Whether you're considering a career change, starting a new career, moving, or working, how much your skills are worth on the job market, knowing the average salary can help. Like elsewhere in the world, salaries vary wildly according to industry, location, education, and experience in New Zealand. Since New Zealand is a top destination for skilled workers, it's important to know how much you could earn. Here, we'll examine various average salaries in New Zealand, particularly how they vary according to factors like experience, region, education, and industry. We'll also examine tax rates, KiwiSaver, and the other financial factors that affect take-home pay.
Average Salary and Median Income in New Zealand
The average salary in New Zealand is roughly $70,000 per year. Again, this average isn't particularly useful because all it tells you is if you're earning more or less than the average person in New Zealand.
Generally, starting salaries in New Zealand average around $51,000 per year, with the most experienced professionals earning closer to $120,000 a year.
When reviewing income in New Zealand, it’s crucial to understand the difference between the average salary and the median salary.
- The average salary is the total of all incomes divided by the number of earners, which very high earners can skew.
- The median salary is the middle point of all wages; half earn more, half earn less, making it a more accurate reflection of what most people earn.
- In New Zealand, the average income is around NZ$70,000, but the median salary sits closer to NZ$62,000.
This matters when planning for mortgage eligibility, cost of living, or visa applications that involve income thresholds.
These figures can help give you a broad understanding of the going rates for living in New Zealand. Still, you'll see that looking at more specific factors will give you a better idea of what you can earn and whether or not you're being paid fairly.
The median salary, at $62,000 a year, is a better indicator. Again, all this really tells you is whether you earn more or less than half the working population of New Zealand.
per year based on a 40-hour work week.
Instead, let's look at some of the other factors that give a better indication of what you could or should earn.
How Education Impacts Salary in New Zealand: University vs No Degree
In many countries around the world, salary rates increase with higher education. This is because the higher the education attained, the fewer people can theoretically do a job requiring that education. Increased education and specialisation will lead to higher average salaries.
Here's how education will affect the average salary in New Zealand.
- No formal education: $40,000 per year
- Secondary education: $48,000 per year
- Undergraduate degree: $64,600 per year
- Postgraduate degree: $75,000 per year
Fields like engineering, healthcare, and finance naturally reward higher levels of education. Salaries reflect specialised skills and knowledge, especially in these areas. Conversely, there are still some good jobs for teenagers despite them mostly having no academic qualifications.
In Engineering, for example, a postgraduate degree pushes salaries above $100,000 a year, particularly in urban centres like Auckland and Wellington.
Wage Growth in New Zealand: Salary by Experience and Career Stage
Similar to how skills and knowledge can be gained through education, seniority and specialisation come with years in the same line of work.
Salary typically scales upwards with experience in New Zealand, too, and here you can see what that typically looks like.
- Entry-level (0-3 years): $45,000 to $55,000
- Mid-career (4-9 years): $60,000 to $85,000
- Senior-level (10+ years): $90,000 to $150,000
Across almost every industry, salary will increase with experience. However, in engineering, IT, finance, and business management, salaries scale upwards more with experience than in other industries.
Average Pay by City in New Zealand: Auckland, Wellington, and Beyond
Geographical location, even at a national level, will affect average salaries. Salaries aren't the same around the globe or identical across different parts of New Zealand.
There are too many factors that affect salaries by geography to go into here. Still, the main contributors are typically the cost of living and the types of businesses and industries in a given area.
Auckland, for example, offers the highest average salaries in New Zealand. It's the country's largest city and a major business hub, which equates to a higher cost of living and a concentration of high-paying industries. By contrast, smaller cities and rural areas offer lower average wages.
Let's see how location affects average salaries in New Zealand.
| City | Entry-Level (0–3 yrs) | Mid-Level (4–9 yrs) | Senior-Level (10+ yrs) | Top Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 60,000 – 70,000 | 80,000 – 100,000 | 110,000 – 130,000 | 140,000+ |
| Wellington | 58,000 – 68,000 | 75,000 – 95,000 | 105,000 – 120,000 | 130,000+ |
| Christchurch | 50,000 – 60,000 | 70,000 – 85,000 | 90,000 – 105,000 | 110,000+ |
| Hamilton | 48,000 – 58,000 | 65,000 – 80,000 | 85,000 – 100,000 | 105,000+ |
| Dunedin | 45,000 – 55,000 | 60,000 – 75,000 | 80,000 – 95,000 | 100,000+ |
| Rural Areas | 42,000 – 50,000 | 60,000 – 70,000 | 75,000 – 90,000 | 95,000+ |
If you’re moving to New Zealand for work, income thresholds tied to your visa matter.
As of June 2025, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) requires a minimum hourly wage of NZ$29.66, which equates to approximately NZ$61,692/year based on a 40-hour week.
Certain occupations on the Green List may be exempt or have different criteria. For partners of AEWV holders, a reduced threshold of NZ$23.15/hr applies.
These figures are crucial when budgeting your living costs, applying for a mortgage, or planning relocation.
We've already mentioned the cost of living, but pay particular attention to it. A higher average salary may seem appealing, especially if it's higher than where you're living. Still, if you don't consider the cost of living, you may have less disposable income at the end of each month.
Best-Paying Jobs and Business Sectors in New Zealand
Now that you know that increased education and experience lead to higher salaries, which are the highest-paying industries and jobs?
Technology and Engineering
The tech industry in New Zealand is booming, and software engineers, for example, can earn up to $130,000 a year.
Project managers and civil engineers are among the best-paid professionals, and they can expect salaries of around $90,000 to $100,000.
Healthcare
New Zealand's healthcare industry tends to pay some of the highest salaries. This is because the industry includes some of the highest-paid roles, like doctors and surgeons.
Medical specialists and consultants, for example, can earn over $150,000 per year, and general practitioners also earn incredibly well.
Finance and Business
The finance sector is specifically the industry that makes money, so it's hardly surprising that they have a lot of it.
Financial managers, CFOs, and senior analysts are among the highest-paying roles in this sector. Depending on the company, location, and seniority, these roles can earn between $100,000 and $250,000 a year. Business executives and high-level consultants also earn incredibly well.
Legal Services
Law, medicine, finance, and tech are typically the industries that earn well anywhere in the world. The same is true in New Zealand, where lawyers and solicitors, especially those in corporate or property law, earn between $100,000 and $200,000.
| Job Title | Typical Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Surgeon / Specialist Doctor | 180,000 – 300,000 |
| Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | 150,000 – 250,000 |
| Software Architect / IT Lead | 120,000 – 180,000 |
| Corporate Lawyer | 100,000 – 200,000 |
| Engineering Manager | 120,000 – 160,000 |
| General Practitioner (GP) | 100,000 – 180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 95,000 – 160,000 |
| Construction Project Manager | 90,000 – 150,000 |
| Airline Pilot | 100,000 – 180,000 |
| Petroleum Engineer | 100,000 – 160,000 |
Top Jobs in New Zealand Without a University Degree
While increased education normally equates to a higher salary, certain industries and roles buck this trend.
In New Zealand, tradespeople like electricians and plumbers can earn between $60,000 and $70,000 a year, equivalent to an undergraduate and postgraduate degree salary.
That said, this doesn't mean that these jobs don't require training or qualifications; it's just that these jobs don't necessarily require academic qualifications.
Roles in sales are also outliers, with sales managers earning over $80,000 yearly and real estate agents in the right markets, like Auckland, earning over $100,000.
Remote Work and Freelance Salary Rates in New Zealand
The rise of remote work has allowed employees to almost ignore the geographical factor that affects wages.
IT roles, particularly in software development and data analysis, can earn between $70,000 and $90,000, even from more rural parts of New Zealand or while studying as a student in a university.
Freelance consultants in finance, business, or marketing can earn between $50,000 and $100,000 depending on performance and experience.
Beyond salary and tax rates, many workers choose New Zealand for its exceptional quality of life.
According to global surveys, New Zealand consistently ranks in the top 5 for work-life balance, employee satisfaction, and personal well-being.
Most employees receive at least 20 days of paid annual leave, with additional public holidays and strong workplace protections.
The country’s strong focus on mental health, remote work, and family time adds real value to your annual earnings and long-term happiness.
Wage Growth, Financial Trends, and Cost of Living in New Zealand
So, what does the future look like for the average salary in New Zealand?
In recent years, New Zealand has experienced consistent wage growth. Salaries have risen by around 5% in the last year, and the country's strong economic performance and high-paying industries like tech, healthcare, and finance have seen the strongest wage growth.
over the past year.
That said, wages don't exist in isolation, and the cost of living in New Zealand puts pressure on take-home pay. Housing costs, in particular, are making things very difficult for New Zealanders, which is why there are government initiatives like KiwiSaver to help people plan for retirement.
NZD Tax Rates, KiwiSaver, and Insurance Costs Explained
New Zealand's taxes are progressive, meaning that higher earners pay a greater percentage of their income in taxes. The brackets range from 10.5% for lower earners to 33% for higher earners.
The government's retirement savings plan, KiwiSaver, means that employees and employers contribute to retirement plans.
Take-Home Pay in New Zealand: Salary Calculator and Tax Breakdown
How much do you actually get when you work?
Luckily, there are plenty of online salary calculators you can use. They take your salary, tax bracket, and KiwiSaver contributions to tell you how much of your weekly or monthly earnings will end up in your pocket.
Imagine earning around $70,000 a year and contributing 3% to KiwiSaver. Your net income after taxes would be closer to $54,000 per year.
What Employers Are Looking for in 2025
Qualifications aren't the only thing that employers look for in 2025. Now, more than ever, there are several soft skills they look for, with a particular focus on adaptability and tech literacy.
- Communication and collaboration skills, especially in hybrid or remote teams.
- Digital competence, including AI fluency, data handling, and workflow automation tools.
- Cultural fit, particularly in values-led sectors like healthcare, education, and environmental services.
Industries such as tech and finance seek problem-solving and cross-functional teamwork, which can outweigh years of experience in certain roles. There are also benefits to having done freelance work or obtained certifications and pursued ongoing study outside of university, rather than pursuing a degree.
Applicants who demonstrate initiative are more likely to be employed than those with a degree but no relevant experience. That said, certain places will require formal qualifications, just don't assume that your university degree will automatically land you the best jobs.
Study Support and Skills to Increase Your Income in New Zealand
As you've seen, higher wages come with higher education or better skills (typically with experience).
You can circumvent this by learning new skills with a private tutor. No matter what you want to learn, there's likely an experienced and qualified private tutor.
Whether it's for help with your education with academic tutors or developing in-demand skills for the job market, you can find tutors across New Zealand and worldwide.
Many offer the first session for free, so why not try a few before choosing the right one for you and your career goals?
We recommend creating a list of requirements and shortlisting those that meet you requirements before you start contacting them. From there, you can sort them by preference and start by contacting the ones at the top of your list.
From there, once you've picked a suitable tutor, you can organise your sessions.
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