Reference
NZ Average Weekly Earnings and Wage Growth 2026
Last updated: (latest data: March 2026 quarter)
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$1,716
Avg Weekly Earnings (FTE)
$44.12
Ordinary Time Hourly
Quarterly
QES Release
Average weekly earnings and wage growth from the Stats NZ Quarterly Employment Survey (QES). This is different from the annual income survey: the QES measures what employers pay per filled job each quarter, so it is the standard gauge of how fast wages are moving. The figures below are for full-time equivalent employees and include overtime.
PAYE Calculator Pay Rise Calculator Hourly to SalaryLatest Earnings (March 2026 quarter)
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average weekly earnings, FTE (including overtime) | $1,716 |
| Average ordinary time hourly earnings | $44.12 |
| Annualised average earnings (FTE) | ~$89,000 |
Source: Stats NZ - Quarterly Employment Survey. Average weekly earnings for full-time equivalents rose to $1,712 and ordinary time hourly earnings to $43.99.
Average Weekly Earnings vs Average Salary
| Measure | What it shows |
|---|---|
| QES average weekly earnings | What employers pay per filled job, surveyed quarterly. Best for tracking wage movement. |
| Income survey median (annual) | The middle personal income across all earners, lower than the average because high earners pull the average up. |
| Labour Cost Index (LCI) | Measures pure wage inflation for the same job, stripping out changes in hours, overtime and the mix of jobs. |
Wages grew strongly from 2021 to 2023 on labour shortages and minimum wage rises, then moderated from 2024 as the labour market softened. For the middle personal income rather than the average, see our average and median salary reference.
Cite this page
NZ Average Weekly Earnings and Wage Growth 2026. Calculate.co.nz. https://www.calculate.co.nz/reference/nz-average-weekly-earnings.php (retrieved 31 August 2026).
Figures are compiled from the official sources listed above and reviewed twice monthly.