Explore the Best Jobs Near You
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With a population of 5.1 million––significantly smaller compared to neighboring Australia––New Zealand is a unique world of its own. Of that entire population, about 2.85 million are employed, and 555,000 are employed on a part-time basis.
Because the cost of living in New Zealand is relatively high (roughly NZ$3,000 to NZ$4,000 per month for a single person living in the city), it is important to have a well-paying job––and fortunately, many of the jobs that are considered in-demand are looking for qualified candidates right now.
In this article, we’ll share with you the most in-demand jobs in New Zealand, skills, and salaries.
What Skills Are In High Demand in New Zealand?
Before exploring in more detail the most in-demand jobs in New Zealand, let’s touch on some of the skills these (and many other) jobs require. Listed below are the most in-demand skills New Zealand-based job seekers ought to have (or be working on developing):
Customer Service
Good customer service skills are always in high demand, but they’re particularly valuable right now. From retail establishments to IT firms, all kinds of companies are looking for people who are patient and good at communicating with others. If you can check these boxes, there’s a good chance you’ll have plenty of jobs available to you, especially if you also have previous customer service experience.
Project Management
Project managers are required across all industries in New Zealand to help businesses run smoothly and ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. Project managers must possess industry-specific knowledge, but they must also possess a variety of soft skills. They need to be good communicators, well-organized, and good at motivating others.
Nursing
In New Zealand, there’s a high demand for qualified and experienced nurses who know how to support their patients and provide them with the physical, medical, and emotional care they need. If you’ve received training as a nurse, you likely will not run into any problems when it comes to searching for a job, especially in the wake of COVID-19.
Design
For those with creative flair and a keen eye for detail, design jobs in New Zealand are looking for you. Graphic designers, art directors, interior designers, architects, writers, producers…the list of design-centric positions up for grabs is always growing.
Trades
Good old-fashioned hands-on skills are a popular commodity in New Zealand, as the need for tradespeople continues to climb into and beyond 2023. Anybody with technical, physical, or mathematical know-how, or experience working in construction, plumbing, electrical, and welding, can easily find a job.
What Are the Most In-Demand Jobs in New Zealand?
Now, let’s break down the most in-demand jobs in New Zealand in 2024. Listed below are 30 high-demand jobs that you might want to pursue if you’re looking for a job (or to make a career change) in New Zealand this year:
Companies hiring: TAGGUN, Vontier, Visory, Deloitte
Software Developer Salary range: NZD $79,000 to $91,000 per year
Job description: Software developers are responsible for the creation of specific computer applications and programs used to carry out specific tasks and are essential for digital transformation.
Top companies hiring: Metlifecare, Auckland DHB, Ryman Healthcare
Registered Nurse Salary range: NZD $79,000 to $86,000 per year
Job description: A staple of the medical industry, registered nurses are always in demand in New Zealand and will continue to be one of the most in-demand jobs for years to come. Nurses can work a variety of jobs, from traditional positions in hospitals to positions within outpatient or rehabilitation facilities.
Top companies hiring: Canstaff, Manpower Resources, Jensen Steel Fabricators
Welder Salary range: NZD $69,000 to $76,000 per year
Job description: Firms throughout New Zealand are consistently searching for highly qualified and skilled people in the welding trade. Welders review blueprints and assemble or repair metal components during construction projects or when performing on-site maintenance work.
Top companies hiring: HAYS, Cushman & Wakefield, Downer New Zealand
HVAC Mechanic Salary range: NZD $85,000 to $102,000 per year
Job description: A highly demanding (and in-demand) trades job, HVAC mechanics and technicians install, repair, and maintain heating, cooling, and ventilation systems for businesses and residences.
Top companies hiring: New Zealand Government, Te Whatu Ora Southern, University of Waikato
Psychologist Salary range: NZD $92,000 to $128,000 per year
Job description: New Zealand has faced significant stress on its collective healthcare system in the last 3 years –– so, it’s no wonder that support professions specializing in mental health have been consistently on the rise. Psychologists are needed now more than ever, and career prospects look good for 2023 and beyond. After all, people are always going to want and need quality mental health support.
Top companies hiring: Concentrix, Rabobank, Ventia, Verifone
Call Center Specialist Salary range: NZD $42,000 to $58,000 per year
Job description: Some people have a natural gift for connecting with others and know just the right words to say to sway their decision-making. If this sounds like you, an urgent-hire job in a call center could be a good fit. In New Zealand, many companies let employees perform these jobs from home, completely remote.
Top companies hiring: SGS, Vector NZ, Canon, Aon Corporation
Accountant Salary range: NZD $78,000 to $110,000 per year
Job description: Businesses, large and small, can benefit greatly from having an experienced accountant on staff. Independently, accountants also work with individuals to help them handle their finances. Because there’s so much versatility in what accountants can do, there are tons of job openings in New Zealand, many with a lot of room for growth.
Top companies hiring: Foundever, Concentrix, Suncorp New Zealand
Customer Service Associate Salary range: NZD $51,000 to $66,000 per year
Job description: Many business owners across New Zealand are urgently looking to hire employees to manage the overflow of inbound chat and telecommunication questions from companies. These types of roles are heavily in demand and typically require minimal experience.
Top companies hiring: Back9 Creative, Open League, AlphaGlobal, The Creative Store
Graphic Designer Salary range: NZD $59,000 to $71,000 per year
Job description: There is always a high demand for creative artists in New Zealand, but those with specialized computer graphics abilities are particularly sought after. Graphic designers are visual communicators responsible for inspiring customers with their art––a skill that is useful in many industries, especially retail.
Top companies hiring: SkyCity Entertainment, Sunset Rooftop Bar, Millennium Hotels & Resorts
Bartender Salary range: NZD $51,000 to $66,000 per year
Job description: One of the most popular jobs for those looking to get a quick job, as well as a foot in the door of New Zealand’s hospitality sector, bartenders fulfill an essential role in restaurants and bars. If you are of legal age and know how to craft cocktails and sling suds then this is an exciting venture wherein you will likely meet all kinds of interesting people.
Top companies hiring: Ministry of Social Development NZ, Anderson Frank, University of Canterbury
Systems Analyst Salary range: NZD $61,000 to $84,000 per year
Job description: An effective Systems Analyst collects and stores information on sales numbers, market research, logistics, and other online behaviors. Qualified candidates provide technical expertise and organizational skills to ensure the quality and accuracy of that data before presenting it to help people and businesses make more informed work decisions.
Top companies hiring: Worldwide School of English, Gulf Education, Bloomingstars Childcare
Primary School Teacher Salary range: NZD $65,000 to $80,000 per year
Job description: Due to the many obstacles faced by teachers in New Zealand, especially those who had to work remotely through the COVID-19 pandemic in many of the smaller towns and cities, the need for additional skilled and experienced educators, especially at the junior and primary school level.
Top companies hiring: HainesAttract, Oranga Tamaiki––Ministry for Children, Wesley Community Action
Social Worker Salary range: NZD $72,000 to $94,000 per year
Job description: Clinical social workers help individuals and families attain physical, mental, and spiritual well-being while providing the tools required for all parties to cope with their stressors and triggers.
Top companies hiring: Downer, Cushman & Wakefield, Walton Plumbing
Plumber Salary range: NZD $62,000 to $91,000 per year
Job description: Skilled plumbers are in very high demand in New Zealand due to the varied expertise of their trade, including repairing leaks, laying building groundwork, and ongoing maintenance. With the necessary training in place, licensed plumbers can find plenty of companies looking to hire them.
Top companies hiring: Novotel, Accor Hotels, Atlas Chefs Ltd., Red Star Burger Bar
Chef Salary range: NZD $62,000 to $88,000 per year
Job description: Food is a universal love. But in New Zealand, it’s celebrated by people far and wide. Line cooks, pastry chefs, even entrepreneurial food truck operators –– the demand for talented crafters of cuisine will continue to grow well beyond 2023.
Top companies hiring: Pryotek Inc., Greenwell Management, Amiana Brick and Block
Bricklayer Salary range: NZD $52,000 to $74,000 per year
Job description: Just another highly valued and in-demand trades job, bricklayers and stonemasons are needed to lay bricks, concrete blocks, stone, and similar materials in order to erect or repair walls, building foundations, chimneys, fireplaces, and other structures.
Top companies hiring: APM New Zealand, Geneva Healthcare, Health First Group
Physiotherapist Salary range: NZD $68,000 to $93,000 per year
Job description: Many New Zealanders struggle with injuries or age-related pain management issues –– especially since long-COVID has weakened immune systems and placed a strain on the rehabilitation industry. This is where qualified Physiotherapists come in. These in-demand roles are essential and will continue to be required as the population grows.
Top companies hiring: Carlin Hotel Property Management, Princes’ Gate Hotel, Travel + Leisure Co.
Hospitality Manager Salary range: NZD $58,000 to $71,000 per year
Job description: Hotels and restaurants in New Zealand thrive on tourism and the need for qualified Hospitality Managers, who run the day-to-day operations of such businesses, is always in demand.
Top companies hiring: Fiserv, Campari Group, Decipher Group, Deloitte
Human Resource Manager Salary range: NZD $78,000 to $89,000 per year
Job description: Human Resource Managers play a key role in the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding process. They also provide ongoing training and work hard to ensure employees are supported in their jobs. There’s a growing need for skilled and experienced human resource managers throughout New Zealand.
Top companies hiring: One New Zealand, Babcock International Group, Fujitsu, PepsiCo.
IT Security Specialist Salary range: NZD $98,000 to $121,000 per year
Job description: Many of the most in-demand jobs in New Zealand fall within the Information Technology industry. As more audiences continue to move their personal and business lives online, the need for highly efficient IT Security Specialists (also known as Cyber Security Analysts) will grow.
Top companies hiring: STS Group, KiwiRail, Visa, Woolsworth
Administrative Assistant Salary range: NZD $53,000 to $70,000 per year
Top companies hiring: Downer, Worley, HAYS, Stantech, Naylor Love
Construction Manager Salary range: NZD $65,000 to $91,000 per year
Top companies hiring: One New Zealand, Treescape, Babcock, WSP New Zealand
Project Manager Salary range: NZD $78,000 to $102,000 per year
Top companies hiring: Nelson Marlborough Health, Brackenridge, Spectrum Care
Aged and Disability Support Worker Salary range: NZD $60,000 to $86,000 per year
Top companies hiring: University of Waikato, University of Canterbury, University of Auckland
University Lecturer Salary range: NZD $81,000 to $110,000 per year
Top companies hiring: RGC Global, VTNZ, Tesla, Bosch Group
Automotive Mechanic Salary range: NZD $52,000 to $74,000 per year
Top companies hiring: Randstad New Zealand, Guardian Childcare, Evolve Education Group
Childcare Worker Salary range: NZD $61,000 to $82,000 per year
Top companies hiring: DHL Supply Chain, Danaher, Colgate-Palmolive, New Zealand Government
Logistics and Supply Chain Manager Salary range: NZD $62,000 to $89,000 per year
Top companies hiring: DHL Supply Chain, Danaher, Colgate-Palmolive, New Zealand Government
Solicitor Salary range: NZD $62,000 to $89,000 per year
Top companies hiring: Newsteam Group, Uber, FedEx, Arjo
Courier Salary range: NZD $29,000 to $42,000 per year
Land the Most In-Demand Jobs in New Zealand
There you have it! The most in-demand skills and jobs in New Zealand! As the country’s workforce continues to evolve, certain job skills will become more sought-after, and filling certain positions will become more important. Be sure to stand out from all other candidates –– know where the demand is highest in New Zealand while brushing up on the most popular job skills. And you’re sure to succeed.
