Top ten highest salaries in New Zealand
Wondering which jobs in the Hays Salary Guide FY26/27 pay the most?
Salary isn’t the only thing that matters when you think about what makes for a great career, but knowing which jobs pay the best in your preferred industry can help you map out potential career moves for future prosperity.
The highest paying jobs in New Zealand in 2026/2027
Along with the latest market insights and trends, the Hays Salary Guide FY26/27 reveals typical salaries for thousands of jobs across New Zealand. Based on this data, we’ve collated the following list of some of New Zealand’s highest paying jobs.
For salaries in other locations or other roles in your field, please see the Hays Salary Guide FY26/27 and to check if your salary stacks up, try the Hays Salary Checker.
1. Executive - CEO and MD in large commercial organisations (up to $600k+)
Reaching the top job is a solid bet for a significant pay packet.
- Other C-Suite positions also land high on the scale, with COO/EGM and CFO/FD in similar organisations earning NZ$500k+ typical.
- The not-for-profit sector CEO at turnover above NZ$500m earns NZ$450k+ typical, which is well above any other comparable NZ role.
Success factors
Strategic direction and a track record of delivering shareholder value are essential for competing at this level of executive leadership. They must also demonstrate the ability to deliver strong business plans, foster team culture across hybrid environments, and drive digital transformation.
2. Legal - Equity Partner (up to $380k+)
Having an ownership stake in the legal industry creates a high ceiling but is not without risk.
- NZ Equity Partners at top-tier firms earn NZ$380k+ typical as a national floor, compared with AU$850k+ for the equivalent role in Sydney, Australia, reflecting the different scale and depth of the NZ legal market.
- Salaried partners at top-tier NZ firms earn NZ$220k+ typical (floor, no ceiling published); Special Counsel earns NZ$218k typical (range NZ$180k–NZ$230k).
Success factors
Consistent, loyal service and demonstrable impact can go a long way in becoming an Equity Partner. They must also demonstrate the ability to make high level business and administration decisions, develop strong client relationships that generate consistent revenue, and cultivate a strong strategic vision that aligns with the company values.
3. Property - Development Director (up to $357K+)
Property development leadership sits high on the list of well-paying jobs, with a significant concentration in Auckland.
- Auckland leads at NZ$306k typical (range NZ$255k–NZ$357k); while Wellington and Christchurch both sit at NZ$280k typical (range NZ$255k–NZ$357k). This is a notably tight geographic spread, suggesting consistent national demand for senior development leadership.
- The range extends to NZ$357k in Auckland, placing the development director ceiling above the NZ Head of Compliance and level with some executive functional c-suite roles.
Success factors
Leaders in property development should develop critical skills in acquisitions, stakeholder relations and zoning regulations, as well as significant experience in managing the development pipeline.
4. Banking and Finance - Head of Compliance (up to $350k)
The banking sector has slipped slightly down the rankings, with many finance jobs sitting in the mid-$300k range - a step behind other industries where top salaries have pushed higher.
- Both Auckland and Wellington sit at NZ$280k typical (ranging between NZ$220k floor and NZ$350k ceiling).
- Head of Financial Crime / AML in NZ does not have a published senior equivalent at this level, making Head of Compliance the clearest benchmark for the NZ banking risk and compliance market.
Success factors
Leaders in compliance play a critical role in helping organisations meet their business objectives while protecting against financial and regulatory threats. Vital skills include a strong understanding of prudential regulation, RBNZ compliance and risk frameworks, as well as experience with predictive analytics and risk modelling.
5. Technology - Chief Data Officer (up to $350k)
New Zealand’s technology sector offers some of the most consistent six-figure salaries for senior IT executives.
- Auckland leads at NZ$280k (ranging between NZ$180k–NZ$350k); Wellington at NZ$250k (ranging between NZ$180k–NZ$300k); Christchurch at NZ$220k (ranging between NZ$180k–NZ$270k).
- Unlike Australia, NZ AI leadership salaries are not separately benchmarked, indicating a potential growth area in the coming years as the impact of AI scales.
Success factors
A university degree in computer science and extensive experience in management roles pave a secure path towards top tech jobs. IT professionals at this level also need advanced leadership in data governance, cybersecurity, cloud transformation, and AI and analytics strategy.
6. Energy - Project Director of NZ$100m+ projects (up to $320k+)
New Zealand’s energy sector is seeing strong demand for senior project leaders, particularly across large-scale infrastructure and transition projects. New Zealand’s energy transition pipeline - including grid upgrades, renewable generation, and transmission projects - is sustaining strong demand for senior project leadership across Auckland, Wellington and the regions.
- Construction Manager on the same scale earns NZ$280k typical (range NZ$240k–NZ$300k), and Senior Project Manager earns NZ$200k typical (range NZ$180k–NZ$250k), demonstrating a clear seniority premium at the director level.
Success factors
To succeed at a senior level in energy as a Project Director, it’s important to demonstrate large-scale project management skills, have significant experience in managing energy transition pipelines, have excellent stakeholder management skills, and experience with contract negotiation.
7. Human Resources - Head of HR/HR Director (up to $300k)
Human resources directors are essential advisors for many organisations that need to navigate the changing world of business and industrial regulation.
- The difference in remuneration for Head of HR / HR Director in organisations of different sizes is not hugely significant. Head of HR for organisations with 250–1,000 employees earn NZ$194k typical (ranging between NZ$160k–NZ$255k), with a differential of around NZ$50k.
- Workforce transformation, hybrid work policy, and the Employment Relations Act reform agenda are sustaining demand for senior HR leadership across NZ organisations of all sizes.
Success factors
Demand for experienced HR professionals has intensified, with skill requirements including a strong knowledge of employment relations, strategic talent acquisition, workforce planning and culture leadership.
8. Sales - General Manager of Sales in FMCG & consumer goods (up to $300k)
Senior sales jobs routinely offer six-figure pay for those able to deliver results.
- Auckland leads the market at NZ$250k typical (ranging between NZ$200k–NZ$300k); followed by Wellington at NZ$240k (ranging between NZ$180k–NZ$280k); then Christchurch NZ$225k (ranging between NZ$175k–NZ$265k).
- Industrial and Technical GM of Sales sits slightly lower at NZ$240k typical in Auckland (ranging between NZ$200k–NZ$280k), making FMCG the highest-averaging sales leadership category in NZ.
Success factors
High-performing sales leaders must excel in revenue growth and delivery, key account management, team leadership on a large scale, and strong market analysis.
9. Construction - Commercial Management (up to $224k)
Commercial construction continues to be one of the highest-paying career paths in New Zealand’s building sector.
- Auckland leads at NZ$194k typical (ranging between NZ$153k–NZ$224k); followed by Wellington at NZ$160k (ranging between NZ$140k–NZ$200k); and rounded out by South Island at NZ$140k (ranging between NZ$130k–NZ$180k).
- The NZ construction salary structure sits materially below the AU equivalent across all comparable roles, consistent with NZ’s smaller project pipeline and fewer large-scale urban developments.
Success factors
Leaders of large-scale construction jobs need the capacity to deliver projects safely and on time, along with advanced project delivery abilities, experience with commercial builds and contract management, and extensive site leadership experience.
10. Accountancy - Head of Treasury (up to $204k)
Senior leadership in treasury and finance positions can certainly secure a solid six-figure salary.
- Additionally, Head of Tax in NZ earns NZ$170k typical in Auckland (ranging between NZ$150k–NZ$185k); while Head of Internal Audit earns NZ$150k (ranging between NZ$140k–NZ$160k). Both sit within the same accounting & finance sector.
- The NZ Head of Treasury rate sits materially below the equivalent AU figure (NZ$157k vs AU$274k national average), reflecting the smaller NZ corporate treasury market.
Success factors
Aspiring finance leaders should expect to gain 10+ years’ experience in finance, banking, accounting, or in-house corporate treasury. Skills required include cashflow management, regulatory reporting experience, advanced knowledge of capital markets, and compliance expertise.
Find more of New Zealand’s highest paying jobs
As you can see, plenty of the highest paying jobs in New Zealand exist across a wide range of industry sectors.
For more information on which jobs pay the most in New Zealand download the Hays Salary Guide FY26/27. Our flagship report is full of findings pertinent to employers and candidates making smarter decisions in the world of work and offers an insightful portrait of typical salaries across sectors and industries.