Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Chef vs HVAC Technician salary

In New Zealand, a chef earns about 11% more than a hvac technician $73,697 vs $66,213 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
Skilled Trades
Chef
$73,697/yr
Monthly
$6,161
Hourly
$36
Range
$47,155$106,113
10-yr outlook
+5%
Skilled Trades
HVAC Technician
$66,213/yr
Monthly
$5,527
Hourly
$32
Range
$47,155$89,531
10-yr outlook
+9%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileChefHVAC Technician
Entry (10th)$47,155$47,155
25th$60,455$56,655
Median$73,697$66,213
75th$89,934$77,843
Senior (90th)$106,113$89,531

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

More Skilled Trades comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a chef or hvac technician earn more in New Zealand?
A chef earns more, at about $128,000 per year vs $115,000 for a hvac technician — roughly 11% ($13,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A chef typically earns $81,900–$184,300, while a hvac technician earns $81,900–$155,500 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
On a monthly basis before tax, a chef averages about $10,700 and a hvac technician about $9,600.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a chef earns about $81,900 while a hvac technician earns about $81,900 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a chef earns about $184,300 while a hvac technician earns about $155,500 per year.
Are chef and hvac technician similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Skilled Trades 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.