Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Industrial Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer salary

In New Zealand, a mechanical engineer earns about 10% more than a industrial engineer $111,698 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

Engineering
Industrial Engineer
$101,910/yr
Monthly
$8,521
Hourly
$49
Range
$70,704$140,025
10-yr outlook
+12%
Pays more
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

PercentileIndustrial EngineerMechanical Engineer
Entry (10th)$70,704$76,519
25th$86,307$94,079
Median$101,910$111,698
75th$120,968$133,174
Senior (90th)$140,025$154,707

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

More Engineering comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a industrial engineer or mechanical engineer earn more in New Zealand?
A mechanical engineer earns more, at about $194,000 per year vs $177,000 for a industrial engineer — roughly 10% ($17,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A industrial engineer typically earns $122,800–$243,200, 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 industrial engineer averages about $14,800 and a mechanical engineer about $16,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a industrial engineer earns about $122,800 while a mechanical engineer earns about $132,900 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a industrial engineer earns about $243,200 while a mechanical engineer earns about $268,700 per year.
Are industrial 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.