Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

AI Engineer vs Database Administrator salary

In New Zealand, a ai engineer earns about 12% more than a database administrator $123,213 vs $109,970 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

Pays more
Technology
AI Engineer
$123,213/yr
Monthly
$10,249
Hourly
$59
Range
$73,294$184,186
10-yr outlook
+40%
Technology
Database Administrator
$109,970/yr
Monthly
$9,155
Hourly
$53
Range
$74,331$153,498
10-yr outlook
+9%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileAI EngineerDatabase Administrator
Entry (10th)$73,294$74,331
25th$98,283$92,179
Median$123,213$109,970
75th$153,728$131,734
Senior (90th)$184,186$153,498

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

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a ai engineer or database administrator earn more in New Zealand?
A ai engineer earns more, at about $214,000 per year vs $191,000 for a database administrator — roughly 12% ($23,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A ai engineer typically earns $127,300–$319,900, while a database administrator earns $129,100–$266,600 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
On a monthly basis before tax, a ai engineer averages about $17,800 and a database administrator about $15,900.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a ai engineer earns about $127,300 while a database administrator earns about $129,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a ai engineer earns about $319,900 while a database administrator earns about $266,600 per year.
Are ai engineer and database administrator similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Technology 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.