New Zealand Average and Median Wages and Salaries 2025 (by Age, Gender, Region)
The median NZ salary is $69,836 in 2025. See how your pay compares by age, gender, ethnicity and region – with full data tables from Stats NZ.
Updated 11 January 2026
Summary
Data Limitations – What This Data Can and Can't Tell You
Before diving into the numbers, there are important caveats to understand:
What this data is useful for: Understanding broad patterns, benchmarking roughly where you sit by age, and tracking trends over time. The data isn't a precise tool for determining whether you're underpaid in your specific role.
- Stats NZ publishes earnings data annually through the New Zealand Income Survey - this guide uses the June 2025 release – the most recent available – covering 2.85 million workers across all regions, ages, and demographics.
Data Limitations – What This Data Can and Can't Tell You
Before diving into the numbers, there are important caveats to understand:
- Part-time and full-time workers are mixed together: Stats NZ does not separate earnings by hours worked. This means the medians and averages reflect a blend of full-time, part-time, and casual workers. If you work full-time, these figures will look lower than your reality. There's no way to filter for "full-time only" from this dataset.
- The gender pay gap is unadjusted: The 16% gap compares raw median earnings – it does not control for hours worked, occupation, industry, qualifications, or career breaks. Women are more likely to work part-time or take time out for caregiving, which affects total earnings. This data shows the outcome gap, not necessarily a "same job, same pay" gap. Stats NZ explicitly notes this with their disclaimer -"This measure does not consider factors that could influence differences in earnings, such as occupation, qualifications gained, age, and hours worked."
- No industry or occupation breakdown: The data doesn't tell you what professions earn – only what age groups, genders, ethnicities, and regions earn overall. Two people with the same median salary could be in completely different jobs.
- It's descriptive, not explanatory: This is univariate data – it shows what people earn, not why. The ethnicity and gender gaps may reflect industry concentration, qualification differences, location, hours worked, or discrimination – the data alone can't separate these factors.
- Smaller groups have larger sampling errors: National and regional figures are robust, but breakdowns for smaller demographics (e.g., MELAA workers in Southland) are estimates with wider margins of error.
What this data is useful for: Understanding broad patterns, benchmarking roughly where you sit by age, and tracking trends over time. The data isn't a precise tool for determining whether you're underpaid in your specific role.
Key Findings
Important Observations:
Know This: Wages have outpaced inflation over 10 years
To help you understand what's important, our guide covers:
- The median annual salary is $69,836 – this is what the 'typical' NZ worker earns
- The average annual salary is $81,484
- The median hourly rate is $34.25, around 1.5× the minimum wage
- The highest-paid region is Wellington ($76,544 median) while the lowest-paid regions are Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough/West Coast ($63,232 median)
Important Observations:
- Age is the single biggest predictor of earnings: Workers aged 45-49 earn the most ($81,900/year median). The gap between the youngest (15-19, $19,656/year) and peak earners is 4.2×.
- The gender pay gap is narrowing but still persists: At 16.0% nationally, it's down from 25.5% in 2010 – significant progress. But the gap widens with age: it's 7.7% for 25-29 year olds but 20.9% for 50-54 year olds. Women's earnings appear to stall in their 30s-40s (the 'motherhood penalty'), while men's continue climbing.
- Ethnicity shapes outcomes: European workers earn a median of $72,800/year. Pacific Peoples earn $64,480/year – an 11.4% gap. Māori and Asian workers both earn $66,560/year (8.6% gap). These gaps persist across all age groups and have narrowed only modestly over 10 years.
- The 65+ workforce is substantial and growing: 209,600 people aged 65+ are in paid employment – 7.4% of the workforce. They earn a median of $54,860/year (lower than the peak, reflecting part-time work and reduced hours), and this cohort has grown significantly as New Zealanders work longer.
Know This: Wages have outpaced inflation over 10 years
- The data confirms that Median earnings grew 52.6% from $45,760 (2015) to $69,836 (2025).
- Cumulative CPI inflation over the same period was approximately 30-35%, suggesting real wage gains of ~15-20%.
To help you understand what's important, our guide covers:
New Zealand's Salary Statistics – Understanding the Big Numbers
Know This:
Our View:
- The median ($69,836) is what the 'typical' worker earns – half of working New Zealanders earn more, half earn less.
- The average ($81,484) is pulled up by high earners. For most people, the median is the better benchmark to show what's the 'mid point'.
Our View:
- The gap between average and median tells an important story. At 17%, it suggests a relatively healthy distribution compared to many OECD countries, but it's widening.
- The top earners are pulling away, and for workers asking 'am I paid fairly?', the median is almost always more useful than the average.
| Metric | Median | Average | Gap | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Salary | $69,836 | $81,484 | +17% | Average skewed by top earners |
| Hourly Rate | $34.25 | $42.37 | +24% | Median is 1.5× minimum wage |
| Male Annual Salary | $75,816 | $90,064 | +19% | Higher skew at top |
| Female Annual Salary | $63,700 | $71,812 | +13% | Less skewed distribution |
| Total Workforce | 2,850,800 | - | - | People in paid employment |
Salaries by Age – How Much Should You Earn at Your Age?
Know This:
- The table below answers the question every worker asks: 'Am I on track?'
- However, the answer depends heavily on your age – salaries follow a clear lifecycle pattern, peaking in the late 40s before declining.
- Peak earnings hit at ages 45-49, but after 50, salaries gradually decline – likely reflecting reduced hours, career changes, and the shift to part-time work.
- The 65+ group earnings mask a large difference between full-time and part-time workers, so they are not truly reliable.
| Age Group | Median Salary | Average Salary | Gap | Median Hourly | Workers (000s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-19 | $19,656 | $28,392 | +44% | $24.00 | 122.9 |
| 20-24 | $55,120 | $52,988 | -4% | $27.80 | 237.5 |
| 25-29 | $66,820 | $70,772 | +6% | $32.00 | 280.7 |
| 30-34 | $75,816 | $81,952 | +8% | $36.00 | 334.6 |
| 35-39 | $79,196 | $89,336 | +13% | $38.36 | 339.7 |
| 40-44 | $79,768 | $92,300 | +16% | $38.36 | 305.2 |
| 45-49 (Peak) | $81,900 | $98,176 | +20% | $39.04 | 272.4 |
| 50-54 | $79,768 | $96,044 | +20% | $38.36 | 273.3 |
| 55-59 | $76,804 | $95,056 | +24% | $36.66 | 255.2 |
| 60-64 | $69,784 | $83,980 | +20% | $35.58 | 219.7 |
| 65+ | $54,860 | $67,392 | +23% | $34.13 | 209.6 |
Understanding the Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is one of New Zealand's most-discussed labour market issues. The data below is clear - men earn more than women at every age group, in every region, and across all ethnicities. The gap has narrowed significantly since 2010, but progress has stalled in recent years.
The Gender Pay Gap Over Time:
The Gender Pay Gap Over Time:
| Year | Male Median | Female Median | Gap ($) | Gap (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | $45,344 | $33,800 | $11,544 | 25.5% |
| 2015 | $52,000 | $38,896 | $13,104 | 25.2% |
| 2020 | $59,852 | $47,892 | $11,960 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | $74,464 | $60,528 | $13,936 | 18.7% |
| 2025 | $75,816 | $63,700 | $12,116 | 16.0% |
Gender Pay Gap by Age – Where It Widens
- The gap isn't uniform across life stages. It's smallest in the 20s and grows dramatically from the 30s onwards – coinciding with the years when many women reduce hours for caregiving.
| Age Group | Male Median | Female Median | Gap ($) | Gap (%) | Life Stage Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-19 | $23,920 | $17,992 | $5,928 | 24.8% | Part-time work differences |
| 20-24 | $58,240 | $52,000 | $6,240 | 10.7% | Near parity - early career |
| 25-29 (Smallest) | $69,836 | $64,480 | $5,356 | 7.7% | Smallest gap - pre-family |
| 30-34 | $80,288 | $69,836 | $10,452 | 13.0% | Gap emerges - family formation |
| 35-39 | $84,760 | $69,836 | $14,924 | 17.6% | Caregiving impact visible |
| 40-44 | $85,800 | $70,720 | $15,080 | 17.6% | Gap persists |
| 45-49 | $92,092 | $74,100 | $17,992 | 19.5% | Peak male earnings |
| 50-54 (Widest) | $90,740 | $71,812 | $18,928 | 20.9% | Widest gap |
| 55-59 | $84,240 | $69,836 | $14,404 | 17.1% | Gap persists into late career |
| 60-64 | $77,792 | $61,360 | $16,432 | 21.1% | Retirement transition |
| 65+ | $59,852 | $48,880 | $10,972 | 18.3% | Part-time work for both |
Salaries by Ethnicity
Ethnicity correlates with earnings outcomes in New Zealand. European workers consistently earn more than Māori, Pacific Peoples, and Asian workers. These gaps persist across all age groups and have narrowed only modestly over 10 years.
| Ethnic Group | Median Salary | Average Salary | Gap | vs European | Workforce |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European | $72,800 | $85,020 | +17% | - | 1,911,600 (67.1%) |
| Other Ethnicity | $71,916 | $88,244 | +23% | -1.2% | 35,400 (1.2%) |
| MELAA | $69,108 | $82,888 | +20% | -5.1% | 52,000 (1.8%) |
| Asian | $66,560 | $74,360 | +12% | -8.6% | 584,700 (20.5%) |
| Māori | $66,560 | $75,400 | +13% | -8.6% | 398,000 (14.0%) |
| Pacific Peoples | $64,480 | $72,280 | +12% | -11.4% | 170,200 (6.0%) |
Ethnic Pay Gap by Gender
| Ethnic Group | Male Median | Female Median | Gender Gap | vs European Male |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European | $79,768 | $64,844 | 18.7% | - |
| Māori | $70,304 | $60,580 | 13.8% | -11.9% |
| Pacific Peoples | $67,184 | $60,840 | 9.4% | -15.8% |
| Asian | $69,836 | $62,816 | 10.1% | -12.5% |
| MELAA | $72,384 | $64,844 | 10.4% | -9.3% |
| Other Ethnicity | $77,584 | $66,560 | 14.2% | -2.7% |
10-Year Salary Growth by Ethnicity
| Ethnic Group | 2015 Median | 2025 Median | Growth ($) | Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European | $47,892 | $72,800 | +$24,908 | +52.0% |
| Māori | $41,600 | $66,560 | +$24,960 | +60.0% |
| Pacific Peoples | $39,884 | $64,480 | +$24,596 | +61.7% |
| Asian | $41,600 | $66,560 | +$24,960 | +60.0% |
Salaries by Region – Where New Zealand Pays the Most
Where you work matters - Wellington leads on median earnings, followed by Auckland and Taranaki. Rural and provincial regions pay 15-20% less than the main centres. Auckland has 34% of all workers – the gravitational pull of higher salaries and more opportunities.
| Region | Median Salary | Average Salary | Gap | Workers (000s) | Share of NZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington | $76,544 | $89,388 | +17% | 319.7 | 11.2% |
| Auckland | $72,800 | $87,048 | +20% | 977.5 | 34.3% |
| Taranaki | $72,800 | $82,160 | +13% | 64.5 | 2.3% |
| Gisborne/Hawke's Bay | $69,888 | $82,316 | +18% | 117.5 | 4.1% |
| Canterbury | $69,836 | $78,572 | +13% | 383.6 | 13.5% |
| Otago | $69,004 | $76,544 | +11% | 153.4 | 5.4% |
| Bay of Plenty | $66,924 | $74,204 | +11% | 184.0 | 6.5% |
| Waikato | $66,560 | $75,036 | +13% | 260.3 | 9.1% |
| Manawatu-Wanganui | $65,520 | $72,592 | +11% | 135.9 | 4.8% |
| Northland | $65,156 | $74,308 | +14% | 88.7 | 3.1% |
| Southland | $64,272 | $71,708 | +12% | 57.5 | 2.0% |
| Nelson/Tasman/Marl./WC | $63,232 | $73,216 | +16% | 108.1 | 3.8% |
Regional Gender Pay Gap
The gender gap varies significantly by region - Wellington has the smallest gap (10.3%); while Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough/West Coast has the largest (24.1%).
| Region | Male Median | Female Median | Gap ($) | Gap (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington (smallest gap) | $80,080 | $71,812 | $8,268 | 10.3% |
| Otago | $73,216 | $63,232 | $9,984 | 13.6% |
| Auckland | $77,792 | $66,820 | $10,972 | 14.1% |
| Manawatu-Wanganui | $71,552 | $58,240 | $13,312 | 18.6% |
| Waikato | $73,164 | $59,280 | $13,884 | 19.0% |
| Canterbury | $76,960 | $61,776 | $15,184 | 19.7% |
| Gisborne/Hawke's Bay | $78,000 | $62,504 | $15,496 | 19.9% |
| Bay of Plenty | $74,776 | $59,852 | $14,924 | 20.0% |
| Taranaki | $79,040 | $62,400 | $16,640 | 21.1% |
| Southland | $73,632 | $57,980 | $15,652 | 21.3% |
| Northland | $72,800 | $57,200 | $15,600 | 21.4% |
| Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough/West Coast (largest gap) | $70,200 | $53,248 | $16,952 | 24.1% |
Historical Trends – 10 Years of Salary Growth
New Zealand salaries have grown strongly over the past decade, but the pace has slowed. The 2020-2022 period saw unusually fast growth driven by COVID catch-up and labour shortages – that's now normalised.
Know This: The median salary grew 52.6% over 10 years – from $45,760 in 2015 to $69,836 in 2025. But growth has slowed sharply: +8.0% in 2022, +7.5% in 2023, +5.0% in 2024, and just +2.6% in 2025. We're back to pre-COVID norms.
Our View: The 2022-2023 wage spike was driven by acute labour shortages, closed borders, and employers bidding up wages to fill roles. However, the current growth of 2.6% in 2025 is closer to the long-term average.
Median Annual Salary Over Time
Know This: The median salary grew 52.6% over 10 years – from $45,760 in 2015 to $69,836 in 2025. But growth has slowed sharply: +8.0% in 2022, +7.5% in 2023, +5.0% in 2024, and just +2.6% in 2025. We're back to pre-COVID norms.
Our View: The 2022-2023 wage spike was driven by acute labour shortages, closed borders, and employers bidding up wages to fill roles. However, the current growth of 2.6% in 2025 is closer to the long-term average.
Median Annual Salary Over Time
| Year | Median Salary | Average Salary | Gap | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | $26,936 | $30,368 | +13% | - |
| 2000 | $27,924 | $31,668 | +13% | +3.7% |
| 2005 | $33,280 | $38,896 | +17% | +19.2% (5yr) |
| 2010 | $39,884 | $46,176 | +16% | +19.8% (5yr) |
| 2015 | $45,760 | $53,612 | +17% | +14.7% (5yr) |
| 2020 | $54,080 | $62,244 | +15% | +18.2% (5yr) |
| 2021 | $55,848 | $66,716 | +19% | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $60,320 | $70,876 | +18% | +8.0% |
| 2023 | $64,844 | $74,724 | +15% | +7.5% |
| 2024 | $68,068 | $79,196 | +16% | +5.0% |
| 2025 | $69,836 | $81,484 | +17% | +2.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the median differ from the average, and what does it mean?
The median is the middle value – half earn more, half earn less. The average (mean) adds everyone up and divides by the total. A few very high earners pull the average up without affecting the median. For most purposes, the median represents the 'typical' worker.
How do I know if I'm paid fairly for my age?
You can compare your annual salary to the median for your age group, as outlined in the tables above. If you're above median, you're earning more than half of workers your age. But you'll need to consider a few things, including the industry you work in (some pay more), your location (Wellington/Auckland pay more), hours worked, and qualifications. The age tables give you a starting point, not a definitive answer.
How accurate is this data?
This data comes from Stats NZ's New Zealand Income Survey, a supplement to the Household Labour Force Survey. It surveys approximately 15,000 households quarterly and is considered robust for national and regional figures.
However, smaller demographic breakdowns have larger sampling errors, so you'll need to treat precise figures as estimates.
However, smaller demographic breakdowns have larger sampling errors, so you'll need to treat precise figures as estimates.
Does the data include all workers?
This covers people in paid employment – employees and self-employed. It excludes people not in paid work (students, retirees, caregivers, unemployed), people working under the table, and overseas workers.
Data Source & Methodology
- All data is sourced from Stats NZ: Earnings for people in paid employment by region, sex, age groups and ethnic groups – Year ended June 2025.
- Figures are estimates with sampling error. Annual salaries calculated from weekly data × 52 weeks.
- The regional boundaries follow Stats NZ standard classifications.
