A remuneration survey carried out by the Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IEPNZ) says demand from the boom in IT, infrastructure and construction are driving up salaries for its members.
Engineers take home an average of nearly $100,000 a year, and their salaries are growing strongly, according to the annual IPENZ remuneration survey.
Engineers’ median base salary rose by 6.3 % in the year to October 2016. According to Statistics New Zealand, average wage inflation in the year to June 2016 was 1.5%.
The engineers’ median base salary is $92,500, with another $5500 on top of that in a bonus or other payments.
The survey reveals that in the very first year of their career, engineers earn an average of $55,000 plus another $2000 in cash benefits.
IPENZ boss Susan Freeman-Greene says engineers’ strong salary growth reflects demand for all types of engineers in every part of New Zealand.
“New Zealand desperately needs more engineers. With tremendous growth and expanding the range of opportunities, it’s an exciting time,” she says.
More than 3200 IPENZ members completed the remuneration survey, which was sponsored by RobLawMax Recruitment.
More than 65% of engineers surveyed also received non-cash benefits. The most common benefit was health insurance (32%), followed by a car park (19%) and a car (18%).
According to the survey, more engineers live in Auckland than anywhere else, with 38% based there. Canterbury is the next biggest engineering centre, with nearly twice as many engineers as Wellington.
