Enter your annual gross income to see where you rank among New Zealand wage and salary earners, based on Inland Revenue’s individual income distribution data for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The median individual wage or salary income in New Zealand was $59,900 for the year ended March 2025. Earning $100,000 puts you at about the 80th percentile, roughly the top 20% of earners. $130,000 is around the top 10%, and $165,000 is around the top 5%. These figures cover everyone with wage or salary income, including part-time workers, so full-time-only thresholds sit somewhat higher.
Income Percentile Calculator
NZ Income Distribution Table (Year Ended March 2025)
The table below shows the exact decile and percentile boundaries for individual wage and salary income in New Zealand, based on Inland Revenue data covering 2,865,230 individuals for the year ended 31 March 2025.
| Annual Income | Percentile | Top % of Earners |
|---|---|---|
| $6,900 | 10th | Top 90% |
| $18,950 | 20th | Top 80% |
| $34,000 | 30th | Top 70% |
| $48,600 | 40th | Top 60% |
| $59,900 | 50th (median) | Top 50% |
| $70,100 | 60th | Top 40% |
| $82,500 | 70th | Top 30% |
| $99,900 | 80th | Top 20% |
| $129,850 | 90th | Top 10% |
| $163,400 | 95th | Top 5% |
| $278,750 | 99th | Top 1% |
Source: Inland Revenue individual wage and salary income distribution data, year ended 31 March 2025. Total wage and salary income across all 2.87 million earners was $194.4 billion, giving a mean of about $67,850. The mean sits well above the median because a relatively small number of very high earners pull the average up.
Includes all individuals with wage or salary income, including part-time and casual workers. Full-time employee percentiles are higher, see below.
All Earners vs Full-Time Employees
Income percentiles vary significantly depending on whether you compare yourself to:
All wage and salary earners: Includes part-time workers, students, and casual workers, a large group that pulls the median down. The 2025 median was $59,900.
Full-time employees only: A narrower group. Median weekly earnings for full-time NZ employees are approximately $1,350–$1,400/week (~$70,000–$73,000/year), based on Stats NZ Household Labour Force Survey data.
If you work full-time, you’re already above the “all earners” median simply by working full hours. Context matters. A $75,000 salary puts you in the top 36% of all wage and salary earners (64th percentile), but only around the 50th–55th percentile among full-time employees.
Auckland vs Rest of NZ
Salary levels and costs of living differ significantly by region:
| Region | Approximate Median Income | Cost of Living vs NZ Average |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | ~$68,000 | ~15–20% higher |
| Wellington | ~$75,000 | ~10–15% higher |
| Christchurch | ~$63,000 | Broadly average |
| Hamilton | ~$60,000 | Slightly below average |
| Tauranga | ~$62,000 | Slightly above average |
| Dunedin | ~$58,000 | Broadly average |
| Regional NZ | $48,000–$58,000 | Often lower |
Auckland median incomes are higher, but so is the cost of housing, childcare, and transport. A $75,000 salary in Invercargill provides more purchasing power than the same salary in Auckland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentile is $100,000 in New Zealand?
Based on IRD’s 2025 wage and salary data, $100,000 sits at approximately the 80th percentile, meaning it’s higher than about 80% of individuals with wage or salary income. Among full-time employees only, it sits closer to the 70th–75th percentile, since that group’s distribution is shifted higher overall. Around 20% of all wage and salary earners receive $100,000 or more per year.
What is the median salary in New Zealand in 2026?
The median individual wage or salary income was $59,900 for the year ended March 2025, based on Inland Revenue data. The median for full-time employees is higher, approximately $70,000–$73,000/year, based on Stats NZ Household Labour Force Survey data (a different data source covering full-time employees only).
What percentage of New Zealanders earn over $150,000?
Approximately 6–7% of individuals with wage or salary income earn $150,000 or more per year, since $150,000 sits at roughly the 93rd–94th percentile in the 2025 IRD data. Among full-time employees aged 25–64 the share is higher. Auckland and Wellington have higher concentrations of high earners due to the tech, finance, and public service sectors.
Is $80,000 a good salary in New Zealand?
$80,000 sits at about the 68th percentile, putting you in the top 32% of individual wage and salary earners. For a single person, it provides a comfortable lifestyle outside Auckland and is workable in Auckland with careful budgeting. See the good salary guide for a detailed regional breakdown.
How does NZ income compare internationally?
New Zealand’s median income is broadly similar to Australia (adjusted for cost of living), somewhat below the US and UK, and above most European countries except Scandinavia and Switzerland. High housing costs relative to income are the main source of financial stress for most NZ earners.