NZ Tax by Profession
How much tax do people in your profession pay in New Zealand? Browse take-home pay guides for 20 common occupations — calculated using 2025-26 tax rates, 1.67% ACC levy, and 3% KiwiSaver.
Nurses
Median salary $72,000
Take-home pay $54,817
Effective tax rate 19.2%
Teachers
Median salary $75,000
Take-home pay $56,777
Effective tax rate 19.6%
Software Developers
Median salary $95,000
Take-home pay $69,336
Effective tax rate 22.3%
Doctors
Median salary $130,000
Take-home pay $91,152
Effective tax rate 25.2%
Accountants
Median salary $80,000
Take-home pay $59,987
Effective tax rate 20.4%
Lawyers
Median salary $100,000
Take-home pay $72,453
Effective tax rate 22.9%
Real Estate Agents
Median salary $75,000
Take-home pay $56,777
Effective tax rate 19.6%
Truck Drivers
Median salary $62,000
Take-home pay $48,284
Effective tax rate 17.5%
Freelancers
Median salary $65,000
Take-home pay $50,244
Effective tax rate 18.0%
Graphic Designers
Median salary $65,000
Take-home pay $50,244
Effective tax rate 18.0%
Electricians
Median salary $72,000
Take-home pay $54,817
Effective tax rate 19.2%
Plumbers
Median salary $70,000
Take-home pay $53,511
Effective tax rate 18.9%
Police Officers
Median salary $78,000
Take-home pay $58,737
Effective tax rate 20.0%
Pharmacists
Median salary $85,000
Take-home pay $63,103
Effective tax rate 21.1%
Builders
Median salary $68,000
Take-home pay $52,204
Effective tax rate 18.6%
Consultants
Median salary $110,000
Take-home pay $78,686
Effective tax rate 23.8%
Tradespersons
Median salary $68,000
Take-home pay $52,204
Effective tax rate 18.6%
Chefs
Median salary $55,000
Take-home pay $43,711
Effective tax rate 15.9%
Retail Workers
Median salary $48,000
Take-home pay $38,450
Effective tax rate 15.2%
Farmers
Median salary $65,000
Take-home pay $50,244
Effective tax rate 18.0%
Midwives
Median salary $75,000
Take-home pay $56,777
Effective tax rate 19.6%
Paramedics
Median salary $70,000
Take-home pay $53,511
Effective tax rate 18.9%
Physiotherapists
Median salary $68,000
Take-home pay $52,204
Effective tax rate 18.6%
Dentists
Median salary $130,000
Take-home pay $91,152
Effective tax rate 25.2%
Architects
Median salary $85,000
Take-home pay $63,103
Effective tax rate 21.1%
Pilots
Median salary $110,000
Take-home pay $78,686
Effective tax rate 23.8%
Social Workers
Median salary $65,000
Take-home pay $50,244
Effective tax rate 18.0%
IT Managers
Median salary $120,000
Take-home pay $84,919
Effective tax rate 24.6%
Marketing Managers
Median salary $95,000
Take-home pay $69,336
Effective tax rate 22.3%
Mechanics
Median salary $55,000
Take-home pay $43,711
Effective tax rate 15.9%
Hairdressers
Median salary $42,000
Take-home pay $33,781
Effective tax rate 14.9%
Security Guards
Median salary $48,000
Take-home pay $38,450
Effective tax rate 15.2%
Warehouse Workers
Median salary $50,000
Take-home pay $40,007
Effective tax rate 15.3%
Veterinarians
Median salary $90,000
Take-home pay $66,220
Effective tax rate 21.8%
Dental Hygienists
Median salary $72,000
Take-home pay $54,817
Effective tax rate 19.2%
Calculate Your Own Take-Home Pay
The figures above use median salary estimates. Use our calculator to see the exact tax on your actual salary, with options for student loan, KiwiSaver rate, and secondment income.
Open Income Tax Calculator →All calculations use 2025-26 NZ income tax brackets, ACC earner's levy at 1.67% (capped at $152,790), and 3% KiwiSaver employee contribution. Median salary figures are approximate and sourced from Stats NZ and industry data. Actual take-home pay will vary based on individual circumstances.