Median NZ Salary Hits $69,836 – But Gender Pay Gap Persists At 16% And Peak Earnings Now Arrive At Age 45-49

The median New Zealand salary has reached $69,836 – a 52.6% increase from $45,760 in 2015 – delivering real wage gains of approximately 15-20% after inflation, according to new analysis of Stats NZ data by personal finance research website MoneyHub. However, the data reveals persistent gaps: women earn 16% less than men, Pacific Peoples earn 11.4% less than Europeans, and Wellington workers out-earn those in Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough by $13,312 annually.

"Age is the single biggest predictor of earnings," said Christopher Walsh, Founder of MoneyHub. "Workers aged 45-49 earn the most at $81,900 median – more than four times what 15-19 year olds earn. But after 50, earnings decline, reflecting reduced hours and career changes as people approach retirement."

Key findings from the analysis include:

• Median annual salary: $69,836 (the 'typical' NZ worker)
• Average annual salary: $81,484 (pulled up by high earners)
• Median hourly rate: $34.25 – around 1.5x minimum wage
• Peak earning age: 45-49 ($81,900 median)
• Gender pay gap: 16.0% nationally – down from 25.5% in 2010
• Widest gender gap by age: 50-54 year olds (20.9%)
• Smallest gender gap: 25-29 year olds (7.7%)
• Highest-paid region: Wellington ($76,544 median)
• Lowest-paid region: Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough/West Coast ($63,232)
• Total workforce: 2.85 million people in paid employment

The Gender Gap Widens With Age

The data shows near-parity in the 20s (7.7% gap for 25-29 year olds) before the gap expands dramatically through the 30s and 40s – coinciding with years when many women reduce hours for caregiving. By ages 50-54, the gap peaks at 20.9%. Progress has been made (down from 25.5% in 2010), but it has stalled in recent years.

Ethnicity Shapes Outcomes

European workers earn a median of $72,800 annually. Pacific Peoples earn $64,480 – an 11.4% gap. Māori and Asian workers both earn $66,560 (8.6% gap). These gaps persist across all age groups and have narrowed only modestly over 10 years.

Regional Divide

Wellington leads on earnings ($76,544), followed by Auckland ($72,800) and Taranaki ($72,800). Rural and provincial regions typically pay 15-20% less than main centres. Auckland accounts for 34% of all workers – the gravitational pull of higher salaries and more opportunities.

The full analysis, including age breakdowns, 10-year trends, regional gender gaps, and ethnicity data, is available in MoneyHub's guide: NZ Average Salary Statistics

Data Source: Stats NZ New Zealand Income Survey (June 2025 release) covering 2.85 million workers. Annual salaries calculated from weekly data × 52 weeks.

© Scoop Media