Key Facts: New Zealand Wages
- Country
- New Zealand (NZL)
- Continent
- Oceania
- Currency
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Minimum Wage
- NZ$23.95 /hr ($13.58 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- NZ$5,666.67 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- NZ$68,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- NZ$61,828 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- New Zealand MBIE / Employment New Zealand, adult minimum wage effective 2026-04-01, verified 2026-06-17
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-17
New Zealand — Average Salary & Wages
New Zealand Dollar (NZD) Data verified Jun 2026 Sources
The average salary in New Zealand is
NZ$68,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than NZ$61,828 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in New Zealand is NZ$23.95/hr ($13.58 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is NZ$5,666.67 ($3,214.04 USD). The median monthly income is NZ$5,152.33 ($2,922.31 USD).
Earning or getting paid in New Zealand?
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Manage money across currencies with Wise →Median weekly income from wages and salaries of NZD 1,189 (Stats NZ, June 2022; latest cleanly confirmed). Pairs with the full-time-equivalent average above.
Average ordinary time weekly earnings for full-time equivalent employees, annualized. Net estimated at ~80% after PAYE income tax and ACC levy. KiwiSaver employee contributions (3-10%, default 3%) are additional deductions.
• SECTOR RATES
Starting-out / Training
NZ$19.16 /hr
Since 2026-04-01
80% of adult rate. Applies to 16-17 year olds, or 18-19 year olds in first 6 months of employment, or trainees.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2019, the minimum wage has grown +35% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In New Zealand, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $16.40/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in New Zealand earns NZ$4,151.33/mo. That is 73% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- NZ$4,151.33 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 73% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $2,354.56/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +35% since 2019
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- NZ$23.95
- Monthly
- NZ$4,151.33Based on 173.33 hours/month (40 hrs/week)
- Annual
- NZ$49,816Based on 2,080 hours/year (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks)
Adult minimum wage for employees 16 years and over. Starting-out rate (for workers under 20 in first 6 months of employment) and training rate are set at 80% of adult rate: NZD 19.16/hr. Reviewed annually, effective 1 April each year.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
No statutory maximum working hours, but employers must ensure reasonable working hours. Most employment agreements specify 40 hours/week. Overtime rates not mandated by statute but commonly 1.5x by agreement. Time-and-a-half and a day in lieu required for work on public holidays.
How New Zealand Compares
| Metric | New Zealand | Oceania Avg. | Oceania Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $13.58/hr | $4.78/hr | $18.22/hr (Australia) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $3,214.04/mo | $1,346.08/mo | $5,397.97/mo (Australia) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Monaco | $13.52 |
| France | $13.68 |
| Saint Pierre and Miquelon | $13.68 |
| Saint Barthélemy | $13.68 |
| Saint Martin | $13.68 |
| New Zealand | $13.58 |
Related Wage Comparisons
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Marshall Islands Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for New Zealand on our sister site.
Cost of living in New Zealand on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in New Zealand?
The minimum wage in New Zealand is NZ$23.95/hr (approximately $13.58 USD), effective since 2026-04-01. Adult minimum wage for employees 16 years and over. Starting-out rate (for workers under 20 in first 6 months of employment) and training rate are set at 80% of adult rate: NZD 19.16/hr. Reviewed annually, effective 1 April each year.
What is the average salary in New Zealand?
The average gross monthly salary in New Zealand is NZ$5,666.67 (approximately $3,214.04 USD). Average ordinary time weekly earnings for full-time equivalent employees, annualized. Net estimated at ~80% after PAYE income tax and ACC levy. KiwiSaver employee contributions (3-10%, default 3%) are additional deductions. Source: Stats NZ – Quarterly Employment Survey (2025).
How many hours is the standard work week in New Zealand?
The standard work week in New Zealand is 40 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. No statutory maximum working hours, but employers must ensure reasonable working hours. Most employment agreements specify 40 hours/week. Overtime rates not mandated by statute but commonly 1.5x by agreement. Time-and-a-half and a day in lieu required for work on public holidays.
How has the minimum wage in New Zealand changed over time?
The minimum wage in New Zealand has changed as follows: NZ$17.70 in 2019, NZ$18.90 in 2020, NZ$20 in 2021, NZ$21.20 in 2022, NZ$22.70 in 2023, NZ$23.15 in 2024, NZ$23.50 in 2025, NZ$23.95 in 2026. This represents 8 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in New Zealand in USD?
The minimum wage in New Zealand converts to approximately $13.58/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in New Zealand in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in New Zealand is approximately $3,214.04 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does New Zealand's minimum wage compare to the Oceania average?
New Zealand's minimum wage ranks #2 out of 15 countries with statutory minimum wages in Oceania, placing it among the highest in Oceania.
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