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Average Salary in New Zealand 2024

How much money does a person working in New Zealand make?


Average Yearly Salary
97,600 NZD
( 8,140 NZD monthly)

LOW
24,600
NZD
AVERAGE
97,600
NZD
HIGH
434,000
NZD
All salary figures displayed here are per year except when noted otherwise.
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.

A person working in New Zealand typically earns around 97,600 NZD. Salaries range from 24,600 NZD (lowest average) to 434,000 NZD (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).


Salary Variance

This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in New Zealand vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.



Pay Scale and Salaries in New Zealand

Median and salary distribution New Zealand yearly
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Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison

5% of people earn
183,000 NZD or more
10% of people earn
143,000 to 183,000 NZD
20% of people earn
55,600 NZD or less
65% of people earn
55,600 to 143,000 NZD
Minimum Salary
24,600 NZD
Median
84,100 NZD
Maximum
434,000 NZD




Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range

All salary figures displayed here are per year except when noted otherwise.
  • Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary

    Salaries in New Zealand range from 24,600 NZD (starting salary) to 434,000 NZD (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.

  • Median Salary

    The median salary is 84,100 NZD, which means that 50% of the population in New Zealand earns less than that while the other half earns more. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.

  • Percentiles and Salary Scale

    Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population in New Zealand earn less than 60,700 NZD while 75% of them earn more. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population earn less than 127,000 NZD while 25% earn more than that.

  • Pay Scale Structure

    We grouped the most common and recurring salaries into brackets to give more insight into what salary to expect. This method is more accurate than just the average salary and gives more insights into how salaries are actually distributed in New Zealand. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 55,600 NZD to 143,000 NZD. Approximately 20% fall under the 55,600 NZD cap. Ten percent of wages are from 143,000 NZD to 183,000 NZD. Only 5% of people grossed 183,000 NZD or more.

Salary Comparison by Years of Experience

How does a person's salary progress over time?

Salary Comparison By Experience Level
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Salary is primarily determined by the level of experience one possesses, with higher levels of experience resulting in higher wages.

In New Zealand, employees with two to five years of experience typically earn an average of 32% more than entry-level and junior workers in all industries and fields.

Individuals with more than five years of experience tend to earn an average of 36% more than those with less than five years of experience.

After ten years of work, salaries increase by 21%, with an additional 14% increase for those who have worked for over 15 years.

These figures should be used as rough estimates, as considering individual job titles can lead to more accurate assessments.


Change in salary based on experience varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of many different jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.
On average, a person's salary doubles their starting salary by the time they cross the 10 years* experience mark.
* Based on the average change in salary over time. Salary variations differ from person to person.

Salary Comparison By Education

How does the education level affect your salary?

Salary Comparison By Education
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Change in salary based on education varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of multiple jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.

The correlation between higher education and higher salary is widely acknowledged, but how much of an income increase can one expect from obtaining a degree?

We conducted a study in New Zealand comparing the salaries of professionals with different levels of college degrees who held similar positions in various industries.

Our results showed that individuals with a certificate or diploma earned an average of 17% more than those who only completed high school.

Those who obtained a Bachelor's Degree earned 24% more than their counterparts with a certificate or diploma.

Professionals with a Master's Degree earned 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.

Finally, those who held a PhD earned an average of 23% more than those with a Master's Degree while performing the same job.


Is investing in a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Is pursuing higher education worth the investment?

Earning a Master's degree or any post-graduate qualification in New Zealand is a substantial financial commitment, with tuition fees ranging from 40,700 NZD to 122,000 NZD and a duration of around two years. It's important to note that during this period, any salary increases are unlikely, assuming ongoing employment. Salary reviews are typically conducted after completing the program and obtaining the degree.

Many individuals pursue advanced education as a means of transitioning to higher-paying positions, and the statistics indicate that this is an effective strategy. On average, individuals who change jobs after earning a higher degree receive a salary increase of about 10% more than the typical annual raise.

Ultimately, deciding whether or not to pursue advanced education depends on a variety of factors, including the personal situation and experience. However, if one can afford the financial costs of obtaining a higher degree, the return on investment is likely to be worthwhile, with the ability to recoup the costs in approximately a year.



Salary and Compensation Comparison By Gender / New Zealand

Salary comparison by gender New Zealand yearly
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Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In New Zealand, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 5% across all career fields.

Male
99,900 NZD
Female-5%
95,000 NZD
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value


Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in New Zealand

How much are annual salary increments in New Zealand? How often do employees get salary raises?

New Zealand

Employees in New Zealand are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 8% every 16 months.

Annual Salary Increment Rate New Zealand
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The figures provided here are averages of numbers. Those figures should be taken as general guidelines. Salary increments will vary from person to person and depend on many factors, but your performance and contribution to the success of the organization remain the most important factors in determining how much and how often you will be granted a raise.

The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.

How to calculate the salary increment percentage?

The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency

The average salary increase in one year (12 months) in New Zealand is 6%.

Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs

World Average Annual Salary Increment
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Salary Packages and Schemes

Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.



Bonus and Incentive Rates in New Zealand

How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?Annual Salary Bonus Rate New Zealand
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49% of surveyed staff in New Zealand reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 51% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.

Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 5% of their annual salary.

Received Bonus
51%
No Bonus
49%

Types of Bonuses Considered

Individual Performance-Based Bonuses

The most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.

Company Performance Bonuses

Occasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.

Goal-Based Bonuses

Granted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.

Holiday / End of Year Bonuses

These types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.

Bonuses Are Not Commissions!

People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.


Bonus Rates Comparison by Career Field

Finance
High
Architecture
High
Sales
High
Business Development
High
Marketing / Advertising
High
Information Technology
Moderate
Healthcare
Moderate
Insurance
Moderate
Customer Service
Moderate
Human Resources
Moderate
Construction
Low
Transport
Low
Hospitality
Low

What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?

The main two types of jobs

Revenue GeneratorsSupporting Cast

Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business.

Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations.

Example:
A graphics designer working for a graphics designing company.

Example:
A graphic designer in the marketing department of a hospital.


Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.

Try to work for companies where your skills can generate revenue. We can't all generate revenue and that's perfectly fine.

Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level

Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.

Salaries for popular jobs. Salaries by occupations.

Job TitleAverage Salary
Accounting and Finance
Accountant68,900 NZD
Accounting Assistant51,600 NZD
Accounting Manager145,000 NZD
Bookkeeper46,400 NZD
Chartered Accountant83,800 NZD
Corporate Treasurer135,000 NZD
Financial Analyst118,000 NZD
Financial Manager197,000 NZD
Internal Auditor93,400 NZD

Administration / Reception / Secretarial
Administrative Assistant48,600 NZD
Office Manager81,900 NZD
Receptionist48,200 NZD
Secretary43,200 NZD

Advertising / Graphic Design / Events
Art Director91,200 NZD
Creative Director99,300 NZD
Graphic Designer61,700 NZD
Photographer54,900 NZD

Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense
Aerospace Engineer118,000 NZD
Air Traffic Controller107,000 NZD
Flight Attendant64,600 NZD
Pilot157,000 NZD

Architecture
Architect113,000 NZD
CAD Drafter49,000 NZD

Automotive
Mechanic37,600 NZD
Service Advisor63,300 NZD

Banking
Bank Branch Manager170,000 NZD
Teller35,300 NZD

Bilingual
Teacher74,300 NZD
Translator83,800 NZD

Business Planning
Business Analyst114,000 NZD
Business Development Manager158,000 NZD
Project Manager116,000 NZD

Care Giving and Child Care
Nanny40,300 NZD
Nursery Teacher36,400 NZD

Construction / Building / Installation
Civil Engineer92,400 NZD
Construction Project Manager166,000 NZD
Health and Safety Officer41,000 NZD

Customer Service and Call Center
Call Center Representative36,400 NZD
Customer Service Manager130,000 NZD
Customer Service Representative34,600 NZD

Engineering
Civil Engineer90,500 NZD
Electrical Engineer93,100 NZD
Engineer90,500 NZD
Mechanical Engineer93,400 NZD

Executive and Management
Chief Executive Officer226,000 NZD
Chief Financial Officer205,000 NZD
General Manager169,000 NZD
Project Manager106,000 NZD

Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering
Chef59,800 NZD
Executive Chef69,800 NZD
Hotel Manager177,000 NZD
Receptionist34,700 NZD
Travel Agent62,300 NZD
Waiter / Waitress29,800 NZD

Health and Medical
Dentist221,000 NZD
Dietitian195,000 NZD
Laboratory Technician74,200 NZD
Nurse76,800 NZD

Human Resources
Human Resources Manager138,000 NZD
Human Resources Officer56,200 NZD

Information Technology
Computer Technician76,500 NZD
Database Administrator91,500 NZD
Developer / Programmer95,000 NZD
Information Technology Manager165,000 NZD
Network Engineer80,700 NZD

Law Enforcement / Security / Fire
Police Officer55,900 NZD

Legal
Attorney181,000 NZD
Legal Assistant51,400 NZD

Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment
Journalist107,000 NZD

Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology
Biomedical Engineer78,300 NZD
Pharmacist118,000 NZD

Sales Retail and Wholesale
Cashier37,600 NZD
Sales Manager169,000 NZD
Sales Representative60,800 NZD

Teaching / Education
Elementary School Teacher66,700 NZD
Secondary School Teacher79,200 NZD

Average Hourly Wage in New Zealand


47 NZD per hour

The average hourly wage (pay per hour) for all employees in New Zealand is 47 NZD.This is the rate that the average individual gets paid for every worked hour.


Hourly Wage = Annual Salary / ( 52 x 5 x 8 )

About The Hourly Pay Rate

The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.

What is the minimum hourly rate of pay?

The minimum pay rate per hour for a person in New Zealand is 12 NZD. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.

Salary Comparison By City

CityAverage Salary
Auckland108,000 NZD
Christchurch104,000 NZD
Hamilton93,800 NZD
Rotorua89,500 NZD
Wellington99,700 NZD

Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison

Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in New Zealand is 5% on average across all career fields.

Private Sector
94,900 NZD
Public Sector+5%
99,900 NZD
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value

Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide

What is considered to be a good and competitive salary in New Zealand?

It is extremely difficult to give an exact figure of a good salary when no specific job is selected, however; an estimate can be provided based purely on the cost of living. A good compensation in New Zealand would range anywhere between 84,100 NZD and 127,000 NZD.

Gross Salary (before tax) and Net Salary (after tax)

All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.

Base / Basic Salary

The base salary in New Zealand ranges from 24,600 NZD to 60,700 NZD. The base salary depends on many factors including profession, experience, and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.


What is the difference between the median and the average salary?

Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary


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