Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Data Engineer vs QA Engineer salary

In New Zealand, a data engineer earns about 38% more than a qa engineer $137,031 vs $99,607 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
Technology
Data Engineer
$137,031/yr
Monthly
$11,400
Hourly
$66
Range
$87,688$197,313
10-yr outlook
+30%
Technology
QA Engineer
$99,607/yr
Monthly
$8,291
Hourly
$48
Range
$67,307$139,046
10-yr outlook
+20%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileData EngineerQA Engineer
Entry (10th)$87,688$67,307
25th$112,389$83,485
Median$137,031$99,607
75th$167,201$119,355
Senior (90th)$197,313$139,046

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

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a data engineer or qa engineer earn more in New Zealand?
A data engineer earns more, at about $238,000 per year vs $173,000 for a qa engineer — roughly 38% ($65,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A data engineer typically earns $152,300–$342,700, while a qa engineer earns $116,900–$241,500 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about $19,800 and a qa engineer about $14,400.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a data engineer earns about $152,300 while a qa engineer earns about $116,900 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a data engineer earns about $342,700 while a qa engineer earns about $241,500 per year.
Are data engineer and qa engineer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Technology 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.