Skills in demand 2024
Accountants, IT Project Managers and Executive Assistants are among the top skills in most demand in New Zealand in 2024. With education, defence and architecture among the sectors still experiencing extreme skills shortages.
Last year, the skills market in NZ remained incredibly tight, with 88 per cent of employers experiencing a skills shortage. This has eased somewhat according to the Hays Annual Salary Guide, with 79 per cent of employers now reporting a skills shortage. Although it does mean four in five employers are still experiencing shortages, with that being extreme for 16 per cent of them.
As a result of this sustained short supply of skilled staff, there are some roles and skills that are very much in demand in New Zealand.
Top ten skills in demand
Following is Hays’s list of the top ten skills in demand for 2024. These are the skills that are in strongest demand relative to supply in New Zealand.
Accountants
Accounting professionals are sought across the board, particularly at the intermediate level. A decline in people undertaking an accounting degree is adding to the skills imbalance. Technical Financial Accountants and Management Accountants with experience are particularly highly valued, as are Assistant Accountants, Finance Managers, Accounts Payable Officers and Payroll Officers.
According to the latest Hays Salary Guide Finance Managers can typically earn $135k within a business with a turnover up to $100m, and $170k in a business with a turnover over $300m – although the upper limit for this role can be as high as $180k.
Browse Accounting roles here.
IT Project Managers
As organisations continue to embed agility or new technology into their operations, Project Managers are sought to lead programs and guide a project’s output. A Project Manager can typically earn $130k in NZ. This can rise to $160k for a Senior Project.
Browse Project Manager roles here.
Executive Assistants
Office support professionals are in demand across all industries. Executive Assistants are the most highly sought after, with experienced and skilled professionals not remaining in the job market for long. A typical Executive Assistant working for one person in Auckland, earns $85k.
Administrators, Personal Assistants and Receptionists are also valued.
Business Development Managers
Many organisations are placing increased emphasis on sales growth. This is fuelling demand for Business Development Managers, Account Managers and Sales Engineers, with experience using Salesforce highly desirable.
A Business Development Manager in General sales typically earns around $105k in Auckland, although the range is normally between $75k and $120k across New Zealand.
For those working in IT and Telecomm sales, $140k is a typical Auckland salary, with a high of $160k.
Browse Sales roles here.
Engineers
From Civil to Structural and Grid, engineering professionals remain in high demand. With both federal and state governments continuing to focus on infrastructure projects, hiring demand is evident across the nation. A Structural Engineer earns around $120k in Auckland, but can rise to $160k.
Software Developers
Despite the rise of AI such as ChatGPT, Software Developers remain in high demand in both tech firms and across most industries. As organisations increase their rate of digital adoption, streamline operations and look to stay competitive in a digital-first world, these professionals are sought to design, build and maintain software solutions.
A basic developer working with .net or java typically earns around $115k New Zealand, although this is more like $145k for a senior developer and can have an upper limit of $160k.
Browse Software Developer roles here.
Procurement Specialists
With contracts up for renewal, candidates with experience in setting up panels leading tender requests and drafting contracts are in high demand. Contract Managers are also needed, thanks to a heightened focus on the use of external suppliers, which has fed demand for professionals experienced in handling more intricate contracts. Candidates must possess skills in assessing supplier performance, negotiation and managing established contracts, with the latter an extremely rare skill at present.
A Procurement Specialist typically earns $95k, although an upper limit of $120k.
Communications Specialists:
Professionals with corporate communications experience do not remain on the market long. The sheer volume of work available sees demand outstrip supply.
There is big money to be made near the top of the tree, with an Executive Director of Communications earning up to $275k. In an entry level role such as PR Executive, a typical salary is $80k.
Browse Communications Specialists roles here.
Business Analysts
Given the pace of digital transformation, Business Analysts are sought to translate business requirements into technical solutions, identify areas for improvement and facilitate innovation. Candidates must possess exceptional analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
A Business Analyst in typically earns around $110k, and a Senior Business Analyst typically earns $135k, although there is an upper limit of around $150k for some Auckland jobs.
Browse Business Analyst roles here.