07/08/2018
SALARIES IN NEW ZEALAND
How do New Zealand salaries compare?
New Zealand wages vary greatly by industry and we also record regional variations: as a guideline, salaries are higher where the cost of living and housing is dearer.
The median, or middle, income in New Zealand was just under NZ$49,000 in 2016. There is also a minimum wage in New Zealand, but it will not meet the threshold to get any work visa.
SALARY PROPORTIONAL TO QUALIFICATION LEVEL
Your level of qualification will have a big effect on how much you can get paid in New Zealand with a Bachelor’s degree reported to earn up to 40% over the average income. The higher the qualification, the more you will earn. However, the subjects you studied, your work experience, the demand for your skills in New Zealand, and how well you can negotiate your entry salary will have an effect too. For instance in 2016, the highest paid Bachelor degree holders were in medical fields. The most successful diploma holders were in engineering. Getting a New Zealand qualification may also give you the leading edge in your search for skilled employment.
RESEARCH TO DETERMINE YOUR EXPECTATIONS
It is important to fully research the expected rates of salary for your given skills and work experience. It is also important to look into the cost of living in New Zealand which is generally considered high compared to the salaries offered. The trade-off is well recognised as the lifestyle that New Zealand brings and the environment to raise your children. Generally speaking, the average salary is lower than that of the UK and US (in 2012 the average salary for those working in New Zealand, based on the Purchasing Power Parity scale was $2,283, compared to $3,263 for the US and $3,065 for the UK), but being an average, some sectors do offer comparable salary rates.
CONSIDER THE OTHER BENEFITS
Your job offer may include non-monetary benefits
Many New Zealand companies offer more non-monetary benefits to their employees when compared with businesses in other countries. Company cars, company telephones, paid meals or fitness centre registrations are all often included in remuneration packages. Paid annual leave, however, may be slightly less than is common in the UK, with the average being 20 days per year. Another important point to note is that salaries are negotiable, to an extent, and most businesses do not advertise remuneration packages in job advertisements, so it will help to do your research beforehand to get an idea of what you should expect, or what you think you are worth. New Zealand Shores offers assistance and advice on your likely salary and the additional benefits that you can negotiate for each position.
THE HIGHEST PAID JOBS ARE…
The highest paid sectors in New Zealand over the last 5 years have been mining, electricity, gas and water supply, finance and information technology. In particular, employment positions in IT sales, digital architecture, and financial controlling regularly rank as the highest paid jobs in the country, along with doctors. The lowest paid jobs in New Zealand, relative to qualifications and experience, are all in the services sector, with hotel receptionists, waiters/waitresses and bar staff regularly being rated right at the bottom of the scale.
Highest-paying jobs in 2017 (source: Trademe)
Information architects (IT) $135,000
Data warehousing and Business Intelligence (IT) $115,000
Cybersecurity specialists $105,000
Construction project and contract management $105,000
IT Sales $105,000
Finance managers $100,000
Database experts $95,000
Quantity surveying $95,000
Surveying $95,000
Test analysts $95,000
Architects $85,000
Geotechnical engineers $85,000
Civil and structural engineers $85,000
Commercial property management $85,000
Accountants $75,000
Lowest-paying jobs in 2017 (source: Trademe)
Kitchen staff $32,000
Bar staff and baristas $33,000
Housekeeper $33,000
Retail assistant $33,000
Tour guide $35,000
Waiting staff $35,000
Machine operation $36,000
Receptionist $36,000
Store-person, warehouse $36,000
Security $37,000
Labourers $37,000
Cleaning $37,000
Warehouse and distribution $37,000
Administration $40,000
Horticulture worker $40,000
To find out more information, please refer to the Government’s Careers website, the MBIE, Trademe, and Seek.
