Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Network Engineer vs Software Engineer salary

In New Zealand, a software engineer earns about 13% more than a network engineer $117,455 vs $104,213 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

Technology
Network Engineer
$104,213/yr
Monthly
$8,694
Hourly
$50
Range
$70,473$145,495
10-yr outlook
+5%
Pays more
Technology
Software Engineer
$117,455/yr
Monthly
$9,788
Hourly
$56
Range
$75,194$169,159
10-yr outlook
+17%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileNetwork EngineerSoftware Engineer
Entry (10th)$70,473$75,194
25th$87,343$96,325
Median$104,213$117,455
75th$124,825$143,307
Senior (90th)$145,495$169,159

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

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a network engineer or software engineer earn more in New Zealand?
A software engineer earns more, at about $204,000 per year vs $181,000 for a network engineer — roughly 13% ($23,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A network engineer typically earns $122,400–$252,700, while a software engineer earns $130,600–$293,800 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
On a monthly basis before tax, a network engineer averages about $15,100 and a software engineer about $17,000.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a network engineer earns about $122,400 while a software engineer earns about $130,600 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a network engineer earns about $252,700 while a software engineer earns about $293,800 per year.
Are network engineer and software 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.