Overall, we’re seeing a more upbeat business mood for 2026.
As we write this year’s summary and introduce our salary data on the cusp of 2026, we do so with a sense of cautious optimism about what lies ahead. A review of several key economic indicators (outlined below), alongside generally positive sentiment from the business community both locally and nationally, suggests there is genuine cause for confidence as we move into the new year. Read full report here:
View Full Report

Receptionist

LowHigh
Entry Level$55,000$58,000
Experienced$60,000$68,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$61,500
Salary Inflation YoY
5%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$45.60+GST

Office Administrator

LowHigh
Entry Level$55,000$60,000
Experienced$60,000$75,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$65,000
Salary Inflation YoY
5%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$48.20+GST

Sales Administrator

LowHigh
Entry Level$55,000$62,000
Experienced$62,000$80,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$67,500
Salary Inflation YoY
4%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$50.00+GST

Customer Service

LowHigh
Entry Level$50,000$55,000
Experienced$55,000$68,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$59,000
Salary Inflation YoY
-3%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$43.70+GST

Data Analyst

LowHigh
Entry Level$78,000$85,000
Experienced$80,000$100,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$89,000
Salary Inflation YoY
-3%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$66.00+GST

Legal Secretary

LowHigh
Entry Level$62,000$68,000
Experienced$75,000$90,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$76,000
Salary Inflation YoY
1%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$56.40+GST

Office Manager

LowHigh
Entry Level$62,500$68,000
Experienced$70,000$90,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$76,250
Salary Inflation YoY
2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$56.50+GST

EA/PA

LowHigh
Entry Level$65,000$72,000
Experienced$80,000$100,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$82,500
Salary Inflation YoY
-2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$61.10+GST

IT Help Desk

LowHigh
Entry Level$60,000$70,000
Experienced$70,000$100,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$80,000
Salary Inflation YoY
7%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$59.30+GST

H&S

LowHigh
Entry Level$62,500$78,000
Experienced$85,000$140,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$101,250
Salary Inflation YoY
13%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$75.10+GST

Insurance/Mortgage Support

LowHigh
Entry Level$65,000$70,000
Experienced$70,000$85,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$75,000
Salary Inflation YoY
4%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$55.60+GST

Sales and Business Development

LowHigh
Entry Level$65,000$70,000
Experienced$75,000$140,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$102,500
Salary Inflation YoY
24%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$76.00+GST

Marketing Coordinator

LowHigh
Entry Level$60,000$70,000
Experienced$85,000$120,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$90,000
Salary Inflation YoY
13%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$66.60+GST

Import/Export Officer

LowHigh
Entry Level$60,000$68,000
Experienced$70,000$85,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$72,500
Salary Inflation YoY
0%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$53.70+GST

Logistics Scheduler

LowHigh
Entry Level$60,000$70,000
Experienced$70,000$92,500
Avg Yearly Salary
$76,250
Salary Inflation YoY
6%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$56.52+GST

Warehouse Manager

LowHigh
Experienced$90,000$125,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$107,500
Salary Inflation YoY
2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$79.70+GST

Purchasing Officer

LowHigh
Entry Level$58,000$65,000
Experienced$70,000$90,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$74,000
Salary Inflation YoY
2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$54.90+GST

Production Manager

LowHigh
Entry Level$85,000$90,000
Experienced$95,000$115,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$100,000
Salary Inflation YoY
0%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$74.10+GST

Operations Manager

LowHigh
Entry Level$95,000$110,000
Experienced$120,000$140,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$117,500
Salary Inflation YoY
-6%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$87.10+GST

Inventory & Supply Chain Administrator

LowHigh
Entry Level$58,000$65,000
Experienced$70,000$80,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$69,000
Salary Inflation YoY
2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$51.20+GST

Accounts Assistant

LowHigh
Entry Level$55,000$60,000
Experienced$60,000$75,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$65,000
Salary Inflation YoY
0%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$48.20+GST

Accounts Payable

LowHigh
Entry Level$55,000$60,000
Experienced$65,000$80,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$67,500
Salary Inflation YoY
4%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$50.00+GST

Accounts Receivable/Credit Control

LowHigh
Entry Level$52,000$60,000
Experienced$60,000$75,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$63,500
Salary Inflation YoY
-2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$57.10+GST

Payroll

LowHigh
Entry Level$58,000$65,000
Experienced$75,000$100,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$79,000
Salary Inflation YoY
3%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$58.60+GST

Assistant Accountant

LowHigh
Entry Level$70,000$75,000
Experienced$80,000$92,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$81,000
Salary Inflation YoY
5%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$60.10+GST

Recently Qualified Accountant

LowHigh
Entry Level$82,500$85,000
Experienced$85,000$100,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$91,250
Salary Inflation YoY
4%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$67.65+GST

Financial Accountant

LowHigh
Entry Level$90,000$95,000
Experienced$95,000$125,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$107,500
Salary Inflation YoY
2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$79.70+GST

Management Accountant

LowHigh
Entry Level$90,000$95,000
Experienced$95,000$125,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$107,500
Salary Inflation YoY
2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$79.70+GST

Group Accountant

LowHigh
Entry Level$100,000$110,000
Experienced$110,000$135,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$117,500
Salary Inflation YoY
2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$87.10+GST

Systems Accountant

LowHigh
Entry Level$95,000$100,000
Experienced$100,000$140,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$117,500
Salary Inflation YoY
7%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$87.10+GST

Commercial/Financial Analyst

LowHigh
Entry Level$85,000$95,000
Experienced$100,000$150,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$117,500
Salary Inflation YoY
2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$87.10+GST

Finance Business Partner

LowHigh
Entry Level$100,000$110,000
Experienced$110,000$150,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$125,000
Salary Inflation YoY
0%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$92.70+GST

Finance Manager

LowHigh
Entry Level$110,000$125,000
Experienced$120,000$160,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$135,000
Salary Inflation YoY
2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$100.10+GST

Financial Controller

LowHigh
Entry Level$150,000$160,000
Experienced$170,000$200,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$175,000
Salary Inflation YoY
8%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$129.70+GST

Commercial Manager

LowHigh
Entry Level$150,000$170,000
Experienced$170,000$220,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$185,000
Salary Inflation YoY
-2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$137.20+GST

Chief Financial Officer

LowHigh
Entry Level$200,000$250,000
Experienced$250,000$400,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$265,000
Salary Inflation YoY
6%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$196.50+GST

General Manager

LowHigh
Entry Level$120,000$150,000
Experienced$150,000$250,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$185,000
Salary Inflation YoY
3%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$137.20+GST

GM Human Resources

LowHigh
Entry Level$150,000$170,000
Experienced$170,000$200,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$168,000
Salary Inflation YoY
-2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$124.60+GST

HR Coordinator

LowHigh
Entry Level$65,000$70,000
Experienced$72,000$80,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$72,500
Salary Inflation YoY
1%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$53.70+GST

HR Advisor

LowHigh
Entry Level$80,000$90,000
Experienced$90,000$105,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$92,500
Salary Inflation YoY
3%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$68.60+GST

HR Manager

LowHigh
Entry Level$110,000$130,000
Experienced$130,000$160,000
Avg Yearly Salary
$135,000
Salary Inflation YoY
2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$100.10+GST

Logistics & Supply Chain

Logistics Manager

Entry Level Salary
$85,000
Experienced Salary
$115,000

High demand for experienced personnel managing export compliance and container logistics.

Logistics Coordinator

Entry Level Salary
$70,000
Experienced Salary
$82,000

Entry-to-intermediate level. Requires inventory management and dispatch coordination tracking.

Inventory / Stock Controller

Entry Level Salary
$63,000
Experienced Salary
$75,000

Critical role for seasonal supply matching; closely tied to cold storage and winery supply chains.

Operations & Warehousing

Operations Manager

Entry Level Salary
$85,000
Experienced Salary
$125,000

Varies significantly based on the scale of the facility (e.g. processing plants vs. standard hubs).

Warehouse Manager

Entry Level Salary
$72,000
Experienced Salary
$95,000

Oversight of safety protocols, shift scheduling, and WMS (Warehouse Management Systems).

Forklift Operator / Storeperson

Entry Level Salary
$62,000
Experienced Salary
$72,000

Certified F-endorsement drivers hold a strong bargaining position due to acute localized shortages. (Approx. $29.80–$34.60/hr)

Skilled Trades

Heavy Diesel Mechanic

Entry Level Salary
$80,000
Experienced Salary
$105,000

Essential for forestry haulage and marine support. Routinely commands high overtime premiums.

Industrial Electrician

Entry Level Salary
$85,000
Experienced Salary
$110,000

Highly localized demand to support automated processing facilities in Richmond, Nelson, and Blenheim.

Fitter & Welder / Fabricator

Entry Level Salary
$75,000
Experienced Salary
$95,000

Steady baseline demand across structural marine and vineyard equipment fabrication.

Engineering & Technical Project Management

Senior Engineering Project Manager

Entry Level Salary
$120,000
Experienced Salary
$145,000

Requires extensive capital expenditure (CapEx) experience, contract management (NZS 3910), and multi-million dollar budget oversight.

Engineering Project Manager

Entry Level Salary
$95,000
Experienced Salary
$120,000

Mid-to-senior tier. Focuses on execution, cross-functional team leadership, 3D prototyping/design verification, and operational commissioning.

Sustainability / ESG Project Engineer

Entry Level Salary
$90,000
Experienced Salary
$115,000

Emerging high-demand role. Driven by strict climate compliance, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tracking, and supply chain decarbonization.

Industrial Leadership & Production Supervisory

Production Supervisor / Shift Team Leader

Entry Level Salary
$75,000
Experienced Salary
$92,000

Manages floor teams, shift handovers, and throughput KPIs. High demand in aquaculture processing and automated lines.

Sawmill Supervisor / Yard Manager

Entry Level Salary
$78,000
Experienced Salary
$95,000

Highly relevant to the Nelson forestry sector. Requires deep knowledge of timber grading, machinery safety, and log yard logistics.

Site / Operations Coordinator

Entry Level Salary
$70,000
Experienced Salary
$85,000

The operational link between trades and admin. Coordinates daily dispatch, equipment hire, and client health & safety paperwork.

Maintenance, Quality & Technical Leadership

Maintenance Supervisor / Planner

Entry Level Salary
$85,000
Experienced Salary
$105,000

Coordinates preventative maintenance (PM) schedules for heavy machinery or processing plants. Manages internal trades and vendor contracts.

Quality Assurance (QA) Supervisor

Entry Level Salary
$75,000
Experienced Salary
$90,000

Non-negotiable for food and export sectors. Oversees HACCP plans, MPI compliance, and audit readiness.

HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) Advisor

Entry Level Salary
$80,000
Experienced Salary
$98,000

Mid-tier risk management specialist. High demand due to the physically demanding environments of forestry, marine fabrication, and factories.

Salary data sourced from Search Recruitment's 2026 Annual Salary Guide, based on recent local placements across Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman. Figures are a guide only and reflect base salary, excluding bonuses or additional package components. Industrial figures reflect entry level and experienced base salary only (no low/high range, inflation trend, or temp rate published for this category).