Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

AI Engineer vs Network Engineer salary

In New Zealand, a ai engineer earns about 18% more than a network engineer $123,213 vs $104,213 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
Network Engineer
$104,213/yr
Monthly
$8,694
Hourly
$50
Range
$70,473$145,495
10-yr outlook
+5%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileAI EngineerNetwork Engineer
Entry (10th)$73,294$70,473
25th$98,283$87,343
Median$123,213$104,213
75th$153,728$124,825
Senior (90th)$184,186$145,495

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 network engineer earn more in New Zealand?
A ai engineer earns more, at about $214,000 per year vs $181,000 for a network engineer — roughly 18% ($33,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A ai engineer typically earns $127,300–$319,900, while a network engineer earns $122,400–$252,700 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 network engineer about $15,100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a ai engineer earns about $127,300 while a network engineer earns about $122,400 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a ai engineer earns about $319,900 while a network engineer earns about $252,700 per year.
Are ai engineer and network engineer 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.