Average Salary in New Zealand & Minimum Wage in 2025

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Average Salary in New Zealand

New Zealand is known for its strong economy, high quality of life, and attractive job opportunities. If you are planning to work in New Zealand. Understanding the average salary in New Zealand is one of the main and important steps. On average, employees earn around NZD 85,000 per year. 

However, salaries of professionals in New Zealand can vary based on the main factor that we need to consider while choosing the right career path. From entry-level roles to top executive positions, New Zealand offers competitive pay and plenty of growth opportunities, making it a popular choice for both locals and international professionals.

What is the Average Salary in New Zealand? 

The average salary in New Zealand gives a clear idea of what professionals can earn across different levels. On average, employees in New Zealand earn around NZD 85,000 per year, which equals NZD 7,991 monthly. Entry-level salaries start from NZD 24,800 per year (about NZD 2,066 per month), while the top earners can reach up to NZD 435,200 per year (about NZD 36,266 per month). 

This wide salary range highlights the difference between entry-level jobs, top-level executive positions and part-time jobs in New Zealand. Sectors like healthcare, engineering, and science, the highest-paying professions in New Zealand, offer a higher salary as compared to other professions. Similarly, most of the job profiles earn a good salary structure with various benefits. 

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Average Salary in New Zealand Based on Experience Level 

Work experience plays a major role in determining how much you can earn from a job in New Zealand. In most professions, as individuals gain more skills and experience, their salary levels also increase. Here is a general breakdown of the experience-wise average salary in New Zealand: 

Years of Experience Average Salary Per Year 
Junior Level Career NZD 40,000- NZD 50,000
Mid-Level Career NZD 50,000- NZD 80,000
Senior Level Career NZD 90,000- NZD 150,000
Top Management Career NZD 150,000- NZD 200,000

Average Salary in New Zealand Based on Education Level 

Your education level has a big impact on how much you can earn in New Zealand. Generally, the higher the qualification, the higher the salary potential. Here is an approximate breakdown of the education-wise average salary in New Zealand:  

Educational Qualification Average Salary Per Year 
High School and Certification NZD 40,500
Bachelor’s DegreeNZD 52,000
Master’s Degree NZD 85,800
PhD NZD 122,000

Check how to get Employment While You Study in New Zealand

Average Salary in New Zealand Based on Gender 

Like many other countries, New Zealand also has a gender pay gap. On average, male employees tend to earn more than female employees, even when working in similar roles.

This indicates that, on average, males in all occupations make 7% more money than women for doing the same work. Here is an approximate breakdown of the gender-wise average in New Zealand: 

Gender Average Salary Per Year
Male NZD 101,400
Female NZD 94,500

Average Salary in New Zealand Based on Cities 

Salaries in New Zealand can vary depending on the city you live and work in. Large cities with strong industries and higher living costs generally offer better pay compared to smaller towns. Here is an overview of the city-wise average salary in New Zealand: 

Cities Average Salary Per Year
AucklandNZD 109,000
WellingtonNZD 98,900
RotoruaNZD 90,000
HamiltonNZD 93,800
ChristchurchNZD 102,700

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Average Salary in New Zealand Based on Sector 

Salaries in New Zealand can differ a lot depending on the sector. In New Zealand, workers in the public sector make about 5% more than those in the private sector for the same position. 

Sector Average Salary Per Year 
Public Sector NZD 97,900
Private SectorNZD 93,100

Top Growing Industries in New Zealand

New Zealand’s economy is expanding in several key areas, creating strong job opportunities for local and international professionals. Here are some of the fastest-growing industries: 

  • Education
  • Medical Professionals
  • Legal Professionals 
  • Engineering 
  • Customer Service
  • IT Specialist
  • Financial 
  • Insurance 
  • Transport
  • Hospitality 
  • Architecture 

Average Salary in New Zealand Based on Industries 

Salaries in New Zealand can vary widely depending on the industry. Some sectors, like IT, healthcare, and finance, offer higher-than-average pay, while others, such as retail and hospitality, provide modest but steady earnings. Here is an overview of industry-wise average salary in New Zealand: 

Industries Average Salary Per Year 
ArchitectureNZD 80,000
SalesNZD 79,000
Finance NZD 75,600
Marketing and Advertising NZD 85,500
Information Technology NZD 90,000
Insurance NZD 60,000
Healthcare NZD 120,000
Customer Service NZD 45,000
Hospitality NZD 65,000
Construction NZD 70,000

Average Salary in New Zealand Based on Position

Your job title or position is one of the biggest factors that determine salary in New Zealand. Senior roles and specialised professions generally earn much higher than entry-level positions. Here is an overview of average salaries in New Zealand by position: 

Job PositionsAverage Salary Per Year 
LawyerNZD 65,000
Accountant NZD 50,000
Civil Engineer NZD 60,000
Software Engineer NZD 65,000
Data Entry Operator NZD 42,000
Cost Analyst NZD 45,000
Nurse NZD 50,000
Doctor NZD 75,000
Medical ReceptionistNZD 49,100
Management Economist NZD 50,500
Admin ClerkNZD 33,600
Front Desk ManagerNZD 73,300
Key Account AssistantNZD 55,700
LawyerNZD 65,900
Management Support SecretaryNZD 46,700
Project CoordinatorNZD 109,000
Teacher NZD 70,000
Customer Service NZD 50,000

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In conclusion, the average salary in New Zealand provides a good standard of living, with earnings varying based on major factors like experience, education, and industry. Doing a job in New Zealand opens a door for both fresher and experienced professionals and offers a good salary package and career growth.

FAQs

What is the minimum salary in NZ?

As of 2025, the minimum wage in New Zealand is NZD 23.50 per hour, which equals about NZD 7,991 per month. However, actual salaries can vary depending on factors such as work experience, educational qualifications, location, and the profession you choose.

Which job is the highest paid in New Zealand?

Commercial pilots, product managers, management consultants, data scientists, AI engineers, investment bankers, chartered accountants, marketing managers, UI/UX designers, and IT directors are among the highest-paying occupations.

What is the lowest-paying job in NZ?

In New Zealand, the services sector employs the lowest-paid workers in terms of education and experience; bartenders, waiters/waitresses, and hotel receptionists are frequently ranked toward the bottom of the pay scale.

Which field is best for the future in New Zealand?

Robotics, AI, machine learning, data science, and cybersecurity are among the most promising fields for the future in New Zealand, driven by their rapid development and application across various industries.

This was all about the average salary in New Zealand. If you want to know more about New Zealand follow our website Leverage Edu and stay tuned with Jobs Abroad pages for attest notification. 

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