2025 New Zealand IT and Technology Salary Guide

It's no secret that the tech scene in New Zealand is constantly evolving, and we know it can sometimes feel overwhelming trying to keep up with all the twists and turns. Tech leaders are facing a whirlwind of challenges, from talent gaps and tech disruption to economic headwinds and cyber-threats. Now more than ever, companies understand that skilled IT professionals are the backbone of modern businesses, safeguarding critical systems and driving innovation. And due to their essential work in an organisation, technology workers want to know that their tireless work in developing cutting-edge software or securing critical infrastructure is compensated for fairly.

That’s why we have curated the 2025 Robert Half IT and Technology Salary Guide to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to make the right employment decisions. Whether you're a hiring manager looking to attract top tech talent or an IT jobseeker negotiating for a new role, this guide provides valuable insights and New Zealand salary benchmarks, based on Robert Half’s placement data, to facilitate better decisions.

View salaries by category

Starting salaries can vary greatly depending on a professional’s skills and experience, company size and demand for the role.

Architecture and Development

Business Intelligence

Business Analysis

Data / Database Management

Technical Support and Operations

Infrastructure and Engineering

IT Management

Project Management

Business Transformation

Test Analysis

Software Engineering

Software Development

Product Management

Design

Cyber Security

Position title

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

Infrastructure Architect

130000

150000

165000

Solutions Architect

140000

155000

170000

Principal Developer / Staff Engineer

150000

165000

180000

Enterprise Architect

160000

170000

185000

Data Architect

160000

170000

185000

25th percentile

The candidate has little or no prior experience in the position and is still developing relevant skills.

50th percentile

The candidate has an average level of experience and has most of the necessary skills.

75th percentile

The candidate has above-average experience, has most or all the necessary skills and may have specialised qualifications.

Salary range based on three percentiles The starting salaries represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits or KiwiSaver.

Technology market update

With more available tech talent in the New Zealand market, hiring managers are back in the driver's seat. Experts in software engineering, IT support and data are expected to be most sought after as companies seek to modernise their infrastructure and enhance their digital capabilities to drive innovation in an increasingly competitive market. At the same time, demand for business transformation professionals will pick up in 2025 as businesses start to reinvest in larger programs of work. Professional services, healthcare and insurance are among the sectors most heavily recruiting for tech professionals across New Zealand.

Data and cyber-security take centre stage

As it is in other countries, data and cyber-security skills are emerging as highly sought-after competencies in New Zealand. This focus stems from the increasing volume and complexity of cyber-threats, coupled with the growing reliance on data for informed decision making. As businesses become more data-driven, protecting sensitive data and securing systems is essential. Consequently, demand for professionals who can help safeguard and interpret company data continues to grow.

SMEs need data experts to drive business decisions

Small and medium-sized enterprises are prioritising data quality and analytics to drive better business decisions. This trend fuels demand for business intelligence tools and skilled professionals who can extract valuable insights from data, regardless of whether there are imminent plans to implement full-scale ERP systems.

Job security trumps salary for many IT professionals, as recent market fluctuations have heightened concerns about stability and long-term prospects. Despite continued high cost of living, compensation is naturally still top of mind with workers who want to ensure they are keeping up with inflation and being paid the going rate for their skills and experience.

of tech employees prioritise job security over salary in the current jobs market of tech employees prioritise job security over salary in the current jobs market

of tech workers are concerned inflation will outpace salary increases in 2025 of tech workers are concerned inflation will outpace salary increases in 2025

With technology constantly evolving, tech professionals seek to update their skills to remain competitive, improve job security and meet the demands of today’s tech scene. Companies should provide upskilling opportunities to tech workers to address the skills shortage while equipping businesses with the expertise needed to innovate and thrive.

of tech workers believe learning and enhancing AI skills related to their role is necessary for their future career success of tech workers believe learning and enhancing AI skills related to their role is necessary for their future career success

of tech workers would like more professional development and training in 2025 of tech workers would like more professional development and training in 2025

In-demand permanent jobs in IT and technology

Senior Software Developer

Systems/Network Engineer

IT Support

Business Analyst

Project Manager

Infrastructure and engineering

Technical support and operations

Project delivery

In-demand technical skills in IT and technology

.NET Core, TypeScript (Angular/React/Vue), Node.js

Power BI, LLM Integration, Data Science, MLOps

ERP - Netsuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP S/4HANA

Azure, AWS, VMware, Microsoft Stack

PowerShell, Python, Ansible, Puppet, Docker and Kubernetes

IaC, SCM, CI/CD, Test Automation

How much should I earn or pay?

In-demand soft skills in IT and technology

Logical problem-solving skills

Innovative thinking skills

Business partnering/stakeholder management skills

Communication/influencing skills

Top industries hiring for IT and technology specialists

Insurance

Healthcare

Professional services

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The salaries listed in the Salary Guide from Robert Half are the result of a rigorous, multistep process to ensure our projections accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has matched with employers across New Zealand.

The salaries listed in the salary tables represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits or KiwiSaver. We report salaries in three percentiles, recognising that professionals join companies at varied experience levels.

The non-salary data presented in this Salary Guide is derived from an online survey conducted by an independent research firm commissioned by Robert Half in November 2024. The survey gathered responses from 500 finance, accounting, and IT and technology professionals employed by a diverse range of organisations in New Zealand, including SMEs and large private, publicly-listed and public sector companies.