Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Chef vs Welder salary

In New Zealand, a chef earns about 29% more than a welder $73,697 vs $57,231 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
Welder
$57,231/yr
Monthly
$4,779
Hourly
$28
Range
$40,764$77,382
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileChefWelder
Entry (10th)$47,155$40,764
25th$60,455$48,997
Median$73,697$57,231
75th$89,934$67,307
Senior (90th)$106,113$77,382

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 welder earn more in New Zealand?
A chef earns more, at about $128,000 per year vs $99,400 for a welder — roughly 29% ($28,600) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A chef typically earns $81,900–$184,300, while a welder earns $70,800–$134,400 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 welder about $8,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a chef earns about $81,900 while a welder earns about $70,800 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a chef earns about $184,300 while a welder earns about $134,400 per year.
Are chef and welder 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.