Marketing salaries in New Zealand: Top paying roles and career insights

Key takeaways: 

• Marketing careers in New Zealand offer pay that grows with experience and expertise, ranging from entry-level to senior leadership roles. 
• Entry-level jobs like marketing assistant, coordinator, or content creator earn $55k–$85k per year. 
• Senior positions such as head of marketing or communications manager earn $140k–$190k. 
• Major cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch generally offer higher pay due to competition and demand.

Marketing in New Zealand is evolving rapidly, driven by high digital adoption and growing online engagement. Businesses face many opportunities and competition in the digital space. This high online engagement is driving strong demand for skilled digital marketers and content creators who can manage campaigns across multiple platforms and deliver measurable results.

With so many career paths available, it’s not always easy to identify which roles offer the greatest impact, growth potential, and pay. This guide explores marketer salary ranges across the country's highest-paying roles, highlighting typical compensation, key responsibilities, and factors that influence pay differences.

Here’s what this guide will cover: 

Marketing jobs and average salaries in New Zealand

Marketing salary overview

Highest paying marketing roles in New Zealand

Explore more about marketing salaries in New Zealand

Marketing jobs and average salaries in New Zealand 

In the table below, let’s explore some marketing jobs and the average marketing salary across different management positions and specialisations.

Marketing salary overview 

Marketing professionals earn an average salary of $90k per year. The marketing field offers a clear progression path, from entry-level roles like marketing assistant and content creator to senior positions such as marketing manager and head of marketing. Salaries in the marketing field in New Zealand vary depending on role, experience, and responsibilities.

Entry-level positions, such as marketing assistants, coordinators, and content creators, earn $55k–85k per year. Senior roles, including marketing managers, communications managers, and heads of marketing, earn $110k–190k annually.

Highest paying marketing roles in New Zealand 

Marketing salaries in the country vary based on strategic influence, specialised skills, and location. Senior positions that guide strategy, manage teams, or make decisions that affect revenue and brand reputation typically earn more.

Expertise in digital marketing, data analytics, and campaign management also increases earning potential. Location plays a role, with higher salaries offered in major cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch due to greater competition for experienced talent.

Here are some of the highest-paying marketing roles: 

• Head of Marketing
• Communications Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Digital Marketing Manager
• Brand Manager

Let’s take a closer look at these roles, starting with their typical pay and a quick summary of what each role involves. 

Head of marketing salary 

Salaries for heads of marketing range from $170k–$190k per year. A head of marketing leads the company’s marketing strategy to build brand awareness and drive lead generation. They oversee market research, branding, advertising, public relations, and promotional activity across channels.

They collaborate with sales, product, and leadership teams to ensure initiatives align with business goals, budgets are managed, and teams perform effectively. This position requires a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, or a related field, along with extensive experience in senior marketing roles and strategic leadership. 

Communications managers’ salary 

Communications managers in New Zealand can expect salaries between $140k–$160k per year. They lead the organisation’s internal and external communications. The role includes creating and overseeing content across print, digital, and social channels.

Communications managers also manage media relationships, coordinate campaigns with marketing and PR teams, and play a key role in crisis management. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or journalism, along with several years of experience in senior communications or media-facing roles. 

Marketing managers’ salary 

Marketing managers earn $110k–$130k each year. They conduct market research, develop targeted campaigns across digital and media channels, and manage delivery within time and budget constraints. Marketing managers analyse campaign performance and use consumer data to identify opportunities.

They develop strategies to support business growth, sales, and profitability. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, or a related field. Strong communication skills, creativity, financial capability, and hands-on marketing experience help one excel in the role. 

Digital marketing managers’ salary 

Digital marketing managers earn $110k–$125k per year. They lead an organisation’s online marketing activity across web, search, email, and social channels. Digital marketing managers define target audiences, shape digital strategy, and promote products or services through SEO, content, social media, and email marketing.

They also track performance and use data to improve return on investment. A relevant bachelor’s degree combined with hands-on experience in digital channels such as SEO, social media, and email marketing equips professionals to perform and progress in their careers. 

Brand managers’ salary 

Brand manager salaries range from $100k–$120k per year. A brand manager is responsible for shaping how a brand is positioned and perceived by customers. They manage branding, communications, and marketing activity to support sales growth. Market research and consumer insights guide campaign and product decisions.

The role also involves analysing trends, overseeing advertising and media activity, and working with other teams to ensure consistent brand messaging. A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field is preferred. Several years of experience in consumer marketing or brand-focused roles provide a strong foundation for success.

Explore more about marketing salaries in New Zealand 

See the bigger picture behind marketing roles. SEEK’s Explore Careers shows New Zealand salary ranges, recent job growth, requirements, and job satisfaction. 
 

Source: SEEK data, roles based on average advertised salaries of over $150,000 for job ads listed on SEEK from July 23 to June 24 to July 24 to June 25. A minimum threshold of job ads on SEEK is required for a role to appear in this table.