manage your international transfers from anywhere. By choosing Instarem, you can ensure that your funds are transferred securely and efficiently, allowing you to focus on settling into your new life in New Zealand. 

FAQs

Q. What is the current average salary in New Zealand?

After the tax cut, the current average monthly salary for a full-time worker in New Zealand is NZD 5,129.

 

Q. What is a good salary in New Zealand?

A monthly income in New Zealand of NZD 5,129 or above can provide a comfortable standard of living. However, factors like personal preferences and lifestyle are bound to influence individual financial needs.

 

Q. Which job has the highest salary in New Zealand?

The highest-paying jobs in New Zealand often involve higher managerial positions and the fields of healthcare, finance, law and information technology. 

 

Q. Which job has the lowest salary in New Zealand?

Kitchen staff have the lowest income in New Zealand, with an average annual salary of NZD 32,000. 

 

Q. What is the average salary in New Zealand for IT professionals?

The average salary in New Zealand for IT professionals is around NZD 87,305 per year. 

 

Q. What is the average salary in New Zealand per month for an Indian?

Salaries for Indian nationals in New Zealand vary by industry, job role, location, experience, and qualifications. While the average salary is NZD 5,129, individual earnings can differ based on these factors.

 

Q. How do you find a job in New Zealand?

You can find a job in New Zealand by applying on foreigner-friendly websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, Seek, Trade Me and more. 

 

 
Other related blogs:

Germany – Average Salary in Germany

Australia – Average Salary in Australia

USA – Average Salary in USA

Canada – Average Salary in Canada

UK – Average Salary in UK

Singapore – Average salary in Singapore

Ireland – Average Salary in Ireland

Malaysia – Average salary in Malaysia

Japan – Average Salary in Japan

Switzerland – Average Salary in Switzerland

 

Disclaimers:

This article is intended for informational purposes only. All details are accurate at the time of publishing. Instarem has no affiliation or relationship with the products or vendors mentioned.

* Fast meaning 75% of our transactions are completed in 15 minutes. Depending on the funding method.

#When it comes to affordable exchange rates and fees, it’s worth noting that the cost will vary depending on how you choose to fund your transactions. Credit card funding and bank transfer fees can differ significantly. 

The currencies have been converted using the Forbes Currency Converter on 04th September 2024.

 

Citations

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