Find out where you stand with our NZ average salaries and NZ net worth by age guide. While earnings and net worth can be affected by a variety of factors, knowing where you stand helps you to set goals and make better financial decisions.
To sum up, comparing yourself to others can be a source of great joy, but it can also be a source of frustration. Many Kiwis want to know how they measure up to other Kiwis, but it can be hard to find the right data to compare income and Net worth by age.
Your earning potential and Net worth can also be affected by a variety of factors, such as your education, your skills, your work experience and the industry you work in.
So, it’s fair to say that knowing what you should make and net worth at every stage of your life can assist you in setting goals and making smart financial choices.
Stats NZ is the primary source of information used to compile and create this guide. Wherever possible, we have included as much impartial information as possible.
Teens Age 15 - 19
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, teens aged 15 to 19 earned a median of $390 per week. This equates to an annual income of $20.280 before taxes.
Age 20 - 24
You’ll either be out of university or you’ve just completed your trade qualification. Most likely, you’ll take an entry level role at either a private or public company. Generally speaking, private companies tend to pay higher than public organisations. This is because many private jobs come with short term incentive schemes, bonuses, or employee share schemes. For example, in New Zealand, entry level positions tend to pay between $40,000 and $50,000 per year.
Age 25 - 34
As you advance in your career, you will likely have the ability to negotiate for higher salaries and move from company to company or from one company to another. Salary levels in this age group can range from $50,000 to $80,000 per year.
Age 35 - 44
As you progress through your mid career, you’re likely to become highly skilled or experienced in specific areas of your work. You’re also likely to take on more organisational responsibility, including leadership, strategy, and support for junior graduates. All of this means that you’ll likely be more valuable in today’s market and will be able to command a higher pay scale. The average pay scale for this age group ranges from $80,000 to $100,000 per year.
Age 45 - 54
Most people in this age bracket are at the top of their career and will earn the highest salary among all age groups. At this stage of your life, you should have built up a significant amount of wealth and your net worth is likely to reflect that. Kiwis working in this age bracket earn between $100,000 and $150,000 per year.
Age 55+
Salaries may start to decline slightly as you get older, but many workers in this age group still make good money, with the national average earning between $80,000 to $100,000 per year.
We’ve looked at NZ’s Earnings and Net worth by age, and it’s clear that personal development and financial success is a never-ending journey. If you’re motivated to improve your financial standing, consider diversifying your income streams.
Take a deeper dive into growing your income with our comprehensive guide, Maximize your Earnings in NZ: top side hustles for extra income [2024].
