Salary Survey Guide New Zealand 2025

Get the most comprehensive overview of NZ salaries and hiring trends in your industry

New Zealand hiring and jobs insights

The job market in New Zealand will evolve rapidly in 2025, driven by AI, increasing workforce mobility, and shifting employee expectations. AI is transforming industries and fueling demand for specialised skills, while workforce mobility is reshaping talent pools as professionals seek new opportunities influenced by lifestyle and cost-of-living factors. At the same time, employees are prioritising flexibility, career growth, and well-being, pushing businesses to adjust their strategies to attract and retain top talent. In this dynamic landscape, companies will need to act quickly to stay competitive and meet the changing needs of the workforce.

About the 2025 Salary Guide

Offering a comprehensive look into the evolving job markets of New Zealand and Australia, our guide provides the insights you need to stay ahead in a rapidly changing workforce landscape. Incorporating data from our annual Salary Survey of over 7,750 white-collar professionals spanning more than 12 industries, alongside an in-depth analysis of over 100,000 advertised roles across the region, this year’s guide provides a forward-looking perspective on the trends shaping 2025. It also features detailed salary ranges and actionable insights tailored to meet your needs.

What are the benefits?

For hiring managers:

Compensation insights: Salary benchmarks across 12+ industries to ensure you’re offering competitive pay.
Emerging trends: Workforce priorities like hybrid working, career progression, remuneration and relocation.
Practical guidance: Strategies to attract, retain, and motivate top talent in 2025.

For employees:

What you should be paid: Explore salary benchmarks across industries and roles in New Zealand, and see how your earnings compare.
What employers are planning: Did you know 62% of New Zealand businesses plan to offer salary increases in 2025, yet only 57% of employees expect one? Stay informed and understand your worth.
Key insights for your industry: Discover which roles are most in demand, the level of competition for jobs, and the trends shaping your sector.

Enter your details below to access the 2025 Salary Guide and Salary Benchmarking Tool.

2025 Salary Benchmarking Tool

The Robert Walters Salary Benchmarking Tool offers quick access to the latest salary data and hiring trends across 31+ countries. Using insights from over 100,000 roles advertised in Australia and New Zealand, it provides salary ranges and averages for hundreds of positions across key industries.

This digital tool is designed to give hiring managers and job seekers a clear, up-to-date view of the job market. Whether you're benchmarking salaries or exploring your earning potential, the Salary Benchmarking Tool delivers the data you need, all in one place.

Key features of the tool:

Customised insights by sector, role, and location.
Clear salary comparisons to support career planning or hiring strategies.
Access to global, national, and local data to inform decisions.

Compare my salary

Benchmark my teams' salary

Key Salary & Compensation insights in New Zealand

SS Blocks

%

of businesses are giving pay rises in 2025

%

of professionals are looking for a new job in 2025

%

of businesses are looking to hire in 2025

%

of employees believe they could be earning more

%

of professionals are expecting a pay rise in 2025

Enhance your compensation strategy with Market Intelligence services

Drive successful talent acquisition and retention with our data-driven insights. Achieve workforce diversity, team growth, and strategic relocations with confidence. Our expert team delivers precise salary and benefits benchmarking, talent and market mapping, and competitor analysis to elevate your hiring strategy.

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Market Intelligence service

Make data-driven business decisions through our market intelligence service, the ultimate solution to master your talent acquisition and retention strategy.

Whether you are looking to diversify your workforce, grow your team, find in-demand skills, or relocate a business function, we can make your hiring strategy thrive through a data-led approach.

Our market intelligence team use a wide variety of data sources combined with a methodical approach to deliver salary and benefits benchmarking, talent and market mapping and competitor intelligence.

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

What is salary benchmarking

Salary benchmarking is the process of comparing salaries across the market for a specific role. It provides detailed ranges and averages, helping both employees and employers make informed decisions about pay. For businesses, benchmarking ensures competitiveness in hiring and retaining talent. For individuals, it offers clarity on fair compensation and market trends, empowering better career decisions.
When should I use the Salary Guide and when should I use the tool?

Use the 2025 Salary Guide for a comprehensive understanding of market trends, salary ranges, and workforce priorities across industries. It’s ideal for strategic planning, such as preparing for salary negotiations or understanding broader hiring trends.

The Salary Benchmarking Tool is best suited for quick, specific insights into salary ranges and averages by role, sector, or location. Use it when you need actionable data to compare your salary, personal career planning inform hiring decisions or performance reviews.
Why should I use the 2025 Salary Guide?
The 2025 Salary Guide offers a comprehensive overview of salary benchmarks and hiring trends across New Zealand and Australia. It is an essential resource for both employees and employers:
- For employees: Gain clarity on what you should be earning based on your role, experience, and location. Use data-driven insights to prepare for salary negotiations during performance reviews or job interviews.
- For employers: Access detailed salary benchmarks to ensure your pay structures remain competitive. Identify workforce priorities like hybrid working, career progression, and well-being support to attract and retain top talent.
Why should I use the Salary Benchmarking Tool?

The Salary Benchmarking tool provides quick access to accurate, up-to-date insights into salary ranges and hiring trends across industries and locations. Here’s why it’s beneficial:

- Access precise benchmarks tailored to roles, sectors, and locations.

- Make informed decisions whether you’re negotiating pay, planning your career, or developing hiring strategies.

The Robert Walters Salary Benchmarking Tool goes a step further by offering insights from over 100,000 advertised roles, customised by role, sector, and location.
How should employers evaluate employee pay & compensation during performance reviews?

During performance reviews, employers should combine performance evaluations with market insights. Use the salary benchmarking tool to:

- Compare employee pay to market averages and industry standards.

- Address potential pay gaps to retain top talent.

- Align compensation packages with workforce priorities such as flexibility and career progression. This approach ensures fair, competitive pay structures that motivate and retain employees.
When is the best time to negotiate my pay?

The best time to negotiate your pay is during the annual or half-year performance review periods. For example, if your company’s annual pay review takes place in January, consider starting discussions in November to align with decision-making timelines. Timing your negotiations strategically can help you achieve the desired outcome.
What makes the Robert Walters 2025 Salary Guide different?

The 2025 Salary Guide draws on feedback from over 7,750 professionals through our annual Salary Survey, combined with data from more than 100,000 advertised roles across New Zealand and Australia. Beyond providing salary benchmarks, it highlights key hiring trends and workforce priorities, such as hybrid working, remuneration strategies, and in-demand roles. These insights offer valuable guidance to help you navigate the rapidly evolving job market with confidence.