Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Chemical Engineer vs Industrial Engineer salary

In New Zealand, a chemical engineer earns about 12% more than a industrial engineer $114,577 vs $101,910 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
Engineering
Chemical Engineer
$114,577/yr
Monthly
$9,558
Hourly
$55
Range
$77,440$159,947
10-yr outlook
+10%
Engineering
Industrial Engineer
$101,910/yr
Monthly
$8,521
Hourly
$49
Range
$70,704$140,025
10-yr outlook
+12%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileChemical EngineerIndustrial Engineer
Entry (10th)$77,440$70,704
25th$96,037$86,307
Median$114,577$101,910
75th$137,262$120,968
Senior (90th)$159,947$140,025

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 industrial engineer earn more in New Zealand?
A chemical engineer earns more, at about $199,000 per year vs $177,000 for a industrial engineer — roughly 12% ($22,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A chemical engineer typically earns $134,500–$277,800, while a industrial engineer earns $122,800–$243,200 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 industrial engineer about $14,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a chemical engineer earns about $134,500 while a industrial engineer earns about $122,800 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a chemical engineer earns about $277,800 while a industrial engineer earns about $243,200 per year.
Are chemical engineer and industrial 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.