A guide to salaries in your industry

Money. It’s one of the main considerations for people when it comes to accepting, staying or moving into a job, yet it’s also one of the most difficult things to talk about.

The hardest thing is knowing where to pitch yourself: go too low and you could be underselling yourself; pitch too high and you could be overlooked.

When it comes to your salary range, there are so many factors that can impact how much money you should be asking for. How long you’ve worked in the industry, your qualifications, your achievements, where you live, the demand for your skills, the company hiring and industry trends can all play a part.

There's been a 4.7% rise in salaries over the past year, according to SEEK's Advertised Salary Index for May, and there continue to be many job opportunities on SEEK for workers across New Zealand.

To help you get a feel for what roles typically pay, we took a look at the average salaries for jobs advertised on SEEK across 25 industries and more than 300 different roles. Select an industry below to start exploring.
 

Explore Average salaries in your industry

Role type
Average salary
Accountant $80,060
Assistant Accountant $69,971
Financial Accountant $103,079
Accounts Administrator $61,269
Finance Manager $125,431
Accounts Payable Role $62,886
Business Advisory Accountant $81,289
Finance Business Partner $125,693
Payroll Officer $74,595
Credit Controller $65,311
Payroll Administrator $65,146
Financial Controller $145,505
Financial Analyst $104,809

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Administration Officer $55,561
Receptionist $50,919
Executive Assistant $76,631
Personal Assistant $67,670
Coordinator $62,022
Team Administrator $59,789
Project Administrator $63,912
Project Coordinator $70,146
Customer Service Representative $54,786
Contracts Administrator $61,021

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Account Manager $78,987
Journalist $70,764
Reporter $63,594
Producer $70,546
Editor $91,132

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Analyst $98,520
Manager $149,250
Financial Adviser $104,284
Customer Service Representative $57,253
Relationship Manager $127,885
Banker $63,750
Consultant $63,101

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Customer Service Representative $53,038
Call Centre Operator $52,461
Collections Specialist $53,097
Customer Support Officer $55,082
Team Leader $76,952
Customer Service Adviser $57,546

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Support Worker $50,142
Social Worker $77,515
Caregiver $47,336
Youth Worker $53,617
Coordinator $62,800
Navigator $60,911
Case Manager $70,315
Team Leader $73,570
Adviser $98,087
Probation Officer $65,248
Service Manager $78,863
Lifestyle Coordinator $49,878
Support Manager $80,488
Facilitator $59,727
Advocate $61,014

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Project Manager $126,586
Quantity Surveyor $117,826
Operator $57,719
Site Traffic Management Supervisor $58,834
Estimator $105,154
Foreperson $76,173
Machine Operator $59,945
Contracts Manager $113,672
Site Supervisor $108,125
Operations Manager $116,771
Traffic Controller $51,357
Construction Manager $158,816
Health and Safety Adviser $97,393
Surveyor $103,160
Supervisor $92,724
Commercial Manager $180,522
Leading Hand $68,623

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Adviser $119,285
Change Manager $149,242
Planner $97,017
Policy Adviser $96,924
Analyst $94,626

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Graphic Designer $67,093
Planner $98,200
Architectural Technician $89,220
Graduate of Architecture $76,373
Architect $113,523
Project Architect $121,987
Architectural Designer $85,353
Landscape Architect $91,107

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Early Childhood Teacher $61,422
Teachers Aide $52,873
Teacher $68,175
Tutor $64,719
Lecturer $90,311
Reliever $57,141
Kaiako $60,176
Manager $118,520
Centre Manager $79,677
Adviser $84,486
First Aid Instructor $56,302
Facilitator $78,174
Librarian $62,150
Childcare Worker $43,875
Team Leader $75,830
Program Coordinator $59,213
Kaiawhina $54,244

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Project Engineer $109,985
Civil Engineer $102,105
Structural Engineer $108,917
Engineer $96,592
Project Manager $123,836
Maintenance Engineer $85,175
Mechanical Engineer $101,073
Geotechnical Engineer $104,126
Electrical Engineer $100,507
Design Engineer $99,452
Process Engineer $109,472
Site Engineer $91,643
Engineering Geologist $94,568
Engineering Manager $148,340
Automation Engineer $105,187
Maintenance Fitter $78,601
Mechanical Design Engineer $98,389
Technical Director $178,107
Systems Engineer $102,836

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Veterinary Nurse $54,444
Veterinarian $103,720
Ranger $61,875
Animal Attendant $45,681
Adviser $91,657

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Adviser $111,196
Analyst $109,344
Policy Analyst $104,927
Manager $150,244
Team Leader $109,010
Compliance Officer $79,452
Intelligence Analyst $98,038
Correctional Officer $63,355
Project Manager $123,215
Governance Adviser $101,172
Business Analyst $120,631
Planner $88,656
Data Analyst $92,323

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Registered Nurse $76,086
Healthcare Assistant $52,423
Physiotherapist $77,260
Pharmacist $88,939
Medical Receptionist $52,724
Occupational Therapist $76,150
Dental Assistant $50,006
General Practitioner $197,791
Social Worker $70,825
Psychologist $98,013
Support Worker $49,821
Enrolled Nurse $69,966
Dispensary Technician $55,118
Health Improvement Practitioner $81,406
Clinical Manager $93,950
Sonographer $128,468

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Chef $56,433
Duty Manager $55,570
Team Member $44,851
Sous Chef $63,410
Housekeeper $48,486
Kitchen Hand $48,499
Barista $49,436
Cook $53,962
Head Chef $73,762
Food and Beverage Attendant $48,851
Room Attendant $47,472
Restaurant Manager $64,495
Assistant Restaurant Manager $57,062
Front of House Role $51,122
Waitperson $52,467
Guest Services Agent $48,612
Bartender $52,900

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Recruitment Consultant $76,371
Human Resources Adviser $90,602
Human Resources Business Partner $119,266
Human Resources Coordinator $65,806
Human Resources Manager $117,993
Human Resources Administrator $58,081
People and Culture Adviser $88,715
Recruitment Adviser $81,017
Adviser $110,486
Recruitment Coordinator $62,316
Health and Safety Manager $132,725
Rostering Manager $80,273
People and Culture Manager $135,024
Health and Safety Coordinator $69,700
Learning and Development Role $109,901

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Business Analyst $132,631
Project Manager $145,695
Software Engineer $116,678
Systems Engineer $101,486
Data Engineer $132,380
Software Developer $112,393
Full Stack Developer $120,960
Solutions Architect $162,019
Testing Analyst $111,895
Data Analyst $101,560
Service Desk Analyst $61,632
Engineer $122,434
Project Coordinator $83,403
Product Owner $130,887
.Net Developer $126,134
Network Engineer $113,976
Technical Lead $153,246

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Broker $68,208
Claims Consultant $63,838
Commercial Broker $81,094
Claims Adviser $69,342
Underwriter $107,324

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Solicitor $94,051
Legal Counsel $134,534
Legal Secretary $67,297
Legal Executive $74,772
Senior Associate $151,454
Commercial Solicitor $105,714
Property Solicitor $99,855

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Storeperson $51,630
Delivery Driver $52,707
Machine Operator $52,274
Forklift Driver $51,339
Driver $57,025
Warehouse Assistant $50,694
Operations Manager $108,345
Process Worker $46,238
Operator $54,590
Heavy Combination Driver $62,473
Warehouse Operator $53,616
Picker and Packer $45,374
Processing Officer $47,746
Team Leader $65,430

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Communications Adviser $96,356
Marketing Manager $107,954
Marketing Coordinator $63,486
Marketing Executive $72,631
Marketing Specialist $81,491
Brand Manager $97,630
Communications Manager $114,217
Product Manager $124,025
Events Coordinator $61,737
Marketing Assistant $55,337
Digital Marketing Manager $103,663
Graphic Designer $66,266

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Line Mechanic $71,965
Cable Jointer $76,296
Project Manager $120,375
Terminal Operator $66,929
Heavy Vehicle Plant Mechanic $162,500

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Property Manager $69,917
Real Estate Salesperson $99,785
Facilities Manager $99,817
Real Estate Agent $90,298
Facilities Coordinator $69,582

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Store Manager $58,783
Retail Sales Assistant $47,004
Merchandiser $45,834
Assistant Store Manager $55,276
Customer Service Representative $45,839
Retail Sales Associate $48,473
Assistant Manager $53,082
Sales Consultant $50,765
Branch Manager $81,820
Sales Professional $52,035
Customer Service Role $50,323
Checkout Operator $46,183
Checkout Supervisor $48,082

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Sales Representative $70,082
Business Development Manager $97,371
Account Manager $83,574
Territory Manager $79,581
Sales Manager $107,776
Key Account Manager $99,234
Sales Executive $76,158
Sales Support Role $60,598
Sales Specialist $87,149
Business Development Role $86,895
Account Executive $79,427
Business Development Executive $122,936
Sales Engineer $92,738
Area Sales Manager $82,736

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Laboratory Technician $57,643
Scientist $93,709
Adviser $106,868
Ecologist $97,268
Data Scientist $103,542

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Lifeguard $48,564
Personal Trainer $86,318
Swimming Instructor $46,301
Trainer $59,933
Coach $62,136
Club Manager $53,754

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

Role type
Average salary
Electrician $76,655
Service Technician $69,730
Cleaner $46,859
Technician $61,939
Labourer $49,154
Carpenter $67,876
Automotive Technician $67,630
Gardener $50,858
Beauty Therapist $55,960
Baker $55,570
Security Officer $48,531
Field Service Technician $75,664
Fabricator $65,077
Diesel Mechanic $77,486
Painter $59,523
Groundsperson $52,909
Industrial Electrician $84,647
Security Technician $73,745

Source: SEEK average salary job data, Dec 2022 - May 2023

These average annual salary figures can be used as a ballpark guide for what these roles are currently paying in New Zealand. But it’s important to remember that each role will have a salary range that’s determined by the range of factors listed above.

If you’re still in need of some guidance on what salary you should be pitching yourself at, check out Pitch perfect: Get your salary sorted with our guide.

Source: The SEEK NZ Advertised Salary Index (ASI) measures the growth in advertised salaries for jobs posted on SEEK in New Zealand. Data up to the quarter ending May 2023 (March, April, and May 2023).

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