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:
Receptionist
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| Experienced | $90,000 | $125,000 |
Avg Yearly Salary
$107,500
Salary Inflation YoY
2%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$79.70+GST
Purchasing Officer
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $65,000 | $70,000 |
| Experienced | $72,000 | $80,000 |
Avg Yearly Salary
$172,500*
Salary Inflation YoY
1%
Avg Temp Hourly Rate
$53.70+GST
HR Advisor
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
*This figure is shown as printed in the source salary guide; it appears inconsistent with the Entry/Experienced ranges above it and may be a typo in the original document — worth confirming with Tania before publishing.
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.