Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

AI Engineer vs IT Support Specialist salary

In New Zealand, a ai engineer earns about 100% more than a it support specialist $123,213 vs $61,606 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
IT Support Specialist
$61,606/yr
Monthly
$5,124
Hourly
$29
Range
$44,967$81,931
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileAI EngineerIT Support Specialist
Entry (10th)$73,294$44,967
25th$98,283$53,316
Median$123,213$61,606
75th$153,728$71,797
Senior (90th)$184,186$81,931

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 it support specialist earn more in New Zealand?
A ai engineer earns more, at about $214,000 per year vs $107,000 for a it support specialist — roughly 100% ($107,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A ai engineer typically earns $127,300–$319,900, while a it support specialist earns $78,100–$142,300 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 it support specialist about $8,900.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a ai engineer earns about $127,300 while a it support specialist earns about $78,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a ai engineer earns about $319,900 while a it support specialist earns about $142,300 per year.
Are ai engineer and it support specialist 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.