New Zealand edition2026-27 IRD rates
New Zealand Technology Market Intelligence 2026
Explore what the technology market in New Zealand actually pays in 2026, including the highest-paying roles, the skills most in demand from employers, and which jobs are seeing the fastest salary growth.
82tech roles tracked20in-demand skills trackedNZ$188Khighest median salary
Top salaries
Top-paying tech roles in New Zealand
The highest-paying technology skills and roles in New Zealand, ranked by median salary.
Swipe to see every figure
| Skill | Median Salary | Average Salary | Salary Range | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Product, Design & IT LeadershipContractor rate | NZ$188K | NZ$187K | NZ$168K-NZ$210K | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #2Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Cybersecurity & GRCContractor rate | NZ$178K | NZ$176K | NZ$144K-NZ$195K | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #3AI Product Manager Artificial IntelligenceContractor rate | NZ$158K | NZ$157K | NZ$144K-NZ$170K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #4AI Research Scientist Artificial Intelligence & Machine LearningContractor rate | NZ$158K | NZ$157K | NZ$144K-NZ$170K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #5AI Strategy & Solutions Architect Smart City & Deep Tech | NZ$158K | NZ$157K | NZ$144K-NZ$170K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #6Algorithmic Trading Systems Engineer Quant & FinTechContractor rate | NZ$158K | NZ$157K | NZ$144K-NZ$170K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #7Cloud Security Specialist Cloud & CybersecurityContractor rate | NZ$158K | NZ$157K | NZ$144K-NZ$170K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #8Cybersecurity Specialist / Architect Security & RiskContractor rate | NZ$158K | NZ$157K | NZ$144K-NZ$170K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #9Data Center Facilities Manager / Architect Smart City & Deep TechContractor rate | NZ$158K | NZ$157K | NZ$144K-NZ$170K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #10Enterprise Architect Software EngineeringContractor rate | NZ$158K | NZ$157K | NZ$144K-NZ$170K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #11MLOps Engineer Data & AnalyticsContractor rate | NZ$158K | NZ$157K | NZ$144K-NZ$170K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #12Principal Software Engineer Software EngineeringContractor rate | NZ$158K | NZ$157K | NZ$144K-NZ$170K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #13Quantitative Developer (C++ / Python) Quant & FinTech | NZ$158K | NZ$157K | NZ$144K-NZ$170K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #14Senior Cloud & Infrastructure Lead Cloud Infrastructure | NZ$158K | NZ$157K | NZ$144K-NZ$170K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #15Web3 Security Engineer Web3 Blockchain & PaymentsContractor rate | NZ$158K | NZ$157K | NZ$144K-NZ$170K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #16Engineering Manager Software EngineeringContractor rate | NZ$146K | NZ$145K | NZ$128K-NZ$170K | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #17Deep Learning Scientist Artificial Intelligence & Machine LearningContractor rate | NZ$143K | NZ$142K | NZ$120K-NZ$160K | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #18Generative AI Specialist Artificial Intelligence & Machine LearningContractor rate | NZ$143K | NZ$142K | NZ$120K-NZ$160K | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #19Application Security (AppSec) Engineer Cloud & CybersecurityContractor rate | NZ$140K | NZ$140K | NZ$128K-NZ$151K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #20Business Intelligence (BI) Lead Data AI & AnalyticsContractor rate | NZ$140K | NZ$140K | NZ$128K-NZ$151K | Moderate ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
Hiring demand
Most In-Demand Tech Skills in New Zealand
Find out which technology skills New Zealand employers are hiring for most, based on coverage depth and benchmark consistency.
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| Skill | Demand Index | Coverage Score | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1AI / ML Engineer Artificial Intelligence & Machine LearningContractor rate | Very High | 60/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #2API & Integration Architect Architecture & Integration | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #3Back End Developer (Java / Go / Node.js) Software Engineering & IT LeadershipContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #4Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Cybersecurity & GRCContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #5Cloud Architect (AWS / Azure / GCP) Cloud InfrastructureContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #6Data Architect Data & AnalyticsContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #7Data Engineer (Databricks/Snowflake) Data Science, Analytics & EngineeringContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #8Data Scientist Data & AnalyticsContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #9Database Administrator (Oracle / PostgreSQL / NoSQL) Cloud InfrastructureContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #10DevOps Engineer Infrastructure & CloudContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #11Engineering Manager Software EngineeringContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #12Full Stack Engineer (React / Next.Js / TypeScript) Software EngineeringContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #13Identity & Access Management (IAM) Engineer Cybersecurity & Risk | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #14Mobile Developer Software EngineeringContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #15Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker Cybersecurity & RiskContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #16Platform Engineer Infrastructure & CloudContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #17Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) Software Engineering & DevelopmentContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #18Solutions Architect Software EngineeringContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #19Technical Product Manager (TPM) Product, Design & DeliveryContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
| #20UI/UX Designer Design & IT LeadershipContractor rate | Medium | 43/100 | High ConfidenceHigh Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only. |
Salary growth trends
Fastest Growing Tech Jobs in New Zealand
Which New Zealand tech roles have seen the biggest pay rises, based on matched year-on-year salary comparisons.
Year-on-year growth data is still building for this market
Matched two-year comparisons need a full prior-year benchmark cycle. Check back as more data is published.
Salary Distribution
Under NZ$70K0 roles
NZ$70K-NZ$90K0 roles
NZ$90K-NZ$110K0 roles
NZ$110K+20 roles
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Market insights
Tech Pay Trends in New Zealand: What the Data Shows
Data-driven insights on where New Zealand's technology pay is heading, which disciplines are moving, and what the benchmarks signal for hiring in 2026.
Cybersecurity
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is one of the clearest signals in this cluster, with medium demand and a NZ$178K median benchmark.
Signal
High ConfidenceModerate coverage
Cloud & Infrastructure
Cloud Architect (AWS / Azure / GCP) is one of the clearest signals in this cluster, with medium demand and a NZ$137K median benchmark.
Signal
High ConfidenceModerate coverage
Data & AI
AI / ML Engineer is one of the clearest signals in this cluster, with very high demand and a NZ$133K median benchmark.
Signal
High ConfidenceStrong coverage
Software Engineering
Back End Developer (Java / Go / Node.js) is one of the clearest signals in this cluster, with medium demand and a NZ$108K median benchmark.
Signal
High ConfidenceModerate coverage
Product & Design
Technical Product Manager (TPM) is one of the clearest signals in this cluster, with medium demand and a NZ$128K median benchmark.
Signal
High ConfidenceModerate coverage
Reports
Deep-Dive Reports: New Zealand Salary & Market Data
Explore individual reports on the highest-paid tech skills, the most in-demand roles, and the fastest-growing jobs in New Zealand.
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