AI Engineer vs Systems Administrator salary
In New Zealand, a ai engineer earns about 39% more than a systems administrator — $123,213 vs $88,667 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
Systems Administrator$88,667/yr
- Monthly
- $7,370
- Hourly
- $43
- Range
- $61,549–$121,831
- 10-yr outlook
- +4%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | AI Engineer | Systems Administrator |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $73,294 | $61,549 |
| 25th | $98,283 | $75,079 |
| Median | $123,213 | $88,667 |
| 75th | $153,728 | $105,249 |
| Senior (90th) | $184,186 | $121,831 |
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 systems administrator earn more in New Zealand?
- A ai engineer earns more, at about $214,000 per year vs $154,000 for a systems administrator — roughly 39% ($60,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
- A ai engineer typically earns $127,300–$319,900, while a systems administrator earns $106,900–$211,600 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 systems administrator about $12,800.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a ai engineer earns about $127,300 while a systems administrator earns about $106,900 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a ai engineer earns about $319,900 while a systems administrator earns about $211,600 per year.
- Are ai engineer and systems 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.