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Software Developer Salary in New Zealand: New Zealand is one of the most thriving tech hub countries that attracts various skilled software developers from around the world. The demand for talented individuals in this sector has led to competitive salaries and excellent career opportunities.
This article helps you understand about Software Developer Salary in New Zealand, exploring factors that influence earnings, average income levels, and the overall attractiveness of the New Zealand tech market for software development professionals.
This Blog Includes:
- How Much Does a Software Developer Earn in New Zealand?
- Software Developer Salary in New Zealand Based on Experience
- Software Developer Salary in New Zealand Based on Education
- Software Developer Salary in New Zealand Based on Organisation
- Software Developer Salary in New Zealand Based on Cities
- Software Developer Salary in New Zealand Based on Positions
- FAQs
How Much Does a Software Developer Earn in New Zealand?
Software developers in New Zealand command competitive salaries. On average, they earn a substantial NZD 91,500 annually, which equates to a monthly income of NZD 7,625. However, this is just an average; salaries can fluctuate significantly based on factors such as experience, specialisation, and location. At the lower end of the spectrum, a software developer might earn around NZD 46,100 per year (NZD 3,841 monthly), while those at the top of their field can command impressive salaries of up to NZD 142,300 annually (NZD 11,858 monthly).
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Software Developer Salary in New Zealand Based on Experience
In 2025, software developer salaries in New Zealand will increase steadily with experience. Entry-level developers (0–2 years of experience) typically earn around NZD 63,000 per year, making it a solid starting point for new graduates. As developers move into junior roles (2–4 years), salaries rise to approximately NZD 74,000, marking a 17% increase.
With 5 to 9 years of experience—classified as mid-level—the average salary reaches NZD 86,000, which is a 36% jump from entry-level positions. Senior developers (10–19 years) earn around NZD 96,000 annually, reflecting a 52% increase over those just starting out. For professionals with over 20 years of experience, salaries typically exceed NZD 105,000, especially for those in specialised or leadership positions.
A developer’s pay will increase as they move up from junior to mid-level positions. Programmers can expect greater pay and greater responsibilities as they develop experience and expertise. Here, we’ve underlined the degree of experience and the corresponding rise in pay scale:
| Experience | Average Salary Per Year |
| 0-2 Years | NZD 54,900 |
| 2-5 Years | NZD 72,700 |
| 5-10 Years | NZD 97,300 |
| 10-15 Years | NZD 115,600 |
| 15-20 Years | NZD 128,200 |
| 20+ Years | NZD 137,100 |
Software Developer Salary in New Zealand Based on Education
In 2025, software developers with only a high school diploma earn an average of NZD 58,000 annually. By earning a diploma or associate degree, developers see their salary rise by about 14%, averaging around NZD 72,000. A Bachelor’s degree provides a major boost, increasing potential earnings by 26% to an average of NZD 83,000—this is currently the most common qualification among developers in New Zealand’s tech workforce.
Those who pursue a Master’s degree enjoy an additional salary increase of 16%, with earnings around NZD 128,400, while developers with a PhD or doctorate can expect salaries of NZD 180,000 or higher, especially in research-heavy roles like AI, data science, or advanced software engineering. The jump from a Bachelor’s to a PhD represents an overall increase of about 30% in annual salary.
You can have an advantage in the employment market, particularly for entry-level roles, if you have a master’s degree in software engineering or a similar discipline. For seasoned experts, practical work experience frequently takes precedence over a more advanced degree. You may be able to make more money with more knowledge. The following is a list of software developer compensation ranges according to education level:
| Education | Average Salary Per Year |
| Certificate or Diploma | NZD 72,700 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | NZD 100,700 |
| Master’s Degree | NZD 128,400 |
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Software Developer Salary in New Zealand Based on Organisation
Developers at startups or small local firms earn around NZD 72,000, which is about 18% lower than the national average of NZD 88,130. Those employed at mid-sized companies see moderate improvement, with average salaries around NZD 84,000.
Working for large New Zealand-based corporations pushes annual earnings to about NZD 95,000, marking an 8% increase over the national average. The highest salaries go to those working for global tech firms operating in New Zealand. Companies like Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Datacom, or Xero offer average salaries of NZD 112,000 or more, representing a 27% premium over the national average, especially for roles in cloud infrastructure, security, or AI/ML engineering.
Software engineers in New Zealand are generally rewarded with flexible work schedules, competitive compensation, and a supportive work-life balance from their employers. Here is a list of some of the top corporations, along with their salary range:
| Organisation | Average Salary Per Year |
| Xero | NZD 1,04,366 |
| ASB Bank | NZD 90,137 |
| EROAD | NZD 98,863 |
| Aderant | NZD 82,745 |
| Datacom Systems | NZD 90,204 |
| Serko | NZD 114,534 |
| Orion Health | NZD 83,916 |
| Gentrack | NZD 88,848 |
| Westpac New Zealand | NZD 104,191 |
| Spark New Zealand | NZD 88,900 |
| Vista Entertainment Solutions | NZD 103,974 |
| Gallagher Group (New Zealand) | NZD 80,375 |
| Olympic Software | NZD 77,267 |
| Serato | NZD 91,733 |
| Air New Zealand | NZD 84,445 |
| Plexure | NZD 1,07,071 |
| Coretex | NZD 76,192 |
| ezyVet | NZD 79,500 |
| Fisher & Paykel Healthcare | NZD 100,583 |
| Atlassian | NZD 179,873 |
Software Developer Salary in New Zealand Based on Cities
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest tech hub, offers the highest average salary at NZD 97,000, which is about 10% higher than the national average. It is home to many tech startups, enterprises, and regional offices of global companies.
Wellington, the capital city, follows closely with an average salary of NZD 95,000, boosted by public-sector tech roles, fintech firms, and government IT contracts.
Compared to other cities with high pay scales, big IT hubs like Auckland, Christchurch, or Wellington often have higher salaries. Here are a few of New Zealand’s top cities according to high pay ranges:
| Cities | Average Salary Per Years |
| Auckland | NZD 105,800 |
| Christchurch | NZD 95,000 |
| Rotorua | NZD 85,100 |
| Wellington | NZD 94,300 |
| Hamilton | NZD 85,500 |
| New Plymouth | NZD 90,400 |
Software Developer Salary in New Zealand Based on Positions
In 2025, software developer salaries in New Zealand vary significantly based on job title and specialisation. Roles that demand greater responsibility, leadership, or niche technical skills tend to offer higher compensation.
New Zealand’s growing technological advancements have led to a wide range of high-paying tech jobs being accessible. Find out where software developer wages are most likely to be highest:
| Positions | Average Salary Per Year |
| Principal Software Engineer | NZD 160,000 |
| Software Development Engineer | NZD 100,000 |
| Software Development Engineer In Test (SDET) | NZD 77,527 |
| Software Engineer II | NZD 89,750 |
| Junior Software Engineer | NZD 70,176 |
| Senior Software Engineer | NZD 141,434 |
| Research Software Engineer | NZD 87,000 |
| .NET Developer | NZD 125,000 |
| Developer | NZD 105,000 |
| System Engineer | NZD 92,500 |
| Business Analyst | NZD 100,000 |
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FAQs
If you work as a software developer, you might be able to find employment that not only makes use of your abilities but also fits into a field or business that interests you. Sixty per cent of New Zealand’s top 200 tech companies are based in Auckland, a city renowned for its technological prowess.
To live comfortably, a family of four would need to make roughly NZD 162,000 (combined income). This includes cash for vacations and savings. A combined salary of NZD 120,000 would cover living expenses in Auckland but leave little room for savings.
Consequently, positions connected to software development, such as web developers, analyst programmers, developer programmers, software engineers, and other software and applications programmers, are included in Immigration New Zealand’s long-term skill shortage list.
In New Zealand, software developer salaries typically vary from NZD 95,000 to NZD 115,000 annually.
This was all about the average software developer salary in New Zealand. If you are interested in knowing more about salaries with different highest-paying professionals, follow Leverage Edu with our main page Jobs Abroad for the latest job updates.
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