national median · ANZSCO 7
$67,548
$31.00/hr · weekly × 52
#4 · Transportation
Machinery operators and drivers Salary
Stats NZ HLFS June 2025 national median $67,548 ($31.00/hr; weekly × 52). ANZSCO major group 7. Wage/salary earners in main job (not full-time-only). Modeled 2026 take-home, training context, and career comparisons below.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Baseline take-home
$54,200
19.8% effective
KiwiSaver take-home at median
$52,173
22.8% effective
Key takeaways — Machinery operators & drivers
- Machinery operators and drivers ranks #4 of 8 on this hub with a $67,548 Stats NZ HLFS June 2025 median ($31.00/hr) for wage/salary earners in their main job.
- Modeled baseline take-home at that median: $54,200 (19.8% effective employee deduction rate). With KiwiSaver 3%: $52,173.
- One rank above: Technicians & trades at $69,160 (+$1,612).
- Self-employment income and employer KiwiSaver contributions sit outside these HLFS main-job wage/salary medians.
About Machinery operators and drivers wages
Stats NZ HLFS June 2025 publishes median weekly and hourly earnings from the main wage and salary job by ANZSCO major group (Sex/Age/Ethnic = Total). For Machinery operators and drivers (ANZSCO 7), the national median annual pay is $67,548 (weekly $1,299 × 52) — meaning half of wage/salary earners in this major group earn more and half earn less across New Zealand. These medians are not restricted to full-time employees.
We use Stats NZ–published hourly figures, then apply our 2026 New Zealand paycheck model so you see modeled take-home, not just gross. That bridges labour-market statistics with the same tax rules as our New Zealand calculator — nationwide PAYE and ACC earner levy.
Use the compare tool to pit Machinery operators & drivers against another career group, or open the paycheck calculator to model an offer above or below the published median.
Transportation · rank context
Machinery operators & drivers sits at rank #4 between Technicians & trades (#3, $69,160) and Clerical & admin (#5, $67,392).
Training & licensing context
Machinery operators and drivers medians reflect licensing and shift patterns. Early-career roles often earn far below the national median.
Take-home at Stats NZ median by scenario
New Zealand earners, nationwide PAYE + ACC earner levy — gross equals the published Stats NZ median. Baseline assumes KiwiSaver opted out (0%) and no student loan; the KiwiSaver column adds the employee 3% contribution.
| Scenario | Take-home | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|
| KiwiSaver opted out | $54,200 | 19.8% |
| KiwiSaver 3% | $52,173 | 22.8% |
Myths vs facts
Myth: Every Machinery operators & drivers job pays the Stats NZ median.
Fact: The median is a national midpoint for wage/salary earners in the main job. Entry roles, part-time schedules, and lower-COL markets sit below; senior specialists in high-demand cities sit above.
Myth: Take-home at median is what you will net.
Fact: Our columns use a New Zealand vignette at the Stats NZ gross median. KiwiSaver rate, student loan, and ACC settings change your actual paycheck.
Salary planning checklist
- Confirm the posting matches ANZSCO major group 7 (Machinery operators and drivers)
- Compare baseline vs KiwiSaver 3% take-home if you contribute at the default rate
- Remember HLFS medians include part-time main-job earners
- Use metro paycheck examples (New Zealand) when the employer names a city
- Model your exact gross in the New Zealand paycheck calculator
Common mistakes
- ✕Treating $67,548 as a universal offer for all experience levels
- ✕Ignoring licensing and training years when comparing to lower-medians with shorter paths
- ✕Assuming a region of residence changes your income tax rate
Compare Machinery operators & drivers to other careers
Machinery operators & drivers salary FAQs
Stats NZ HLFS June 2025 lists a $67,548 national median for wage/salary earners in their main job (ANZSCO 7) — about $31.00/hr.
Modeled take-home at the Stats NZ median: baseline (KiwiSaver opted out) $54,200, with KiwiSaver 3% $52,173 (2026 rules; no student loan).
#4 of 8 major occupation groups on this hub by national median wage.
Technicians and trades workers ranks #3 at $69,160 — $1,612 above Machinery operators & drivers.
Clerical and administrative workers ranks #5 at $67,392 — $156 below.
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