Automotive job listings rose 14% year-on-year in the final quarter of 2025, bucking a broader market slowdown that saw nationwide listings fall sharply heading into summer.
Trade Me Jobs data shows overall listing volumes dropped 19% in the October–December period compared with the previous quarter, while listings were down 3% year-on-year.
Against that backdrop, automotive was one of only three sectors to record annual growth, alongside agriculture, fishing and forestry (+15%) and construction and roading (+8%).
Automotive sector average advertised pay was $78,761, up 0.4% year-on-year and up 1% quarter-on-quarter.
By comparison, the transport and logistics sector recorded an average pay of $68,152, up 2.1% year-on-year and unchanged quarter-on-quarter.
Trade Me head of jobs Nicole Williams says the sharp quarterly decline in listings across the broader market reflects a seasonal slowdown.
“While the marginal recovery we noted in spring was encouraging, this year-on-year listings dip of 3% reminds us that the market remains in a period of cautious adjustment,” Williams says.
The annual decline in listings was seen across nearly all industries. Healthcare (-13%), manufacturing and operations (-18%), and retail (-15%) were the largest contributors to the national fall.
“Despite healthcare listings and applications per listing falling this quarter, it remains one of our most in-demand categories. Caregiving and nursing roles are especially sought after,” Williams says.
Regionally, Taranaki (-10%) and Hawke’s Bay (-18%) recorded the steepest year-on-year declines in listings. In contrast, Nelson/Tasman (+15%) and Southland (+22%) were the only regions to post annual growth.
Competition for roles also eased. Applications per listing were down 9% both quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year.
Demand softened in the major centres, with applications per listing down 16% in Hamilton, 13% in Auckland and about 12% in both Christchurch and Dunedin compared with the same period a year earlier. Wellington was the exception, with applications per listing up 2%.
“After competition reached record-highs earlier in the year, we are finally seeing some of that pressure ease for Kiwi job seekers,” Williams says.
The national average advertised salary was $72,820, up just 0.3% year-on-year — well below the 3.1% inflation rate.
“Advertised salaries remained reasonably stable across the country, though regions like Marlborough (+5%) and Nelson/Tasman (+4%) saw more significant movement,” Williams says.
In construction and roading, average salaries fell 2%, driven by lower pay for office-based and management roles, while frontline positions such as labourers and machine operators saw slight increases.
“Even with a quieter listing environment, employers are still prepared to pay a premium for the right talent, particularly in specialised fields. We’ve seen record-high average salaries this quarter in sectors like healthcare, accounting, and trades and services.
“However, with the national average salary growth currently sitting at just 0.3%, many Kiwi will be feeling the pinch as wage increases trail behind the 3.1% inflation rate.”
