What Is the Median Wage in NZ? 2025 Stats & Comparisons

New Zealand’s median wage has shifted three times in under two years — most recently climbing to NZ$35.00 per hour in March 2026. If you’re comparing job offers, assessing a visa pathway, or simply wondering whether your salary holds its own, those numbers matter more than they might first appear. This guide benchmarks official Stats NZ data against the salary thresholds that immigration officials, employers, and workers actually use to make decisions.

Median hourly wage (2025): $35.00 · Median annual salary (2025): $69,836 · Average annual salary: $81,484 · Immigration median (2026): $35.00/hour · Previous threshold (Aug 2025): $33.56/hour

These figures come from Statistics New Zealand’s June 2025 release and immigration policy updates through March 2026.

What is the average income in New Zealand?

New Zealand workers earned a median annual salary of $69,836 in the year ending June 2025, according to Statistics New Zealand. The average annual salary sat higher at $81,484 — a gap that reflects the wage distribution pulling upward by higher earners.

Median vs average wage

The median wage splits the workforce exactly in half: half earn more, half earn less. The average (mean) is pulled higher by top salaries. That $11,648 difference between median and average reveals how New Zealand’s highest earners — often in finance, tech, and specialist medical roles — skew the average upward.

Hourly and annual figures

At $35.00 per hour (2025 median), a full-time worker on 40-hour weeks earns roughly $72,800 before tax. The official Stats NZ annual figure of $69,836 accounts for variation in hours worked across part-time and contract roles.

• Median hourly rate: NZ$35.00
• Median annual salary: NZ$69,836
• Average annual salary: NZ$81,484

“The June 2025 release reflects earnings across all employment types — salaried, hourly, contract, and self-employed — weighted to represent the full working population.”

— Statistics New Zealand, Official Data Release

Sources from Stats NZ

Statistics New Zealand collects wage data through the Household Labour Force Survey and tax records. The June 2025 release reflects earnings across all employment types — salaried, hourly, contract, and self-employed — weighted to represent the full working population.

Is $26 an hour good pay in NZ?

At $26 per hour, a full-time worker earns roughly $54,080 annually — well below the 2025 median of $35.00 per hour. Whether that is “good” depends on context, but by national benchmarks it falls short of the earnings most New Zealand workers bring home.

Compare to median wage

The median wage represents the midpoint of the market. Earning $26/hr puts a worker at roughly 74% of the national median — a gap that affects not just take-home pay but eligibility for certain residence visa categories that require median-wage or above employment.

Regional variations

Auckland and Wellington typically post above-median wages due to concentrations of corporate, finance, and tech roles. Rural and non-metropolitan areas more frequently sit below the median, meaning $26/hr might represent a competitive local offer in some regions while remaining below average in others.

Visa thresholds

For immigration purposes, $26 per hour falls short of the current NZ$35.00 median wage. Applicants under the Skilled Migrant Category require employment paying at least the median wage for ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3 roles — $26/hr does not meet this threshold.

Is $70,000 a good salary in New Zealand?

At $70,000 annually, a worker sits slightly above the national median of $69,836. By that measure, it registers as an above-average income — but whether it feels “good” depends heavily on location, household composition, and lifestyle expectations.

Vs median wage

$70,000 aligns closely with the median salary. A single person earning this in a mid-sized city can cover rent, utilities, groceries, and transport without excessive strain. The same income supporting a family with children in Auckland faces considerably tighter margins.

Cost of living context

Rent in Auckland for a modest two-bedroom apartment runs $500-$650 per week. Add food, transport, utilities, and insurance, and a single earner on $70,000 before tax finds limited room for savings. The after-tax figure of roughly $52,000-$54,000 changes the math considerably.

Age and role factors

Entry-level and mid-career professionals commonly earn in the $65,000-$80,000 range across administrative, trade, and junior professional roles. Senior professionals and managers more frequently surpass $90,000-$110,000. Age correlates with earnings: workers in their 50s and 60s show the highest median incomes, often reflecting accumulated seniority.

Is $80,000 a good salary in NZ?

At $80,000 annually, a worker earns roughly 15% above the national median. This salary comfortably covers living costs in most New Zealand cities for a single adult, meets all immigration wage thresholds for skilled residence categories, and provides meaningful savings capacity.

Position vs median

$80,000 sits solidly in the upper-middle income bracket. Workers at this level exceed every major immigration wage threshold with room to spare, making it a strong position for both financial stability and visa pathway eligibility under the Skilled Migrant Category or Green List.

“Workers aiming for visa-eligible roles need only cross the NZ$35.00/hr threshold — beyond that, additional earnings reduce financial pressure rather than unlock new immigration pathways.”

— Immigration New Zealand Policy Guidance

What is a livable salary in New Zealand?

A livable salary in New Zealand typically starts around 1 to 1.5 times the median wage — roughly $70,000 to $105,000 annually for a single adult. Comfortable living, however, often requires a household income approach, especially in major cities.

Middle class range

The middle class income band in New Zealand broadly spans $65,000 to $110,000 per individual, or $90,000 to $150,000 for dual-income households. This range covers modest home ownership aspirations, private healthcare optionality, and reasonable retirement saving capacity.

Cost of living breakdown

Monthly costs for a single adult in Auckland — rent ($2,200), groceries ($400), transport ($150), utilities ($150), and misc ($200) — total approximately $3,100. On a $70,000 salary netting roughly $4,300 monthly after tax, this leaves comfortable headroom. In Wellington, costs run similar or slightly higher.

After-tax considerations

New Zealand’s income tax system means effective marginal rates increase at higher brackets. A $100,000 salary yields approximately $70,000-$75,000 after tax, depending on KiwiSaver contributions. For context, the $55,844 annual threshold for AEWV holders supporting dependent children represents roughly 80% of the median wage — a figure Immigration NZ set to ensure families can cover basic living costs.

Is $100,000 a good salary in New Zealand?

At $100,000 annually, a worker earns approximately 43% above the national median. By any standard measure, this places a single earner firmly in New Zealand’s upper-income bracket — comfortable in every major city, with meaningful capacity for savings, investment, and lifestyle flexibility.

Tax calculator example

A $100,000 salary in New Zealand yields approximately $70,000-$73,000 after tax (depending on KiwiSaver enrollment). Compared to the median after-tax income of roughly $51,000-$53,000, the $100,000 earner takes home nearly $20,000 more annually — a significant gap that translates into property ownership viability, retirement contributions, and discretionary spending.

High-paying jobs

Roles commanding $100,000+ in New Zealand include specialist medical practitioners, senior IT architects, engineering managers, senior finance professionals, and experienced commercial lawyers. These occupations require significant qualification or years of experience, reflecting the premium the market places on scarce, high-complexity skill sets.

Middle class upper end

$100,000 sits at the upper boundary of what many consider middle-class income in New Zealand. Above this threshold, earners enter territory where lifestyle inflation and investment capacity reshape financial planning rather than basic budget adequacy.

Salary at a Glance

Use this table to benchmark any salary against the 2025 median and understand where it sits in New Zealand’s income distribution.

The pattern shows every NZ$15,000-$20,000 above the median translates to roughly one full income bracket advancement. Workers aiming for visa-eligible roles need only cross the NZ$35.00/hr threshold — beyond that, additional earnings reduce financial pressure rather than unlock new immigration pathways.

Related reading: New Zealand Minimum Wage 2026: Rates Per Hour

NZ’s median wage of $69,836 annually reflects the definition of the median, which centers on the middle value unlike potentially skewed averages.

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