The median employed worker in New Zealand earns NZ$71,760/year (NZ$1,380/week, Stats NZ June 2025 quarter). Including all adults — part-time workers, retirees on NZ Super, and those out of the workforce — the all-person median drops to approximately NZ$50,000. Understanding where your income sits in the full distribution puts salary negotiations, career choices, and financial goals in context.
Income Percentile Thresholds
| Percentile | Annual Income (Individual, 2025-26) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | ~NZ$12,000 | Part-time or very low-hour workers; students; retirees on NZ Super only |
| 25th | ~NZ$28,000 | Part-time; entry-level roles; some benefit recipients |
| 50th (median — all persons) | ~NZ$50,000 | All adults including non-workers |
| 50th (median — employed workers) | ~NZ$71,760 | Full-time and part-time employees |
| 70th | ~NZ$88,000 | Professional roles; mid-career |
| 80th | ~NZ$105,000 | Senior professional; specialist |
| 90th | ~NZ$130,000 | Senior manager; specialist; experienced professional |
| 95th | ~NZ$160,000 | Leadership roles; high-demand specialists |
| 99th (Top 1%) | ~NZ$225,000+ | Executive; partner; high-earning business owner |
Source: Stats NZ Labour Market Statistics and Household Income Statistics, June 2025. Individual (not household) income.
Median Income by Age Group
| Age Group | Median Individual Income (Employed) |
|---|---|
| 15–19 | ~NZ$18,000 |
| 20–24 | ~NZ$33,000 |
| 25–34 | ~NZ$58,000 |
| 35–44 | ~NZ$72,000 |
| 45–49 | ~NZ$80,000 |
| 50–54 | ~NZ$78,000 |
| 55–59 | ~NZ$72,000 |
| 60–64 | ~NZ$65,000 |
| 65+ | ~NZ$28,000 (all persons, mostly NZ Super) |
Income peaks in the 45–49 age group and begins declining modestly after 55, reflecting a mix of early retirement, reduced hours, and sector-specific factors. See the full breakdown in New Zealand income percentile by age.
Median Income by Region
| Region | Median Weekly Earnings (Employed) |
|---|---|
| Auckland | ~NZ$1,500/week (NZ$78,000/yr) |
| Wellington | ~NZ$1,620/week (NZ$84,240/yr) |
| Canterbury | ~NZ$1,340/week (NZ$69,680/yr) |
| Bay of Plenty | ~NZ$1,230/week (NZ$63,960/yr) |
| Waikato | ~NZ$1,270/week (NZ$66,040/yr) |
| Otago | ~NZ$1,280/week (NZ$66,560/yr) |
| National median (employed) | ~NZ$1,380/week (NZ$71,760/yr) |
Wellington leads all regions due to the concentration of central government employment. Auckland’s average is lifted by the financial services, technology, and corporate sectors. Regional centres have meaningfully lower median earnings, though cost-of-living differentials partially offset this.
NZ Income Tax Rates 2025-26
New Zealand has a progressive income tax system with five brackets. Rates apply from 1 April 2025:
| Taxable Income | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $15,600 | 10.5% |
| $15,601 – $53,500 | 17.5% |
| $53,501 – $78,100 | 30% |
| $78,101 – $180,000 | 33% |
| $180,001+ | 39% |
Worked example — NZ$71,760 salary:
- $0–$15,600: NZ$1,638 tax
- $15,601–$53,500: NZ$6,632 tax
- $53,501–$71,760: NZ$5,478 tax
- Total income tax: ~NZ$13,748 (19.2% effective rate)
- Take-home (before KiwiSaver and ACC): ~NZ$58,012
The ACC earner levy adds approximately NZ$1,200 on a NZ$71,760 salary. KiwiSaver at 3% deducts a further NZ$2,153. Combining all deductions, the take-home on the median salary is approximately NZ$54,700/year (~NZ$1,052/week).
What Counts as a Good Salary in New Zealand?
“Good salary” depends heavily on location, household structure, and lifestyle expectations. A general framework:
| Salary | Percentile | Context |
|---|---|---|
| NZ$50,000 | ~50th (all persons) | Minimum for a comfortable solo life in a regional city |
| NZ$70,000–$80,000 | ~55th–70th (employed) | Comfortable in most NZ cities; stretched in Auckland |
| NZ$100,000 | ~82nd–85th | Above-average professional income; homeownership possible |
| NZ$120,000 | ~88th–90th | Top 10%; strong financial position |
| NZ$160,000 | ~95th | Top 5%; high-earning professional |
| NZ$225,000+ | ~99th | Top 1%; executive or senior specialist |
For homeownership in Auckland, where median house prices remain around NZ$950,000–$1,050,000 post-correction, a household income of NZ$130,000–$150,000 is typically required to service a mortgage at current interest rates (~6.5%), with a 20% deposit.
Cluster Guides
- New Zealand Income Percentile Calculator — find your exact percentile
- Average Salary in New Zealand 2026 — salary by age, region, industry and gender
- New Zealand Income Percentile by Age — detailed age-band breakdown
Sources
- Stats NZ. “Labour market statistics (income): June 2025 quarter.” stats.govt.nz
- Stats NZ. “Household income and housing-cost statistics: Year ended June 2025.” stats.govt.nz
- IRD. “Tax rates for individuals.” ird.govt.nz
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