Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Accountant vs Actuary salary

In New Zealand, a actuary earns about 56% more than a accountant $145,668 vs $93,273 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is NZD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Finance & Business
Accountant
$93,273/yr
Monthly
$7,773
Hourly
$45
Range
$63,910$129,201
10-yr outlook
+4%
Pays more
Finance & Business
Actuary
$145,668/yr
Monthly
$12,149
Hourly
$70
Range
$95,864$206,583
10-yr outlook
+22%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileAccountantActuary
Entry (10th)$63,910$95,864
25th$78,591$120,737
Median$93,273$145,668
75th$111,237$176,125
Senior (90th)$129,201$206,583

National New Zealand figures in NZD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Finance & Business comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a accountant or actuary earn more in New Zealand?
A actuary earns more, at about $253,000 per year vs $162,000 for a accountant — roughly 56% ($91,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A accountant typically earns $111,000–$224,400, while a actuary earns $166,500–$358,800 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
On a monthly basis before tax, a accountant averages about $13,500 and a actuary about $21,100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a accountant earns about $111,000 while a actuary earns about $166,500 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a accountant earns about $224,400 while a actuary earns about $358,800 per year.
Are accountant and actuary similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Finance & Business category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.