Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Chemical Engineer vs Civil Engineer salary

In New Zealand, a chemical engineer and a civil engineer earn about the same — $114,577 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

Engineering
Chemical Engineer
$114,577/yr
Monthly
$9,558
Hourly
$55
Range
$77,440$159,947
10-yr outlook
+10%
Engineering
Civil Engineer
$114,577/yr
Monthly
$9,558
Hourly
$55
Range
$78,476$158,680
10-yr outlook
+8%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileChemical EngineerCivil Engineer
Entry (10th)$77,440$78,476
25th$96,037$96,555
Median$114,577$114,577
75th$137,262$136,628
Senior (90th)$159,947$158,680

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

More Engineering comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a chemical engineer or civil engineer earn more in New Zealand?
A chemical engineer and a civil engineer earn roughly the same in New Zealand, around $199,000 per year.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A chemical engineer typically earns $134,500–$277,800, while a civil engineer earns $136,300–$275,600 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
On a monthly basis before tax, a chemical engineer averages about $16,600 and a civil engineer about $16,600.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a chemical engineer earns about $134,500 while a civil engineer earns about $136,300 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a chemical engineer earns about $277,800 while a civil engineer earns about $275,600 per year.
Are chemical engineer and civil engineer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Engineering 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.