What are the highest and lowest-paying jobs?

Many of the highest-paying jobs are in information technology

We look at which jobs are usually the highest and lowest paid according to a Trade Me survey, and how what you study can affect what you earn. 

Note that:

• The pay rates don't include overtime or bonuses, or other parts of salary packages such as a car.
• Some jobs, such as medical specialities, are not included as they are not usually advertised on Trade Me. 
• The survey doesn’t cover people who are self-employed or own a business.

Median income

The median, or middle, income in New Zealand was $48,800 a year or $23.50 per hour in 2016.

Highest-paying jobs

Highest median salaries for jobs advertised on Trade Me in 2017:

• 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 & controllers $100,000
• Database experts $95,000
• In-house legal cousel $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
• Financial analysts $85,000
• Commercial property management $85,000
• Accountants $75,000

Lowest-paying jobs

Lowest median salaries for jobs advertised on Trade Me in 2017:

• Kitchen staff $32,000
• Bar staff and baristas $33,000
• Housekeeper $33,000
• Retail assistant $33,000
• Assistant store managers $35,000
• Process and assembly worker $35,000
• Tour guide $35,000
• Waiting staff $35,000
• Machine operation $36,000
• Receptionist $36,000
• Storeperson, warehouse $36,000
• Merchandisers $37,000
• Security $37,000
• Labourers $37,000
• Cleaning $37,000
• Warehouse and distribution $37,000
• Administration $40,000
• Butchers and Bakers $40,000
• Beauticians $40,000
• Call centre workers $40,000
• Telesales $40,000
• Traffic management $40,000
• Horticulture worker $40,000

Study level and how it affects earnings

New Zealand research* shows that five years after qualifying, people with:

• Level 4 certificates, and Level 6 diplomas earn the average income
• Bachelor’s degrees earn 40% more than the average income
• postgraduate qualifications (Level 7 and 8 graduate certificates and diplomas, and Honours and Master's degrees) earn 60% more than the average income
• PhDs (doctorates) earn 100% more than the average income.

*This information is from Ministry of Education research on New Zealanders in work. The study didn't distinguish between full-time and part-time workers. This means it’s not possible to say whether differences in earnings are due to differences in wage rates or in the number of hours worked.

Ministry of Education website – more information about graduate earnings’ study

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