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New Zealand is well-renowned for its stunning landscapes and high quality of life; it offers a lucrative career path for architects. With a growing economy and a focus on sustainable development, the demand for skilled architects in the country is steadily increasing. This article provides a detailed description of the architect salary in New Zealand, exploring factors that influence compensation and offering insight into the career prospects of architects in this beautiful nation.
How Much Does an Architect Earn in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, architects typically earn an average yearly salary of NZD 121,800, or roughly NZD 10,150 per month. However, it’s important to note that this is just an average, and actual salaries can differ considerably based on factors such as an architect’s level of experience, where they work, and their area of expertise. For instance, entry-level architects might make around NZD 60,100 annually (NZD 5,008 monthly), whereas highly experienced architects with specialised skills can earn upwards of NZD 185,900 per year (NZD 15,491 monthly).
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Architect Salary in New Zealand Based On Experience Level
In New Zealand, an architect’s salary steadily increases with experience. Entry-level architects with 0 to 2 years of experience earn an average of NZD 72,400 per year. As they gain more experience, between 2 to 5 years, their average salary rises to about NZD 96,600 annually. With 5 to 10 years of experience, architects can expect to earn around NZD 127,600 per year. More seasoned professionals with 10 to 15 years of experience typically make about NZD 152,900 annually.
Those in the 15 to 20-year range earn an average of NZD 163,800, while architects with over 20 years of experience command the highest salaries, averaging around NZD 175,100 per year. This salary progression highlights the strong long-term earning potential in the architecture field in New Zealand.
Here’s a general overview of architect salaries in New Zealand based on experience levels:
| Experience | Average Salary Per Year |
| 0-2 Years | NZD 72,400 |
| 2-5 Years5 | NZD 96,600 |
| 5-10 Years | NZD 127,600 |
| 10-15 Years | NZD 152,900 |
| 15-20 Years | NZD 163,800 |
| 20+ Years | NZD 175,100 |
Architect Salary in New Zealand Based On Education Level
In New Zealand, an architect’s salary can also vary based on their level of education. Architects with a bachelor’s degree earn an average annual salary of around NZD 105,200. However, those who hold a master’s degree typically earn significantly more, with an average salary of about NZD 164,100 per year. This difference shows that higher education can lead to better earning potential in the architecture profession.
While education is a significant factor in determining salary. Here’s a general overview of how education can influence architect salaries in New Zealand:
| Education Level | Average Salary Per Year |
| Bachelor’s Degree | NZD 105,200 |
| Master’s Degree | NZD 164,100 |
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Architect Salary in New Zealand Based On Organisation
Several top companies in New Zealand offer attractive salary packages for architects, especially at senior levels. Warren and Mahoney, one of the country’s leading architectural firms, offers salaries ranging from NZD 230,000 to NZD 470,000 per year. Ignite Architects, known for its innovative designs and large-scale projects, pays between NZD 290,000 and NZD 370,000 annually. ASC Architects offers one of the highest salary ranges in the industry, from NZD 220,000 to NZD 700,000, depending on experience and role.
Meanwhile, Summerset Group Holdings, which focuses on retirement village development, offers more modest salaries, typically between NZD 100,000 and NZD 150,000 per year. These companies represent some of the best opportunities for architects seeking strong compensation and career growth in New Zealand.
Salary figures can vary significantly based on factors like company size, reputation, location, and specific project types. Here’s a general overview of how organisation type can influence architect salaries in New Zealand:
| Organization | Average Salary Per Year |
| AA Insurance | NZD 400,000- NZD 500,000 |
| Stephenson & Turner | NZD 100,000- NZD 200,000 |
| Design group Stapleton Elliott | NZD 290,000- NZD 320,000 |
| Tailored Home Architecture | NZD 190,000- NZD 200,000 |
| Jasmax Architectural | NZD 240,000- NZD 340,000 |
| Warren and Mahoney | NZD 230,000- NZD 470,000 |
| Ignite Architects | NZD 290,000- NZD 370,000 |
| ASC Architects | NZD 220,000- NZD 700,000 |
| Summerset Group Holdings | NZD 100,000- NZD 150,000 |
| JTB architects | NZD 200,000- NZD 250,000 |
| Isthmus Group Architectural | NZD 210,000- NZD 300,000 |
| Designgroup Stapleton Elliott Architectural | NZD 470,000- NZD 500,000 |
| Architecture HDT | NZD 200,000- NZD 300,000 |
| ArchOffice | NZD 200,000- NZD 300,000 |
| Jasmax | NZD 190,000- NZD 400,000 |
Architect Salary in New Zealand Based On Cities
Architect salaries in New Zealand can also vary depending on the city. In New Plymouth, architects earn an average annual salary of around NZD 102,000. In Hamilton, the average salary is slightly higher at NZD 111,700 per year.
Rotorua offers an average of about NZD 105,800 annually, while Wellington, the capital city, provides one of the highest averages at NZD 118,900 per year. These differences often reflect the local demand for architects, the cost of living, and the scale of construction and development projects in each area.
Here’s a general overview of how city location can influence architect salaries in New Zealand:
| Cities | Average Salary Per Year |
| Christchurch | NZD 127,700 |
| New Plymouth | NZD 102,000 |
| Hamilton | NZD 111,700 |
| Rotorua | NZD 105,800 |
| Wellington | NZD 118,900 |
| Dunedin | NZD 103,000 |
Architect Salary in New Zealand Based On Job Title
Here’s a general overview of how job titles can influence architect salaries in New Zealand:
| Job Positions | Average Salary Per Year |
| Architect | NZD 140,697 |
| Project Manager | NZD 114,899 |
| Lecturer | NZD 107,007 |
| Designer | NZD 90,815 |
| Instructor | NZD 62,207 |
| Lead Architect | NZD 125,826 |
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FAQs
In India, becoming an architect is an extremely lucrative job. In India, an architect can potentially make up to ₹35,000,000, while the average salary is approximately ₹21,50,000.
In New Zealand, the typical yearly compensation for an architect position falls between NZD 105,000 and NZD 125,000.
It is anticipated that this demand will increase at the same rate. There is a great need for competent architects in New Zealand due to the increase in infrastructure and development projects, particularly in Auckland.
In some industries, including computer hardware engineering and petroleum engineering, engineers can make far more money than architects.
This was detailed information about the average architect salary in New Zealand for 2025. For more such articles on salary, follow the Leverage Edu and Jobs Abroad page for the latest job updates.
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