We’ll begin our survey of wage rates in New Zealand by looking at hourly wages excluding overtime. Salaries data from Statistics NZ show that in the first quarter of 2013 people were earning the wage levels shown below.
New Zealand Average Hourly Earnings
March 2013
| Earnings Classification |
Average Hourly Earnings |
| Public sector | $35.24 |
| Private sector | $25.42 |
| Males | $29.24 |
| Females | $24.74 |
| All NZ Employees | $27.48 |
- The average weekly earnings for a full-time NZ public sector employee is $1320 in ordinary earnings, rising to $1342 including overtime.
- The average weekly earnings for a full-time NZ private sector employee is $955 in ordinary earnings, rising to $1031 including overtime.
Here is a link to advertised salaries for jobs in different locations in New Zealand.
Now to look at a selection of typical annual salary ranges in New Zealand.
Bear in mind that these are salary-ranges. The bottom of the range would approximate the salary of an inexperienced employee working for a lower paying employer. Top of the range approximates the salary of an experienced employee working with a good employer.
It’s likely you’ll only be offered work in New Zealand if you’re already experienced, so you certainly shouldn’t be expecting a salary at the bottom of any of these ranges.
Typical Annual Salaries in New Zealand
| Profession | Average Annual Earnings |
| Accounting Technician | $45,000 – $80,000 |
| Auditor | $55,000 – $100,000+ |
| Bank Manager | $55,000 – $100,000+ |
| Financial Planners | $35,000 – $100,000+ |
| Loss Adjustors | $35,000 – $100,000+ |
| Management Accountant | $40,000 – $100,000+ |
| Teacher | $40,000 – $70,000 |
| Educational Psychologist | $40,000 – $100,000+ |
| Engineer (Chem./Elect.) | $40,000 – $100,000+ |
| Environmental Engineer | $40,000 – $100,000 |
| Road Engineer | $40,000 – $90,000 |
| Elect. Engineer Technician | $40,000 – $90,000 |
| Environmental Scientist | $40,000 – $85,000 |
| Forestry Scientist | $40,000 – $55,000 |
| Industrial Chemist | $45,000 – $100,000+ |
| Computing Services Manager | $50,000 – $150,000+ |
| Systems Analyst | $50,000 – $100,000+ |
| Computer Helpdesk Operator | $30,000 – $60,000 |
| Warehouse Manager | $30,000 – $55,000 |
| Solicitor | $50,000 – $200,000+ |
| Registered Hospital Nurse | $60,000 basic (5 years experience in 2012) |
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hi all
thinking of relocating with my 24 year old retail manager and 3 year old daughter
have been offered a job from a large scaffolding . as a 32 year old. advanced scaffolder with 12 years experience .
starting at 28 dollars per hour and cant seem to work out if we could get by on 1 wage alone.
if you could shed some light on this for me that would be great.
thanks.
We can give you some numbers so you can see where your income will place you compared with other families in New Zealand.
In 2011, New Zealand’s average household income (from all sources of income) was $79,300 a year.
$28 an hour is about the average wage for men in New Zealand. Many families in NZ have two wages though.
When you think about whether your salary will be enough, your location is important. Auckland is probably the most expensive place to live and it might be hard getting by on your wage alone if you’re renting a house. There was a recent thread on our forum about that here:
http://www.enz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=39459
If you’re outside Auckland, you’ll probably be able to find cheaper accommodation.
Try some of the options on our calculator here, to see what sort of choices your income will allow for:
http://www.enz.org/cost-of-living-in-new-zealand.html
Maybe in the north Island $28 is an average wage, South island you would be very very very lucky to ever attain that sort of hourly rate. What they all neglect to mention is the vast gap between south island and north island pay rates!!!
Hi everyone,
I’m a medical student from Italy and I’m thinking to move abroad after my degree. Could anyone explain how it works in NZ or tell me where I can find some infos? I have a few questions: what must be done to validate my degree and obtain the professional qualification to work in NZ? How does the post-graduate specialization work in NZ?
Thanks in advance for Your helpfulness.
Hello, I am an Administration/Office Manager for a Supermarket of just over 60 Staff. I also do the weekly payroll. I am an experienced Administrator with over 30 years experience. Can you please give me an indication of what you feel is a fair rate of pay.
Hi everyone I am 24years old due to get married this year. I am a Quantity Surveyor with a undergraduate and masters degree from a London University, and with 2 years experience for a groundworks contractor. My partner is manager for a courier company and runs the warehouse. We are thinking about moving to NZ when we get married this November. Could anyone give some advice in regards to our occupations and salary expectations as well as ease with finding work and accomodation?
Many thanks
Hi Rani,
You can have a look at the ENZ Survey results for Quantity Surveyors as a salary guide:
http://www.enz.org/salary-quantity-surveyor.html
Ive just been offered a skype interview for a job in NZ as a crane operator. The company is in Ashburton. A pre-cast concrete company. Any advice on wages/cost of living over there would be greatly appreciated. I currently live in the UK. Regards, Dave.
Hello,
I am currently working with central banks, with 6 years experience specialising in anti-money laundering areas – regulation and compliance.
Could you update if anti-money laundering – risk and compliance is demanded skills within the banking sectors in NZ. or other sectors such as government related agencies – financial regulators or enforcement agencies.
Can you share the salaries range as well for this business sectors.
Thank you
Hi guys,
I am a graduate Architect witha Bachelors degree in Architecture and have 2.5 years working experience. Living and working in Uganda, Africa but would like to move to NZ. What are the opportunities like in my profession for someone of my origin.
Please share the salaries range as well. Thanks
Angela
Hi there, 6 years ago I was in Management in Northland and earned $20 p/h plus vehicle. I left and studied further, got my Diploma in Info Systems, Digital Media and this year my A+ as well as MSCITP and Cisco certification. Work in the IT field seems scare here in Northland. The best I have been offered as an IT professional is at $17.50 per Hour. I feel like that’s a slap in the face after having studied all this time and trying to increase my employability. Is this a fair and a liveable rate or am I being exploited?
Thats exploitative pay. Ive been offered 46k entry level with a three year degree so not sure about that . my brother makes 50k after 1 year and with a similar diploma.
Hello!
I’m from Hungary. I’m a social care nurse since 2001. I worked at hospital dep. Head- Neck Surgery (operating room, ward, medical assistant), dep. Rehabilitation (ward), and dep. Intensive- and Toxicology (ward) and care home. My wife is head of an temporary family home 2-3 years (she has social diplom 12 years). We are 40 years. How much is the wages of the social sector in New Zealand? Have a chance us to work in your country? Validation certificates do in Hungary or New Zealand? How much is the average cost of living in a town, or suburb? Is possible to some study or training? Thank you for the answer!
Hi Norbert,
Thanks for your questions. I suggest you join our forum at http://www.enz.org/forum where you will get a lot of answers to your queries. We also have a salary survey which you may find useful.
Hi!
I’m Rica from Philippines, finished Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, and I’ve been working for almost 4 years as Finance Analyst here, is it possible for me to work there in New Zealand? I just love your country and been thinking of working there Thanks!
Hi I would like to know the hourly rate other Real Estate Persinal assistants are paid.
I have my Licence, and have been doing the job for one year being paid $20 per hour.
hello,
I was wondering what the average wage of unexperienced pilots is in new zealand.
thank you
Hi there,
I was wondering what the typical extra benefits for an IT consultant are in NZ (Auckland)… are there any lease cars involved or bonuses…
Any insurances or other benefits? What are the total vacation days in a year?
All in all… I’m looking for the complete overview
Thanks!
Henk
hi i am a qualified carpenter/ supervisor in the construction industry and am looking to move to NZ to help with the earthquake recovery program. I would like to find out the average wages in this industry and the living expenses also involved? rental housing cost average would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Chris