The most current NZ teacher salary ranges vary by role (primary vs secondary), experience, and the applicable pay scales or collective agreements. Here are the key takeaways to give you a clear picture of what teachers in New Zealand typically earn in 2025: Direct answer

• Primary teachers: Starting salaries commonly fall in the low to mid $50,000s NZD per year, with progression to higher ranges as experience and qualifications accumulate. Typical mid-career salaries often land around the $70,000s to $90,000s, depending on qualifications and any additional allowances.
• Secondary teachers: Base salaries generally start higher than primary teachers due to different qualification requirements, with mid-range figures commonly in the $80,000s to $100,000s. At more senior points on the pay scale (including management roles or additional responsibilities), earnings can exceed $100,000 NZD per year.
• Overall context: In addition to base pay, many teachers receive management units, middle or senior management allowances, or other supplements for leadership responsibilities, which can push annual earnings higher than the base scale. The exact figures depend on the collective agreements in effect for the school and the teacher’s step on the pay scale.

Key nuances to consider

• Pay scale structure: NZ teachers are typically paid on a stepped scale (1 to 10 or similar) based on qualifications and experience, with increments each year or after meeting service/performance criteria.
• New minimums and adjustments: Annual wage updates, step movements, and any changes mandated by government settlements can shift the lower and upper ends of the scale.
• Regional variations: Some roles or allowances may differ slightly by region or school size, though the pay bands are generally standardized nationally.

What to check for precise figures

• The current collective agreements for primary and secondary teachers, which specify step values and any management or leadership allowances.
• Your specific role (primary vs secondary), years of service, teaching qualifications (e.g., bachelor’s vs master’s), and any added responsibilities (e.g., deputy principal duties, head of department).
• Any recent government pay offers or announcements affecting starting salaries or progression steps.

If you’d like, I can pull the latest, country-wide official pay scales and summarize the exact step-by-step salary figures for both primary and secondary teaching as of 2025, with precise dollar amounts and example career trajectories.