Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Photographer vs Social Media Manager salary

In New Zealand, a social media manager earns about 15% more than a photographer $67,364 vs $58,728 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

Creative
Photographer
$58,728/yr
Monthly
$4,894
Hourly
$28
Range
$34,949$87,804
10-yr outlook
+4%
Pays more
Creative
Social Media Manager
$67,364/yr
Monthly
$5,642
Hourly
$32
Range
$43,125$97,016
10-yr outlook
+10%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhotographerSocial Media Manager
Entry (10th)$34,949$43,125
25th$46,809$55,216
Median$58,728$67,364
75th$73,237$82,161
Senior (90th)$87,804$97,016

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

More Creative comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a photographer or social media manager earn more in New Zealand?
A social media manager earns more, at about $117,000 per year vs $102,000 for a photographer — roughly 15% ($15,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A photographer typically earns $60,700–$152,500, while a social media manager earns $74,900–$168,500 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
On a monthly basis before tax, a photographer averages about $8,500 and a social media manager about $9,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a photographer earns about $60,700 while a social media manager earns about $74,900 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a photographer earns about $152,500 while a social media manager earns about $168,500 per year.
Are photographer and social media manager similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Creative 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.