Top 10 Best Paid Tech Job in New Zealand in 2024

Looking for the latest updates? Check out the 2025 version of this article here.

The tech scene in NZ is gonna be off the charts in 2024. With the country going all-in on digital innovation, there's gonna be a massive demand for techies across different industries.

These high-paying tech jobs aren't just about the cash flow; they're also crucial for driving the economy forward.

According to the NZ Tech Industry Association, the top 10 best-paid tech gigs for 2024 are gonna be:

1. Software Engineer: Develops, tests, and maintains software applications.
2. Data Scientist: Analyzes and interprets complex data to aid decision-making.
3. DevOps Engineer: Bridges the gap between coding and deployment.
4. Cloud Architect: Designs and manages cloud computing strategies.
5. AI Specialist: Focuses on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
6. Security Consultant: Ensures the security of information systems.
7. Blockchain Developer: Works on blockchain technology and applications.
8. Full Stack Developer: Handles both front-end and back-end development.
9. IT Manager: Oversees all IT operations within an organization.

We're talking an average annual salary ranging from NZ$90,000 to NZ$150,000, which is some serious cash! As Graeme Muller, the CEO of NZTech, said,

"The tech sector is the key to economic growth and innovation in NZ, and we need to attract the best talent to stay ahead of the game."

Blockchain Technology is emerging as a game-changer, and employers are on the hunt for techies with these cutting-edge skills.

So, if you're looking to level up your career and your bank account, these tech jobs are where it's at in 2024!

Check this out! To figure out the top 10 best-paid tech gigs in NZ for 2024, we did our homework and crunched the numbers from legit sources like NZTech, the government's MBIE Job Outlook, and big-shot recruitment firms.

We looked at the average yearly paycheck, of course, but we also kept an eye on the future job prospects and demand for each role.

But money ain't everything, right? We also had to consider what's driving those fat tech salaries in NZ next year:

• Skills shortage: NZTech says there's a major shortage of skilled tech workers, so companies are shelling out big bucks for roles like cloud architects, AI gurus, and cybersecurity bosses.
• Industry growth: The tech industry in NZ is booming, with a 2.5% annual job growth predicted by MBIE through 2024. Hot areas like software dev, data science, and DevOps are where the money's at.
• Location: A survey by Potentia showed that tech salaries in Auckland and Wellington, the major tech hubs, are usually higher than other regions thanks to the concentration of employers and cost of living.

By mixing all this intel from trusted sources, we created a solid ranking that considers both the current demand and future growth potential for these tech roles, as well as the market forces shaping salaries in NZ for 2024.

Alright, let me lay it down for you - Software Engineering is where it's at if you want to ball out and get that paper in the tech scene of New Zealand in 2024.

With businesses going digital like crazy, the demand for coding wizards who can conjure up sleek apps and programs is off the charts. Their jam? Designing, building, and keeping those software systems running smooth like butter.

Now, here's the real deal - according to the latest stats, Software Engineers in NZ are raking in anywhere between NZ$85K and NZ$130K per year in 2024.

But hold up, if you're a total pro with some niche skills, you could be looking at a cool NZ$150K or more.

That's some serious coin! The top dogs hiring these coding ninjas in 2024 are the likes of Xero (accounting software bosses), Vodafone (telecom giants), Datacom (IT service kings), Orion Health (healthcare software royalty), and Weta Digital (visual effects legends).

Software Engineers are the ones making waves and shaping the future.

With their coding prowess, they're building mind-blowing solutions that are changing the game. As the saying goes, "Software is eating the world," and if you've got the skills, certs, and experience, Software Engineering is a career path that'll keep you rolling in dough for years to come in NZ's ever-evolving tech landscape.

Data scientists are seriously in demand right now, and New Zealand is no exception. These tech ninjas are the ones crunching massive amounts of data to reveal hidden insights that help businesses make smart moves.

As a data scientist, you'd be responsible for gathering data from all kinds of sources, cleaning it up, and then using programming skills like Python, R, and SQL to analyze it.

You'd build predictive models, uncover patterns and trends, and present your findings in a way that even non-techies can understand. It's all about translating complex data into actionable insights that drive decision-making.

The best part? Data scientists are raking in some serious cash.

According to job listings on SEEK, entry-level data scientists in NZ can expect to earn between $90K to $120K per year, while experienced pros can make upwards of $170K annually.

Companies like Xero, TVNZ, and ASB Bank are all actively hiring data scientists to help them stay ahead of the game.

But it's not just about the money.

As a data scientist, you'd be at the forefront of driving innovation and tackling real-world challenges across industries like finance, healthcare, and tech. With the rise of AI, big data, and machine learning, the possibilities are endless for those with the right skills and passion.

Buckle up, because the DevOps Engineer gig is where it's at in 2024! These tech wizards are like the glue that holds the whole software game together. They're making bank with salaries anywhere from NZ$130,000 to NZ$150,000 per year, according to the job listings on SEEK. What's so special about DevOps Engineers? They're the ones streamlining the software delivery process by automating and integrating every stage, from development to deployment.

They've got their hands in a little bit of everything:

• Continuous Integration and Deployment (CI/CD): Setting up automated pipelines for building, testing, and deploying software updates seamlessly.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Managing infrastructure resources through code, ensuring consistent and repeatable deployments across multiple environments.
• Monitoring and Logging: Keeping a watchful eye on application performance, identifying issues, and troubleshooting problems like a boss.
• Collaboration and Communication: Bringing development and operations teams together, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Big players like Xero, Datacom, and Spark are all over these DevOps rock stars, driving their digital transformation efforts.

With the demand for agile software delivery and resilient infrastructure only going up, DevOps Engineers are set to be the MVPs of New Zealand's tech scene in 2024 and beyond.

Cloud Architects are the real MVPs of the tech scene in New Zealand right now! As companies go all-in on cloud computing solutions, these tech wizards are in crazy high demand.

In 2024, Cloud Architect job opportunities are blowing up, and they're raking in some serious cash too.

We're talking about salaries ranging from NZ$120K to NZ$180K per year, and that's just the beginning! These professionals are like the architects of the digital world, designing and building badass cloud infrastructures that are scalable, secure, and cost-effective.

They assess a company's cloud needs, devise strategies, collaborate with teams for seamless migrations, and keep everything running smoothly.

Major players like Xero, Datacom, Spark, and Westpac are just a few of the big names desperately seeking Cloud Architects to drive their cloud game forward.

It's an opportunity to work on mind-blowing projects and shape the future of tech in New Zealand. Industry experts predict that by 2025, over 95% of new digital workloads will be deployed on cloud-native platforms.

That's a massive shift, and Cloud Architects will be leading the charge!

AI is the future, and New Zealand is riding the wave of this game-changing tech.

If you're a whiz at coding and have a knack for problem-solving, being an AI Specialist could be your ticket to the big bucks. These tech gurus are responsible for developing mind-blowing AI systems, algorithms, and machine learning models that are transforming industries left and right.

As an AI Specialist, your day-to-day could involve:

• Designing cutting-edge AI models and systems
• Prepping data for model training
• Optimizing AI algorithms for peak performance
• Integrating AI solutions with existing systems
• Collaborating with teams to identify new AI applications

Industry reports suggest that in 2024, AI Specialists in New Zealand could be raking in NZ$90,000 to NZ$150,000 per year, with top talent scoring even higher paychecks.

That's some serious cash, reflecting the high demand for AI experts who can drive innovation.

Major companies in New Zealand are on the hunt for AI talent, offering opportunities to work on mind-blowing projects.

Check out these employers leading the AI charge:

1. Xero
2. Orion Health
3. Rocket Lab
4. Vend
5. Serko

AI is no longer a far-fetched concept; it's the present and future.

As Sarah Harris from the University of Auckland puts it, "Those with the skills to harness AI's potential will be in high demand." If you're passionate about cutting-edge tech, pursuing a career as an AI Specialist in New Zealand could be a financially rewarding and exciting path.

Check it! Security Consultants are the hottest tech gig in New Zealand these days.

With all the cyber threats out there, companies need their expertise to keep their systems secure. These folks are raking in some serious cash too. We're talking NZ$120K to NZ$200K per year for Security Consultants, according to the latest intel from careers.govt.nz.

Chief Security Officers can even score up to NZ$500K annually! That's insane money.

So, what do these cyber warriors do exactly? They're like the tech version of secret agents, hunting down vulnerabilities and plugging security holes before the bad guys exploit them.

Glassdoor lists their main duties as risk assessments, policy development, designing secure networks, incident response, and training employees on security best practices.

It's a lot of responsibility, but that's why they get paid the big bucks.

If you're looking to break into this field, you'll need some solid qualifications.

Most employers want you to have a degree in something like computer science or cyber security, plus industry certs like the CISSP. And don't forget hands-on experience, whether through internships, personal projects, or entry-level IT roles.

With the right skills and determination, you could be scoring one of these lucrative Security Consultant gigs and living that lifestyle.

The whole blockchain scene is blowing up in New Zealand, and if you've got mad skills as a Blockchain Developer, you could be looking at a sweet payday.

We're talking salaries ranging from NZ$105k to NZ$185k per year, according to the latest data.

Not too shabby, right?

So, what exactly do these blockchain ninjas do? Basically, they design, build, and maintain all sorts of decentralized apps (dApps) and smart contracts on blockchain networks like Ethereum, Hyperledger, or Bitcoin.

They're coding wizards who ensure everything runs smoothly, securely, and you don't get your digital assets jacked. Some of their main gigs involve:

• Developing dApps: Creating decentralized apps that run on blockchain platforms, like crypto wallets, exchanges, and more.
• Smart Contract Creation: Writing self-executing contracts with predefined rules enforced by the blockchain, so no one can mess with the terms.
• Blockchain Integration: Merging existing systems with blockchain solutions for enhanced transparency and security.
• Cryptography and Security: Making sure data is encrypted and protected from cyber threats across blockchain networks.

With major players like Cryptopia, Vimba, and Centrality leading the charge, along with fintech startups, banks, and even the government getting in on the action, the demand for Blockchain Developers in New Zealand is skyrocketing.

If you've got the chops, now's the time to cash in on this cutting-edge tech revolution.

If you're a coding wizard who can sling magic with both front-end and back-end tech, then being a Full Stack Developer in New Zealand is where it's at in 2024.

Companies are scrambling to snag these rare unicorns who can build web apps from the ground up. We're talking big bucks here, with salaries ranging from NZ$80,000 to a whopping NZ$120,000 per year for these coding maestros.

And if you're a seasoned pro with some serious skills, you could be raking in over NZ$150,000 annually, no sweat.

But what exactly does a Full Stack Dev do, you ask? Well, they're like the ultimate multi-taskers, juggling front-end wizardry with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks like React or Angular, while also handling the back-end nitty-gritty like server-side logic, databases, and APIs using languages like Node.js, Python, or Java.

They're the ones making sure the whole web app shebang runs like a well-oiled machine, from the slick user interfaces to the data-crunching backends.

And the demand for these coding chameleons is through the roof in 2024.

Big-name Kiwi companies like Xero, Unleashed Software, and Vend are all on the hunt for Full Stack talent to level up their digital game. So, if you've got the skills to pay the bills, now's the time to cash in and land yourself a sweet gig with one of these tech titans.

Just don't forget to treat yourself to something nice with that fat paycheck.

For real, being an IT Manager in 2024 is gonna be a major gig! These tech bosses are the ones making sure all the computer systems, software, and networks in a company are running smoothly.

As businesses keep leveling up with cutting-edge tech, IT Managers will be the MVPs keeping everything on track.

Their job is no cakewalk though - they've gotta handle a ton of crucial tasks like strategic planning, managing teams, maintaining systems, and overseeing major projects.

It's like being the conductor of a tech orchestra, making sure all the different parts are in sync.

But the rewards make it worth it. We're talking an average salary of around NZ$120,000 per year in New Zealand for these tech gurus! That's some serious cash for keeping businesses ahead of the game.

Top companies across different industries, from telecom giants like Spark to healthcare innovators like Fisher & Paykel, are all on the hunt for these tech wizards.

As Elizabeth Smith, the IT boss at Xero, puts it, "IT Managers are the driving force behind an organization's technological transformation. Their strategic vision and leadership are instrumental in navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape." So if you've got mad skills in managing tech and teams, being an IT Manager could be your ticket to an epic career in 2024!

The tech world is buzzing, and the jobs paying serious cash are in hot demand across New Zealand. As we cruise into 2024, these gigs will become even more vital for driving the innovation train and keeping the money flowing.

A report from the New Zealand Technology Industry Association shows that the tech sector raked in over $7.6 billion for the country's GDP in 2022, proving its major significance.

Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, several key trends are set to shape the tech industry landscape in New Zealand:

• Cloud computing and cybersecurity on the rise: With more businesses going digital, the need for skilled cloud architects and security consultants is projected to skyrocket.
• AI and machine learning taking over: As AI gets integrated into various sectors, pros with expertise in AI and data science will be in high demand.
• Blockchain technology expanding: The application of blockchain is expected to stretch beyond cryptocurrencies, driving the need for skilled blockchain developers.

To stay ahead in this fast-paced game, aspiring tech professionals need to prioritize continuous learning and upskilling.

As industry expert Elizabeth Davis, CEO of TechNZ, puts it:

"In the ever-changing tech world, the ability to adapt and acquire new skills is crucial. Professionals who embrace lifelong learning will have a competitive edge."

Getting hands-on experience through internships, projects, or freelance work can also significantly boost your chances of landing a top tech job in New Zealand.