Last Updated on April 5, 2022
Wondering which career path to follow? Do you wish to know where the biggest job incentives are in New Zealand right now? Then, you have come to the right place.
Knowing the current high paying jobs in New Zealand can help motivate you to work hard, sacrifice, and exercise, as well as guide your career path.
While most high paying jobs might seem out of reach, it pays to learn everything you need to know about them. By knowing about these jobs, you will be able to prepare yourself to meet the minimum requirements needed to land any one of them. That said, here are the top 10 highest paying jobs in New Zealand in 2022.
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Highest Paying Jobs in New Zealand
1. Construction
The construction industry tops the list of the highest paying industries in New Zealand. This isn’t surprising when you consider the significant population growth New Zealand has experienced over the years. This growth has put pressure on the country’s infrastructure and increased demand for more homes, apartments, etc.
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries:
- Construction Manager: Average salary NZ$95,049
- Quantity Surveyor: Average salary NZ$46K-85K for new-hire and NZ$95K-155K for an experienced surveyor
- Plumber: Average salary NZ$55,000 for a new plumber and NZ$80K-100K for experienced plumbers
2. Consulting and Strategy
Next on the list of highest paying industries is the Consulting and Strategy industry. Those who work in this industry focus on helping private sector clients to grow their businesses by advising on smart investments and decisions for the future.
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries:
- Management Consultant: Average salary NZ$130,213
- Legal Consultant: Average salary NZ$115,056
- Information Technology Consultant: Average salary NZ$87,193
3. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Information and Communication Technology jobs also rank among the highest paying professions in New Zealand. Those who work in this industry work hard to improve communication across all kinds of devices, including radio, television, computer and network hardware, cell phones, applications, and video conferencing.
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries:
- Delivery Services Manager: Average salary NZ$178,590
- Chief Information Security Officer: Average salary NZ$164,000
- Data Science Manager: Average salary NZ$152,300
4. Mining, Resources, and Energy
New Zealand has a wide array of natural resources that are mined for energy, including coal and oil. There are also many jobs available throughout the country mining silver, gold, iron, and other materials.
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries:
- Management: Average salary NZ$118,333
- Mining Engineering and Maintenance: Average salary NZ$106,500
- Oil and Gas Engineering and Maintenance: Average salary NZ$101,346
5. Engineering
Engineering is another highly profitable industry in New Zealand. Engineers are needed to assist with all kinds of projects, from manufacturing and construction to agriculture and aviation.
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries:
- Engineering Project Director: Average salary NZ$169,000
- Engineering Production Manager: Average salary NZ$156,000
- Field Engineering Manager: Average salary NZ$141,000
6. Civil Engineer
Civil engineers are responsible for designing, planning, organizing, and overseeing the building of various structures, from roads to water supply systems.
In New Zealand, there’s currently a major shortage of civil engineers. These individuals are needed to assist with roading projects, housing projects, and government-funded infrastructure.
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To become a civil engineer, you’ll need to earn a Bachelor of Engineering degree, which takes 4 years (on average) to complete. Another option is to earn a Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree, which takes 3 years to complete on average.
Civil engineering provides a generous starting salary (around NZ$60K-$70K on average) with lots of room for growth as you progress in your career. You get to enjoy a standard work schedule (Monday through Friday in most cases), spend a lot of time outdoors, and exercise your problem-solving skills on a daily basis.
Because there’s currently a shortage of civil engineering experts in New Zealand, the prospects for this job are very good.
There’s also lots of career change potential if you decide you want to pivot later and take on a new job with a higher salary. Civil engineers can work in both the private and public sectors. They can also work as consultants or project managers.
7. Software Developer
Software developers are responsible for developing and maintaining computer software, as well as websites and software applications.
There are tons of IT-related jobs available throughout New Zealand, particularly for those who have skills related to software engineering, database administration, systems administration, and network administration. There’s currently a shortage of people who are qualified to fill these roles, which means there are also plenty of opportunities for skilled new graduates to start earning a decent living right out of college.
The average starting salary for a software developer is somewhere around NZ$77K. If you have a degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field, this may be a lucrative job to pursue.
You don’t necessarily need college experience to be a good developer, though. If you’ve taken courses in subjects like computing, web development, and software engineering, you may qualify for many entry-level jobs (although your starting salary may be lower than that of someone with a degree).
There are lots of opportunities to specialize as a software developer, and the career change potential is very high because the IT field is so broad. Whether you go on to work as a business analyst, an IT manager, or a UI/UX designer, there are plenty of ways to pivot and make this job work for you.
8. Quantity Surveyor
Quantity surveyors are responsible for managing the finances for construction projects. They calculate budgets, prepare detailed estimates, and ensure that the budgets are sufficient for each stage of the construction project.
As we mentioned above, the construction industry is booming in New Zealand. This means there’s a high need for quantity surveyors who can keep construction companies on track and on budget.
There are lots of construction projects in the works right now and even more on the horizon, including some big-scale developments. There’s lots of work to go around currently and in the future, so the prospects for a job as a quantity surveyor are looking very good.
Quantity surveyors are highly paid construction employees, with an average starting salary of NZ$46K-85K for new-hire and an average salary of NZ$95K-155K for an experienced surveyor.
There’s not one specific degree path that you need to follow to become a quantity surveyor, either. Many people start with a Bachelor of Construction Economics or Quantity Surveying, though.
Similar to civil engineering, a job as a quantity surveyor allows you to spend a lot of time outdoors, solve complex problems, and work a standard Monday through Friday job, all while earning a good salary.
The career change potential for this job is good, too. Quantity surveyors are needed in the private and public sectors, and they can also go on to work in consulting or project management if they desire.
9. Radiation Technologist
Radiation technologists are responsible for taking images of injuries and diseases using X-ray equipment.
There’s always a demand for trained medical professionals in New Zealand, as well as throughout the world. This includes a high demand for radiation technologists, who play a key role in the diagnostic process.
There’s currently a shortage of radiographers in New Zealand’s public hospitals, too, which means there are plenty of job openings for new graduates.
The average starting salary for a radiation technologist is around NZ$89,000. This is a high-paying job for someone fresh out of school, and there’s plenty of room to grow, too.
To become a radiation technologist, you’ll need to earn a Bachelor of Medical Imaging, a Bachelor of Applied Science (with an emphasis on Medical Imaging Technology), or a Bachelor of Health Science (with an emphasis on Medical Imaging). Each of these degrees typically takes about 3 years to complete.
One of the only downsides to this job is that there’s not a lot of career change potential. You can specialize in a specific field, such as mammography or angiography, but the unique skills you develop as a radiographer typically don’t translate well to other jobs.
10. Plumber
If you want to earn a high salary but don’t necessarily want to complete a traditional college degree, a career as a plumber may be a good alternative.
As we mentioned above, plumbers are some of the highest-paid workers in the construction industry, so this is an excellent option if you want to work in the field but don’t necessarily want to take on a management or quantity surveying role.
There’s currently a shortage of plumbers in New Zealand, specifically in the Auckland and Queenstown areas. With so many new construction projects popping up across the country, there’s a strong need for skilled plumbers who can help get these jobs wrapped up.
On average, a plumber’s starting salary is around NZ$55,000. As they gain experience, though, they can earn a lot more, up to NZ$80K-100K on average.
If you want to become a plumber, you’ll need to complete an apprenticeship. You’ll also need to earn a New Zealand Certificate (Level 4) in plumbing and register with the country’s Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.
The prospects for this job are very good, considering the current shortage. However, there are not a lot of career change opportunities.
Beyond project management or starting your own plumbing company, your options are somewhat limited. Most plumbers are content with this, though, especially since their job provides such a generous salary and allows them to solve problems and work in an ever-changing environment.
Like in many other countries around the world, the highest paying jobs in New Zealand are those which require lengthy education and training, as well as dedication and great responsibility. Embarking on one of these careers certainly promises a long journey, but their hefty salaries are worth the effort and the wait.
This is the list of high paying jobs in New Zealand. However, it doesn’t include all jobs. We have selected the top 10 highest paying jobs in New Zealand, but you can search for other places to work and enjoy earning good pay.
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