Average Salary in New Zealand

Table of Contents

How much does a New Zealand worker make?

The average annual salary in New Zealand is roughly NZ 97,300. The salary ranges from NZ 24,600 to NZ 434,000 per year.

It includes housing, transportation, and other perks in the average annual pay. There is a huge disparity in pay across various professions. In general, workers in New Zealand earn more than the global average. The cost of living is also relatively high in New Zealand when compared to other countries.

There are differences in wages across different regions in New Zealand. Auckland is the most expensive city to live in, while Christchurch is the cheapest. Salaries also differ depending on the size of the company. Small businesses tend to pay less than large corporations.

New Zealand’s Salary Distribution

The Pay Scale

The annual salary range in New Zealand is 24,600 NZD to 434,000 NZD. The median salary is 72,560 NZD. The lowest 10% earn less than 24,600 NZD, and the highest 10% earn more than 434,000 NZD.

Salary Average

Only half of New Zealand’s population earns less than the median annual pay (91,400 NZD), while the other half earns more than the median annual salary. The average salary in New Zealand is 48,829 NZD per year or 24.18 per hour.

Percentiles

75% of the population earns more than 52,200 New Zealand dollars, and 25% earn less than this amount. The median salary is 54,000 New Zealand dollars.

In order to make more money in New Zealand, it is important to understand what the average salary is for different types of jobs. For example, the median annual salary for a doctor is 120,000 NZD. This means that half of all doctors earn more than this amount, and half earn less. The median salary for a teacher is 79,000 NZD per year.

When looking at salaries, it is also important to consider the cost of living in different parts of the country. In general, cities tend to have higher costs of living than rural areas. For example, the cost of living in Auckland is about 20% higher than the national average.

This means that someone who earns the average salary in Auckland would need to earn 20% more than the national average salary in order to have the same standard of living.

How does the median pay vary from the average wage?

Both average and median salaries are indicators. However, the median salary is a better measure of ‘middle’ earnings as it is less affected by the outliers (very high or low earning individuals). The average salary includes these extremes, which can skew the data.

So, while both measures have increased in recent years, the average wage has increased at a faster rate.

Comparison of New Zealand Wages based on Years of Experience

What happens to a person’s wage over time?

The results show that, in general, a person’s wage does increase as they gain more experience. However, there are some notable exceptions to this trend. For example, workers aged 25-34 actually earn less than those aged 15-24.

This is likely due to the fact that many young people enter the workforce with little experience and therefore start on a lower salary.

In New Zealand, workers earn around NZD 50,000 a year on average. However, there is a lot of variation in earnings, with some people earning much more and some earning much less.

The median wage (the wage at which half of the workers earn more and half earn less) is NZD 48,000. This means that half of the workers earn less than NZD 48,000 a year and a half earn more.

Comparison of New Zealand’s Earnings by Education

Is there a correlation between education level and salary?

Generally speaking, workers in New Zealand that has higher education levels earn more.

However, it’s important to note that this isn’t always the case. For example, some occupations such as teaching or social work are relatively low-paid regardless of the worker’s educational level. And, of course, there are many other factors that affect earnings such as experience, location, and type of job.

Bachelor’s degree workers earn, on average, 20% more than those with no formal qualification.
Workers with a post-graduate degree earn, on average, 36% more than those with a Bachelor’s degree.
Workers with a doctorate or higher degree earn, on average, 74% more than those with a Bachelor’s degree.

The Gender Pay Gap in New Zealand

On average, men in New Zealand earn 5% more than women in the country’s various industries. In some cases, the gender pay gap is much higher. For example, in the banking and finance industry, men earn 18% more than women.

There are a number of reasons why the gender pay gap exists in New Zealand. One reason is that women are more likely to work part-time or in lower-paid industries. Another reason is that women are more likely to take time out of their careers to care for children or elderly relatives.

The government has set a target of eliminating the gender pay gap by 2028.

To achieve this, a number of initiatives have been put in places, such as equal pay audits for businesses with more than 100 employees and a requirement for large companies to report on their gender pay gaps.

New Zealand’s Average Annual Salary Increase Percentage

How big are New Zealand’s yearly wage increases? How frequently are workers given raises?

Every 16 months, New Zealand workers may expect to get an 8% rise in their wages. New Zealand workers receive some of the highest average salary increases in the world.

The average salary in New Zealand will rise by 3.5% in 2020, followed by a 3.9% rise in 2021 and a 4.2% increase in, according to Mercer’s 2019/20 Global Salary Forecast.

These findings are based on data from over 5,000 organizations across 30 countries, including New Zealand. They show that workers in New Zealand can expect to see their salaries increase at a rate that is faster than inflation and the global average salary increase percentage.

Annual Growth Rate in New Zealand’s Industry by

Education – 5%
Tourism – 6%
Construction – 3%
Health and Social Services – 3%
Finance and Insurance – 2%
Retail and Wholesale Trade – 1%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services – 4%
Information Media and Telecommunications – 5%
Manufacturing – 2%
Accommodation and Food Services – 5%
Mining – 4%

Average Rate of Salary Growth by Level of Experience

Entry-level workers in New Zealand may expect to see an average salary increase of 3.1% in. This is lower than the rate of growth for entry-level salaries in 2021, which was 4.0%.

Mid-career workers can expect to see an average salary increase of 2.7% in. This is also lower than the rate of growth for mid-career salaries in 2021, which was 3.5%.

Experienced workers can expect to see an average salary increase of 2.3% in. This is lower than the rate of growth for experienced salaries in 2021, which was 3.2%.

Take note that these are just averages, and your actual salary growth may be higher or lower than these rates, depending on your individual circumstances.

If you want to maximize your chances of getting a salary increase in, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and developments. You should also aim to develop your skills and experience as much as possible.

While New Zealanders can expect to see an average salary growth of 2.7% in, this is still lower than the rate of growth for salaries in 2021.

In order to maximize your chances of receiving a salary increase, it is important to keep up with the latest industry trends and developments as well as continue to develop your skills and experience.

New Zealand’s Bonus & Incentive Rates

What are the bonus amounts and frequency?

Employees in NZ reported receiving no bonuses or incentives in the last year, whereas 51% stated they got at least one sort of monetary compensation in the past year.

Bonuses ranged from 3% to 5% of yearly compensation for those who received them. The median bonus was 2,050 NZD.

Vacation days in NZ are regulated by the Employment Relations Act 2000 (the ERA). Under the ERA, employees are entitled to four weeks of paid annual holidays. This entitlement can be pro-rated for part-time and shift workers.

Public holidays in New Zealand include New Year’s Day, Waitangi Day, Anzac Day, Easter Monday, Queen’s Birthday, Labour Day, and Boxing Day.

In addition to statutory holidays, many employers also offer their employees “lieu days”. Lieu days are extra days off work that can be taken in lieu of working on a public holiday. For example, if an employee works on Christmas Day (a public holiday), they may be able to take another day off work at a later date.

Sick days in NZ are governed by the Employment Relations Act 2000 (the ERA). Under the ERA, employees are entitled to five days of paid sick leave per year. This entitlement can be pro-rated for part-time and shift workers.

Employees can carry over any unused sick leave from one year to the next, up to a maximum of 20 days.

Various Forms of Bonus Payments

Individual Bonuses Based on Performance

This kind of bonus is more common in fast-paced industries such as sales or certain types of customer service. It’s a way to reward employees for meeting or exceeding targets, and it can be a powerful motivator.

If an employee consistently meets their targets, they can expect to receive a bonus at the end of each month or quarter. The size of the bonus will depend on how well they’ve done – so it could be a small percentage of their salary or a larger sum of money.

Company Performance-Based Bonuses

In some organisations, all employees receive a bonus if the company hits its targets. This is usually a percentage of their salary, and it’s paid out at the end of the year.

One type of this is a profit-sharing scheme where a company shares its profits with its employees. The amount each employee receives depends on how profitable the company has been and how long they’ve been with the organisation.

Employees may also be given shares in the company as part of their bonus package. This gives them a financial stake in the business and can motivate them to work harder to help it succeed.

Bonus payments can be a great way to reward employees for their hard work and loyalty. They can also help to motivate staff and keep them engaged with their job. If you’re thinking of introducing a bonus scheme, make sure you understand the tax implications first.

Bonuses Based on Achievement of Goals

Achievement of sales goals is another factor that can lead to bonus payments. If an employee hits their targets, they may be in line for a performance-related bonus. This could be a one-off payment or it could be added to their salary on a monthly or quarterly basis.

The size of the bonus will depend on how much the employee has sold and how difficult it was to achieve the target.

For example, if they’ve exceeded their target by a small amount, they may only receive a small bonus. But if they’ve smashed their target by a large margin, they could get a much bigger bonus.

Seasonal / Year-End Bonuses

In some organisations, employees receive a bonus at the end of the year as a thank-you for their efforts over the past 12 months. This is common in businesses that are busy at certain times of the year, such as retailers or restaurants.

The size of the bonus will depend on factors such as how well the company has done and how long the employee has been with the organisation

It’s also worth noting that some companies give their employees a salary increase instead of a bonus – so it’s worth checking with your employer to see what they offer.

Bonus Rates in New Zealand by Profession

What makes a job worth the high pay and generous bonuses?

There are jobs that are worth the high pay and bonuses because of the difficult working conditions, long hours, or high levels of responsibility. Some jobs are worth the high pay and bonuses because they are simply in high demand.

No matter what the reason is, if you have one of these in-demand jobs, you can expect to earn a good salary.

Here are some examples of in-demand jobs in New Zealand that come with great salaries:

1. Doctors and surgeons

With a median salary of 168,000 NZD per year, doctors and surgeons top the list of highest-paid professionals in New Zealand. They also receive generous bonuses, with an average bonus rate of 10%.

2. Lawyers

Lawyers are another well-paid profession, with a median salary of 147,000 NZD per year. They also receive bonuses at an average rate of 9%.

3. Accountants

Accountants earn a median salary of 140,000 NZD per year and receive bonuses at an average rate of 8%.

4. Managers

Managers are another high-paying profession, with a median salary of 136,000 NZD per year. They also receive bonuses at an average rate of 7%.

5. Engineers

Engineers are in high demand in New Zealand, with a median salary of 130,000 NZD per year. They also receive bonuses at an average rate of 6%.

6. IT professionals

IT professionals are in high demand in New Zealand, with a median salary of 129,000 NZD per year. They also receive bonuses at an average rate of 6%.

7. Sales professionals

Sales professionals are in high demand in New Zealand, with a median salary of 121,000 NZD per year. They also receive bonuses at an average rate of 5%.

8. Marketing professionals

Marketing professionals are in high demand in New Zealand, with a median salary of 121,000 NZD per year. They also receive bonuses at an average rate of 5%.

9. Human resources professionals

Human resources professionals are in high demand in New Zealand, with a median salary of 114,000 NZD per year. They also receive bonuses at an average rate of 4%.

Comparative Analysis of Seniority-Based Bonuses in New Zealand

Long tenured workers in New Zealand are provided with higher bonuses compared to their counterparts in other countries. Senior workers are also more likely to be given paid time off, flexible work hours, and other benefits. The average salary in New Zealand for a senior worker is therefore significantly higher than the global average.

This is good news for those considering a move to New Zealand, as it means that there are opportunities to earn high wages.

However, it is important to note that the cost of living in New Zealand is also high, so workers will need to be aware of this before making the decision to relocate.

Salary Ranges in New Zealand for Commonly Held Professions

Automotive

Mechanic – 37,600 NZD
Service Advisor6 – 3,300 NZD
Parts Specialist – 3,100 NZD
Auto Body Technician – 4,500 NZD

Construction

Carpenter – 4,000 NZD
Plumber – 3,900 NZD
Electrician – 4,200 NZD
Laborer – 2,800 NZD

Information Technology

Computer Support Specialist- 4,300 NZD
Database Administrator – 5,000 NZD
Programmer Analyst – 5,600 NZD

Sales and Management

Restaurant Manager – 4,500 NZD
Retail Store Manager- 3,100 NZD
Sales Account Executive- 4,100 NZD
Inside Sales Representative- 2,900 NZD
Field Sales Representative- 3,400 NZD

Medical

Registered Nurse- 4,000 NZD
Physician Assistant – 5,100 NZD
Physical Therapist- 4,200 NZD
Occupational Therapist- 3,900 NZD
Pharmacist – 5,700 NZD

Comparing Wages in Different New Zealand Cities

Auckland employees earn the highest receiving 108,000 NZD while Christchurch and Wellington earn 104,000 NZD and 103,000 NZD respectively. On the other end of the scale is Invercargill where workers receive an average salary of just 72,000 NZD.

Although Auckland has the highest average salary, it is important to note that the cost of living in the city is also higher than in other parts of New Zealand. When comparing salaries across different cities, it is important to consider the cost of living in each location.

New Zealand’s Hourly Wage

In New Zealand, the average hourly earnings are 47 NZD. This average hourly compensation also depends on the industry, with the retail and hospitality sector having the lowest average hourly compensation of 36 NZD, while the finance and insurance sector has the highest average hourly compensation of 60 NZD.

Comparison of Wages in the Public and Private Sectors

Overall, New Zealand’s public sector workers earn 5% more than their private-sector colleagues. In the public sector, the average salary is 65,000 NZD per year while in the private sector it is 61,500 NZD per year.

However, when we compare wages across different sectors, we see that there are some notable differences. For example, workers in the healthcare sector earn an average of 69,000 NZD per year while those in the education sector earn an average of 64,000 NZD per year.