[New Zealand] The sectors barely paying above minimum wage

In New Zealand, around a dozen sectors pay an annual median wage of at least $100,000. However, new research shows that there are almost as many paying barely more than the minimum wage, RNZ reports.

Data compiled by Infometrics revealed the median and mean salaries across industries throughout the country. The data does not adjust for hours worked, and some of the workers may not be working a 40-hour week.

It reportedly shows that, on an annual basis, many sectors were failing to deliver incomes equal to the minimum wage. The minimum wage of $23.50 an hour works out to just under $49,000 a year for a full-time, 40-hour work week. 

Infometrics found that fuel retailing was paying a median of almost the same amount. Food retailing paid less, at $45,030 and accommodation slightly more, at $49,240. The food and beverage services sector was revealed to be paying significantly less at $40,170.

Within $10,000 of minimum wage were "other store-based retailing" at $53,220, sport and recreation services at $53,350 and personal and other services at $54,170.

In 2024, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment data showed that about 141,900 people would be directly affected by the minimum wage rising to $23.50, suggesting they were at that point being paid under that amount per hour.

Source: RNZ

In New Zealand, around a dozen sectors pay an annual median wage of at least $100,000. However, new research shows that there are almost as many paying barely more than the minimum wage, RNZ reports.

Data compiled by Infometrics revealed the median and mean salaries across industries throughout the country. The data does not adjust for hours worked, and some of the workers may not be working a 40-hour week.

It reportedly shows that, on an annual basis, many sectors were failing to deliver incomes equal to the minimum wage. The minimum wage of $23.50 an hour works out to just under $49,000 a year for a full-time, 40-hour work week. 

Infometrics found that fuel retailing was paying a median of almost the same amount. Food retailing paid less, at $45,030 and accommodation slightly more, at $49,240. The food and beverage services sector was revealed to be paying significantly less at $40,170.

Within $10,000 of minimum wage were "other store-based retailing" at $53,220, sport and recreation services at $53,350 and personal and other services at $54,170.

In 2024, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment data showed that about 141,900 people would be directly affected by the minimum wage rising to $23.50, suggesting they were at that point being paid under that amount per hour.

Source: RNZ