Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

HVAC Technician vs Plumber salary

In New Zealand, a plumber earns about 8% more than a hvac technician $71,394 vs $66,213 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

Skilled Trades
HVAC Technician
$66,213/yr
Monthly
$5,527
Hourly
$32
Range
$47,155$89,531
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Skilled Trades
Plumber
$71,394/yr
Monthly
$5,930
Hourly
$35
Range
$48,882$98,858
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileHVAC TechnicianPlumber
Entry (10th)$47,155$48,882
25th$56,655$60,167
Median$66,213$71,394
75th$77,843$85,155
Senior (90th)$89,531$98,858

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

More Skilled Trades comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a hvac technician or plumber earn more in New Zealand?
A plumber earns more, at about $124,000 per year vs $115,000 for a hvac technician — roughly 8% ($9,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A hvac technician typically earns $81,900–$155,500, while a plumber earns $84,900–$171,700 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
On a monthly basis before tax, a hvac technician averages about $9,600 and a plumber about $10,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a hvac technician earns about $81,900 while a plumber earns about $84,900 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a hvac technician earns about $155,500 while a plumber earns about $171,700 per year.
Are hvac technician and plumber 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.