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According to the OECD’s formula, in 2021 the average salary in New Zealand was ≈USD$46,976 or ≈NZD$83,845.
New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington consistently ranks alongside Auckland as the city with the highest average salary.
Data from the Economic Research Institute suggests that, in 2022, the average salary in Wellington is ≈NZD$75,142.
In New Zealand, the cities of Wellington and Auckland have higher average salaries.
The higher cost of living in these two cities, particularly housing costs, is cited as the primary factor driving wage inflation. Another factor is the industry clusters in different regions; Wellington is the seat of government and has a strong legal and tech industries, whilst Auckland is New Zealand’s main financial center.
Australia is comparable to New Zealand in terms of language, culture and level of economic development. According to the OECD, the average salary in Australia was ≈AUD$88,929 / ≈USD$56,600 in 2021.
Therefore, New Zealand has a lower average salary than that of Australia. The difference between the 2021 figures was roughly USD$10,000.
All figures taken from careers.govt.nz.
The median salary for IT workers in New Zealand is NZD$105,000 with a pay range of NZD$50,000 to NZD$200,000. Science and Technology has a median salary of NZD$65,000 with a pay range of NZD$42,000 to NZD$115,000.
Engineers in New Zealand earn a median salary of NZD$75,000 with a pay range between NZD$48,000 and NZD$130,000.
In New Zealand, the median salary for Salespeople is $65,000 with a pay range starting at NZD$42,000 and rising to NZD$115,000.
Our in-country experts cover New Zealand employment law and the recruitment process itself. For in-depth analysis of your industry including up-to-date, expert advice on hiring employees in New Zealand, contact us for a free consultation.
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Your business can easily hire employees in New Zealand without opening a local entity. We handle local employment law, complex tax regulations, and international payroll in 180+ countries worldwide. All you need to do is focus on your business.
As the capital city and seat of central government, Wellington attracts high-value professional services such as law and management consulting. Wellington is also home to a burgeoning startup ecosystem and technical services related to film production.
One option is to hire a contractor in New Zealand. The added flexibility for both parties reduces the costs inherent with employing a full time employee. Alternatively, consider expanding into a different market. Horizons operate in 150 locations across the world, it’s likely we can find a solution to your specific recruitment needs. As the industry leader Horizons offer a range of strategic global recruitment services that are designed to help businesses meet hiring objectives whilst reducing costs and remaining compliant with local laws.
At NZD$55,736, the Tasman District on New Zealand’s South Island has the lowest average salary. Known for its stunning natural beauty, Tasman is sparsely populated with the majority of businesses engaged in agriculture and seasonal tourism.
