Average and Median Pay in New Zealand 2026

Updated September 2026 using the Stats NZ June 2026 labour market summary and June 2026 income data.

At a glance

There is no single official “average salary” figure that suits every comparison. The median hourly figure describes the midpoint among wage and salary earners. The QES averages cover full-time-equivalent employee jobs and can be lifted by higher earners. The annual figures above are simple equivalents, not separate Stats NZ annual-salary measures.

Mean vs median

The mean adds all earnings and divides by the number of observations, so high earners can pull it upward. The median is the midpoint: half are below it and half above it. For comparing a typical worker’s pay, the median is often more useful.

Median hourly pay

Stats NZ’s June 2026 income data reports median hourly earnings from wages and salaries of $35.96. Multiplying that by 40 hours and 52 weeks gives $74,796.80, but this is only a full-time equivalent. It does not mean every worker receives 40 paid hours every week.

Average hourly and weekly earnings

The June 2026 Quarterly Employment Survey reports:

• $44.62 average ordinary-time hourly earnings
• $1,730 average weekly earnings for full-time-equivalent employees, including ordinary time and overtime

Annualising $1,730 over 52 weeks gives $89,960. Treat that as a comparison aid, not an official median salary.

Gender pay gap

The June 2026 gender pay gap was 5.3%, based on median hourly earnings. Median hourly earnings were $36.92 for men and $34.95 for women. The raw measure does not adjust for occupation, industry or hours worked.

Estimated take-home on the median-hourly equivalent

Using the simple $74,796.80 full-time annual equivalent:

These are indicative 2026–27 calculations using an M tax code with no student loan, Working for Families, child support or secondary income. Try your own pay in the TaxPop PAYE Calculator.

FAQs

What is the median pay in New Zealand in 2026?
Median hourly earnings from wages and salaries were $35.96 in the June 2026 quarter.

What is the average pay in New Zealand in 2026?
The QES reported average ordinary-time hourly earnings of $44.62 and average weekly earnings of $1,730. These are averages for full-time-equivalent employee jobs, not the median worker’s salary.

Why should I not treat the annual equivalents as exact salaries?
They simply multiply an hourly or weekly measure. Actual annual income varies with hours, paid leave, overtime, part-year work and employment patterns.

What was the gender pay gap in June 2026?
Stats NZ reported a 5.3% gap in median hourly earnings: $36.92 for men and $34.95 for women.

When are these figures updated?
The HLFS income release is annual for the June quarter. The QES updates average earnings quarterly.