Women in New Zealand currently make up a little less than half of the workforce (48 per cent, to be precise).
Approximately 1.26 million women are working in New Zealand right now, compared to 1.40 million men. Of this 1.26 thousand, though, nearly 50,000 are only working part-time and want to work more.
Despite these current inequities, New Zealand’s government is working hard to create a more fair work environment for both men and women. The country’s parliament even unanimously passed a bill last year to eradicate the gender pay gap.
For women who are looking for employment in New Zealand and want to maximize their earnings, especially in light of this new legislation, this guide is a great starting point. It breaks down the top careers for women in New Zealand based on salary, job growth, and job satisfaction.
For more information on careers in New Zealand, check out this article on the highest paying jobs in New Zealand and this article on the most in-demand jobs in New Zealand.
What Are the Top 10 High-Paying Careers for Women in New Zealand?
Salary is one of the most important factors for women to consider when women are looking for work in New Zealand. If you’re not sure which jobs offer the highest salaries, here are the 10 top high-paying careers for women in New Zealand:
Job Description: Information technology managers are responsible for coordinating, planning, and carrying out various IT-related activities for businesses.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is one of the best New Zealand careers for women with high salaries because there are currently lots of opportunities within the country’s tech industry.
Average Salary: NZ$128,000 per year
Job Description: Building and construction managers oversee construction crews and ensure projects are carried out correctly, on time, and on or under budget.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is one of the most in-demand jobs in New Zealand, and because women are starting to work in the construction industry more often, there are lots of opportunities for them.
Average Salary: NZ$132,000 per year
Job Description: IT architects design, implement, and oversee various security and business technologies to keep them up to date.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is another great career for women who want to work in tech because there are lots of high-paying openings throughout the country.
Average Salary: NZ$133,500 per year
Job Description: Marketing managers oversee marketing teams. They ensure projects and campaigns are carried out properly and completed on time.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: Marketing is a fast-growing field with lots of opportunities for women to rise through the ranks and earn management positions.
Average Salary: NZ$140,000 per year
Job Description: Procurement managers serve as the primary point of contact between businesses and their suppliers.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: For those looking for New Zealand careers for women with high salary, the career of procurement manager is a great one with a lot of responsibility attached to it.
Average Salary: NZ$142,500 per year
Job Description: Ophthalmologists diagnose eye diseases and perform eye surgeries.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is a rewarding and high-paying career for women who want to work in healthcare but don’t want to pursue a traditional position.
Average Salary: NZ$149,000 per year
Job Description: Senior communications specialists oversee a variety of matters related to a business’s public image and marketing strategy.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is another lucrative job for women who want to work in the marketing sector and enjoy a high level of responsibility.
Average Salary: NZ$160,000 per year
Job Description: Financial advisors work with business owners and individuals to help them make wise financial decisions.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: For financially savvy women, this is a great career in high demand throughout the country.
Average Salary: NZ$161,000 per year
Job Description: Anaesthesiologists administer anaesthesia to patients undergoing surgery and monitor them throughout the procedure.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is another high-paying healthcare career for women in New Zealand who want to work in a respected position and earn a high salary.
Average Salary: NZ$375,500 per year
Job Description: Judges serve as impartial decision-makers and are essential to carrying out the judicial process.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is one of the best careers for women in New Zealand, particularly those who are passionate about the law, because it offers a high salary and warrants a lot of respect from peers in the legal community.
Average Salary: NZ$441,500 per year
What Are the Top 10 High-Growth Careers for Women in New Zealand?
There are plenty of high-growth careers for women in New Zealand who want to have their pick of employers and enjoy lots of opportunities for advancement. The following are 10 of the best options to keep in mind:
Job Description: Government advisors analyze and offer advice/suggestions related to a variety of issues that affect the people of New Zealand.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: There’s a lot of room for career growth within the government sector, making this one of the best careers for women in New Zealand.
Average Salary: NZ$92,000 per year
Job Description: Physiotherapists work with patients who are recovering from surgery, injuries, and accidents to improve their mobility.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is a top career in New Zealand for women who want to help others and be part of the medical field.
Average Salary: NZ$57,366 per year
Job Description: Sales representatives work for various businesses and help them to close more deals and bring in more customers.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: For women who want to work in the sales field and want a job with virtually unlimited earning potential, this is a great choice.
Average Salary: NZ$83,881 per year
Job Description: Project managers work for various businesses and oversee teams working on many different projects. They ensure everything gets done correctly and efficiently.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: There are lots of opportunities for women in New Zealand to become project managers and oversee various tech projects.
Average Salary: NZ$101,300
Job Description: Social workers offer assistance to vulnerable populations, including children and those who are struggling with mental health challenges.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is one of the best jobs for women in New Zealand, particularly for women who want to help others and have a career that allows them to make a difference in people’s lives.
Average Salary: NZ$54,941 per year
Job Description: Registered nurses work alongside doctors and surgeons to care for patients and help them recover quickly.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is an excellent career for women in New Zealand who want to have their pick of employers and have lots of chances for advancement.
Average Salary: NZ$96,636 per year
Job Description: Psychologists work with clients who are struggling with mental health conditions and provide counselling to help them improve.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: For women who are interested in mental health and want to support others in need, a career as a psychologist is a great one that’s also in high demand right now.
Average Salary: NZ$80,696 per year
Job Description: Web developers write and edit code to create websites, apps, software, and other types of programs.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: A career as a web developer provides women with a good way to get their foot in the door of the tech industry.
Average Salary: NZ$70,000 per year
Job Description: Accountants work with individuals and businesses to help them manage their finances appropriately.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is another good career option for women who are financially savvy, and it’s in very high demand right now.
Average Salary: NZ$70,000 per year
Job Description: Quantity surveyors work for construction companies to estimate costs and ensure projects stay under budget.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is another one of the best jobs for women in New Zealand who are good with numbers and want to be part of the fast-growing construction field.
Average Salary: NZ$71,855 per year
What Are the Top 10 Most Rewarding Careers for Women Working in New Zealand?
In addition to salary and growth potential, women should also keep in mind how rewarding and fulfilling their potential careers will be. If satisfaction is important to you but you’re not sure what sort of job to consider, here are 10 of the most rewarding careers for women working in New Zealand:
Job Description: Marketing consultants work as part of business marketing teams to create and carry out promotional campaigns.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is one of the top jobs for women in New Zealand who love helping businesses grow and succeed.
Average Salary: NZ$58,500 per year
Job Description: Human resources managers oversee hiring, firing, onboarding, and other personnel-related matters at various companies.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is a great career option for women who want to be part of the business world; most find it very rewarding to manage a company’s personnel.
Average Salary: NZ$91,525 per year
Job Description: Physiotherapist assistants work alongside physiotherapists to care for and assist patients in their recovery.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is a fulfilling career that is great for women who want to work one-on-one with and support patients.
Average Salary: NZ$43,093 per year
Job Description: Physiotherapists work with patients who are recovering from surgery, injuries, and accidents to improve their mobility.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: Physiotherapists also work closely with patients and find it very fulfilling to watch them recover and regain their mobility after an accident or surgery.
Average Salary: NZ$57,366 per year
Job Description: Dental hygienists work alongside dentists to clean patients teeth and help them improve their oral health.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is one of the top jobs for women in New Zealand who want to be part of the dentistry field and care for patients but don’t want to spend as much time in school as dentists must.
Average Salary: NZ$93,100 per year
Job Description: Teachers instruct students of various ages in primary and secondary school.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: This is a very rewarding career for women in New Zealand, and good teachers are always in high demand.
Average Salary: NZ$63,613 per year
Job Description: Registered nurses work alongside doctors and surgeons to care for patients and help them recover quickly.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: Registered nurses typically find their jobs very rewarding, and they also have the opportunity to earn a higher-than-average salary at the same time.
Average Salary: NZ$96,636 per year
Job Description: Real estate agents help people buy and sell houses and condos.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: Many women find careers as real estate agents to be rewarding, and they enjoy the flexibility and high earning potential this job has to offer.
Average Salary: NZ$84,500 per year
Job Description: Psychologists work with clients who are struggling with mental health conditions and provide counselling to help them improve.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: Psychologists typically find caring for clients and helping them overcome their mental health struggles to be highly rewarding and valuable.
Average Salary: NZ$80,696 per year
Job Description: Social workers offer assistance to vulnerable populations, including children and those who are struggling with mental health challenges.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in New Zealand: For women who want to care for others and help them make positive changes in their lives, a career as a social worker is very rewarding.
Average Salary: NZ$54,941 per year
How to Get Started in One of the Top Careers for Women in New Zealand?
If you want to work in one of the top careers for women in New Zealand, you’ll need to do some preparation before you start applying for jobs and attending interviews. Here are some simple steps you can take right away to increase your chances of getting hired:
Update Your Resume
Start by refreshing your resume or CV. If you need to add any work experience or education you’ve received, do so before you start sending it to potential employers.
Obtain Proper Documentation
Make sure you have the proper documentation to work in New Zealand if you’re not a local. This includes obtaining a work visa and/or resident visa.
Practice Interview Questions and Answers
As the calls for interviews start rolling in, make sure you practice your answers to common questions. Practice asking questions, too, so you can make a good impression when you’re asked if there’s anything you want to know about the job.
Final Thoughts on the Top Careers for Women in New Zealand
If you’re looking to land one of the top careers for women in New Zealand, this guide can help you find the right fit that pays well, has a high rate of job growth, and has a high level of job satisfaction.
Do you need more help finding job openings in New Zealand? Use GrabJobs’ free search tool today to locate listings that align with your needs and goals.
