Civil Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer salary
In New Zealand, a civil engineer earns about 3% more than a mechanical engineer — $114,577 vs $111,698 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
Civil Engineer$114,577/yr
- Monthly
- $9,558
- Hourly
- $55
- Range
- $78,476–$158,680
- 10-yr outlook
- +8%
Engineering
Mechanical Engineer$111,698/yr
- Monthly
- $9,327
- Hourly
- $54
- Range
- $76,519–$154,707
- 10-yr outlook
- +10%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Civil Engineer | Mechanical Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $78,476 | $76,519 |
| 25th | $96,555 | $94,079 |
| Median | $114,577 | $111,698 |
| 75th | $136,628 | $133,174 |
| Senior (90th) | $158,680 | $154,707 |
National New Zealand figures in NZD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Engineering comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a civil engineer or mechanical engineer earn more in New Zealand?
- A civil engineer earns more, at about $199,000 per year vs $194,000 for a mechanical engineer — roughly 3% ($5,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
- A civil engineer typically earns $136,300–$275,600, while a mechanical engineer earns $132,900–$268,700 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a civil engineer averages about $16,600 and a mechanical engineer about $16,200.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a civil engineer earns about $136,300 while a mechanical engineer earns about $132,900 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a civil engineer earns about $275,600 while a mechanical engineer earns about $268,700 per year.
- Are civil engineer and mechanical 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.