Knowing where your salary sits relative to other New Zealanders helps you understand your financial position, negotiate pay, and plan your finances. Here’s the most comprehensive salary data available for NZ in 2026.
The median full-time salary in New Zealand is approximately $63,000–$65,000/year ($1,212–$1,250/week) in 2026. The mean (average) is higher at around $76,000–$80,000/year, pulled up by high earners. Auckland salaries are 10–15% above the national median; other regions are 5–20% below. The gender pay gap persists at approximately 8–9% on an hourly basis.
NZ Salary — Key Statistics 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Median full-time weekly earnings | $1,250/week ($65,000/year) |
| Mean full-time weekly earnings | $1,538/week ($79,976/year) |
| Median hourly earnings | $32.00/hour |
| Mean hourly earnings | $39.50/hour |
| Minimum wage | $23.15/hour (April 2026) |
| Living wage | $26.00/hour (2026, Living Wage Aotearoa) |
Sources: Stats NZ Quarterly Employment Survey (QES), Labour Market Statistics. Figures are approximate and subject to Stats NZ revisions.
Average Salary by Occupation — NZ 2026
Professional and managerial roles
| Occupation | Median annual salary |
|---|---|
| Chief Executive / General Manager | $150,000–$250,000+ |
| Software Engineer / Developer | $95,000–$135,000 |
| Medical Specialist (doctor) | $130,000–$250,000+ |
| Lawyer / Solicitor | $75,000–$160,000 |
| Accountant (qualified) | $75,000–$120,000 |
| Project Manager (IT/construction) | $90,000–$130,000 |
| Marketing Manager | $80,000–$120,000 |
| HR Manager | $80,000–$110,000 |
| Financial Analyst | $75,000–$110,000 |
| Architect | $75,000–$110,000 |
Trades and technical roles
| Occupation | Median annual salary |
|---|---|
| Electrician (qualified) | $70,000–$100,000 |
| Plumber (qualified) | $65,000–$95,000 |
| Builder / Carpenter | $60,000–$90,000 |
| Civil Engineer | $80,000–$120,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $75,000–$110,000 |
| Nurse (registered) | $65,000–$90,000 |
| Teacher (primary, secondary) | $55,000–$85,000 |
| IT Support / Systems Admin | $60,000–$90,000 |
| Data Analyst | $70,000–$100,000 |
Service and operational roles
| Occupation | Median annual salary |
|---|---|
| Police Officer | $65,000–$100,000 |
| Paramedic | $60,000–$85,000 |
| Chef (qualified) | $55,000–$75,000 |
| Real Estate Agent | $50,000–$120,000 (commission-variable) |
| Retail Manager | $55,000–$80,000 |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,000–$60,000 |
| Retail Sales | $42,000–$55,000 |
| Hospitality / F&B staff | $42,000–$52,000 |
| Warehouse / logistics | $48,000–$65,000 |
| Cleaner | $42,000–$50,000 |
Average Salary by Industry — NZ 2026
| Industry | Mean weekly earnings |
|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $1,950/week (~$101,400/yr) |
| Information Media and Telecommunications | $1,880/week (~$97,760/yr) |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical | $1,750/week (~$91,000/yr) |
| Electricity, Gas, Water | $1,680/week (~$87,360/yr) |
| Construction | $1,380/week (~$71,760/yr) |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $1,250/week (~$65,000/yr) |
| Education and Training | $1,200/week (~$62,400/yr) |
| Manufacturing | $1,230/week (~$63,960/yr) |
| Retail Trade | $985/week (~$51,220/yr) |
| Accommodation and Food Services | $880/week (~$45,760/yr) |
Average Salary by Region — NZ 2026
| Region | Median annual earnings | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | $73,000 | +12% |
| Wellington | $78,000 | +20% |
| Canterbury (Christchurch) | $65,000 | 0% |
| Waikato (Hamilton) | $62,000 | -5% |
| Bay of Plenty (Tauranga) | $61,000 | -6% |
| Otago (Dunedin) | $60,000 | -8% |
| Hawke’s Bay | $57,000 | -12% |
| Manawatū-Whanganui | $58,000 | -11% |
| Southland | $64,000 | -2% |
| Northland | $55,000 | -15% |
Wellington’s premium is driven by the concentration of government, public service, and policy roles. Southland’s relative strength reflects farming and industry wages. Northland’s lower median reflects a higher proportion of seasonal, agricultural, and service work.
Average Salary by Age — NZ 2026
| Age group | Median weekly earnings |
|---|---|
| 15–24 | $750/week (~$39,000/yr) |
| 25–34 | $1,130/week (~$58,760/yr) |
| 35–44 | $1,350/week (~$70,200/yr) |
| 45–54 | $1,380/week (~$71,760/yr) |
| 55–64 | $1,300/week (~$67,600/yr) |
| 65+ | $1,050/week (~$54,600/yr — typically part-time) |
Earnings peak in the 45–54 age bracket. The drop in 65+ reflects the shift to part-time work and NZ Super supplementation.
Gender Pay Gap in NZ
The gender pay gap in NZ persists:
| Metric | Gap |
|---|---|
| Hourly gender pay gap | ~8.2% |
| Annual earnings gap (full-time) | ~11% |
| Gap has narrowed since 2017 | ~3 percentage points |
Drivers of the gap: Occupational segregation (women concentrated in lower-paid sectors like education, health, care); part-time work rates higher among women; career breaks for caregiving; underrepresentation in senior/leadership roles.
Equal Pay Act 1972 (updated 2020): Makes it unlawful to pay different rates based on gender for equal or comparable work. Pay equity claims have increased in health, education, and social services since 2020 amendments.
NZ Salary vs Australia — Should You Cross the Ditch?
Australia’s median full-time salary is approximately AUD $90,000 (~NZD $97,000 at 2026 rates). NZ-to-Australia salary premiums tend to be 15–25% in comparable roles.
However: Australian living costs (particularly rent in Sydney and Melbourne) are 20–30% higher than NZ. The net benefit is real but smaller than the gross salary difference suggests.
Healthcare: Australia’s Medicare system and HECS student loan repayment structure differ significantly from NZ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary in New Zealand in 2026?
The mean full-time salary in NZ is approximately $79,000–$80,000/year in 2026. The median is around $63,000–$65,000/year. The mean is higher due to a small number of very high earners. For most people, the median is more representative.
What is a good salary in New Zealand?
A salary above the median ($65,000) puts you in the upper half of full-time earners. $80,000+ is a comfortable single income in provincial cities; in Auckland and Wellington, $80,000–$100,000 is a comfortable single income. Dual-income households earning $120,000+ combined have significantly more financial flexibility.
What is the minimum wage in NZ in 2026?
The adult minimum wage is $23.15/hour from April 2026. Full-time at minimum wage earns approximately $48,152/year gross. After PAYE and ACC levy, take-home pay is approximately $40,000/year.
How does NZ salary compare to Australia?
Australian full-time median earnings are approximately NZD $97,000 vs NZ’s $65,000 — a 49% nominal gap. In practice, after differences in living costs, tax rates, and healthcare costs, the real advantage is typically 15–25% depending on your role and location.
Where in NZ are salaries highest?
Wellington has the highest median earnings due to the concentration of government and professional services roles. Auckland has the second-highest median, with a 10–12% premium over the national average, though higher living costs offset much of this advantage.