Top 5 Highest Paying Entry-Level IT Jobs in New Zealand (2026 Edition)
New Zealand's tech sector continues to expand rapidly, contributing over $23 billion to GDP and creating ripple effects across every industry from agriculture to finance. For anyone considering a career pivot or fresh graduates looking to maximise their earning potential, entry-level IT roles offer some of the most competitive starting salaries in the country.
The good news? Many of these positions prioritise demonstrated skills over formal degrees. Employers are increasingly focused on what you can actually do, not just the qualifications hanging on your wall.
What are the highest paying entry-level IT jobs in New Zealand right now?
The top five entry-level IT roles offering the strongest starting salaries in 2025 are: Junior Cloud Engineer ($80,000 to $99,000), Junior Data Analyst ($59,000 to $75,000), Junior Cybersecurity Analyst ($58,000 to $80,000), Junior Software Developer ($56,000 to $74,000), and IT Support Technician ($55,000 to $75,000). These figures represent realistic starting points for candidates with foundational skills and relevant certifications, based on data from SEEK, PayScale, and Glassdoor.
What makes these roles particularly attractive is their clear progression pathways. A Junior Cloud Engineer position, for instance, can lead to Azure Administrator roles commanding $140,000 or more within a few years.
How much do Junior Cloud Engineers earn in New Zealand?
Junior Cloud Engineers can expect starting salaries between $80,000 and $99,000, according to salary data from SalaryExpert. This makes it one of the most lucrative entry points into tech.
Cloud computing underpins nearly everything modern businesses do. With 95% of Fortune 500 companies running on Microsoft Azure and New Zealand organisations increasingly adopting "cloud-first" policies, demand for cloud professionals continues to outstrip supply.
The role involves managing virtual infrastructure, ensuring systems remain secure and available, and helping organisations migrate from traditional servers to cloud platforms. You will work with services like Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud to keep business operations running smoothly.
What you need to get started: The Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification provides an excellent foundation. It validates your understanding of cloud concepts, Azure services, and the shared responsibility model for security. Many employers view this certification as proof that you can hit the ground running, even without years of hands-on experience.
| Role | Entry-Level Salary | Mid-Career Potential | Recommended Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Cloud Engineer | $80,000 - $99,000 | $140,000+ | Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) IT Specialist: Cloud Computing |
| Junior Data Analyst | $59,000 - $75,000 | $100,000+ | Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) IT Specialist: Python |
| Junior Cybersecurity Analyst | $58,000 - $80,000 | $120,000+ | CCST Cybersecurity SC-900 |
| Junior Software Developer | $56,000 - $74,000 | $110,000+ | IT Specialist: Python IT Specialist: JavaScript |
| IT Support Technician | $55,000 - $75,000 | $95,000+ | IT Specialist: Device Config MS-900 |
Salary data sourced from SEEK, PayScale, Glassdoor, and SalaryExpert (December 2025). Figures represent gross annual salaries and may vary by location and employer.
What does a Junior Data Analyst earn, and what skills are required?
Entry-level Data Analysts in New Zealand typically earn between $59,000 and $75,000, with salaries varying by location and industry. Auckland-based roles often sit at the higher end of this range. According to SEEK's salary data, the average Data Analyst salary nationally sits between $80,000 and $90,000, with entry-level positions starting somewhat lower.
Data Analysts transform raw information into insights that drive business decisions. Whether it is identifying customer behaviour patterns for a retail chain or optimising supply chains for an agricultural exporter, organisations across New Zealand desperately need people who can make sense of their data.
The role requires proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, and increasingly Python. You will spend your days cleaning datasets, building visualisations, and presenting findings to stakeholders who may not have technical backgrounds.
What you need to get started: The Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) certification demonstrates understanding of core data concepts, including relational and non-relational databases. Pairing this with an IT Specialist certification in Python creates a compelling profile for employers. These credentials show you understand both the theory behind data management and the practical skills to work with it.
How much can you earn in cybersecurity without senior experience?
Junior Cybersecurity Analysts earn between $58,000 and $80,000 at entry level, with salaries climbing quickly as experience accumulates. PayScale reports that early-career professionals with one to four years of experience average around $80,900.
Cybersecurity represents one of the fastest-growing sectors globally. A 15% increase in cybersecurity breaches in 2024 alone has intensified demand for qualified professionals. The trusted government career resource careers.govt.nz notes that ICT security specialist appears on Immigration New Zealand's long-term skill shortage list, highlighting just how critical this talent gap has become.
Junior roles typically involve monitoring networks for suspicious activity, responding to security incidents, and helping maintain compliance with security policies. You will learn to think like an attacker to better defend against them.
What you need to get started: The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity certification covers essential security principles, endpoint protection, and network defence. Combining this with Microsoft's Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900) creates a powerful entry-level profile that addresses both network-layer security and cloud-based identity management.
What do Junior Software Developers earn in New Zealand?
Junior Software Developers typically start between $56,000 and $74,000, according to Glassdoor data. Auckland-based roles tend toward the higher end, with some positions reaching $76,000 or more.
Software development remains foundational to New Zealand's digital economy. Every app on your phone, every website you visit, and increasingly every device in your home runs on code someone wrote. Developers build and maintain these systems, translating business requirements into functional software.
The role demands proficiency in at least one programming language, typically Python, JavaScript, or Java for entry-level positions. You will work within development teams using methodologies like Agile, write code, fix bugs, and gradually take on more complex features as your skills develop.
What you need to get started: The IT Specialist certification in Python validates your understanding of syntax, data types, and control flow. Unlike simply claiming "self-taught" status on your CV, certification proves you have structured foundational knowledge. This distinction matters when recruiters are sorting through dozens of applications from candidates with similar GitHub profiles.
What does an IT Support Technician earn at entry level?
IT Support Technicians earn between $55,000 and $75,000 at entry level, according to SEEK's salary insights. While this represents the lower end of our top five, the role offers exceptional job security and clear advancement opportunities.
Support technicians keep businesses operational. When systems fail, networks drop, or employees cannot access critical applications, you are the person who resolves the issue. The role combines technical troubleshooting with communication skills, as you will often explain complex problems in simple terms to non-technical colleagues.
With remote work now standard for many organisations, managing fleets of laptops and ensuring employees can work securely from anywhere has become increasingly important. This evolution has elevated the role from "fixing printers" to strategic IT management.
What you need to get started: The IT Specialist certification in Device Configuration and Management validates skills employers actively seek. Pairing this with Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900) demonstrates you understand both hardware management and the cloud-based productivity tools most New Zealand businesses rely on daily.
Why do certifications matter more than degrees for these roles?
New Zealand employers are increasingly adopting skills-based hiring practices. The Hays 2025 Skills Report reveals that 85% of professions across Australia and New Zealand currently experience moderate to extreme skills shortages. When talent is scarce, employers cannot afford to dismiss qualified candidates simply because they lack a traditional degree.
Certifications serve as objective proof of capability. While a university degree demonstrates broad theoretical knowledge, industry certifications validate specific, job-ready skills. An employer reviewing two candidates can see immediately that the certified applicant understands Azure architecture, data management principles, or network security fundamentals.
There is also a practical advantage: certifications can be earned in weeks or months, not years. For career changers or those wanting to enter tech without significant financial investment, this accessibility is transformative. A certification bundle costing a few hundred dollars can open doors to roles paying $70,000 or more annually.
How can you break into these roles without prior IT experience?
The path into entry-level IT requires building demonstrable skills, earning relevant certifications, and creating a portfolio that showcases your capabilities.
Start by identifying which role aligns with your interests and existing strengths. If you enjoy problem-solving and explaining things to people, IT support might suit you well. If you love finding patterns in information, data analysis could be your fit. If security and protecting systems appeals to you, cybersecurity offers an exciting pathway.
Next, invest in foundational certifications relevant to your chosen path. The IT Specialist and Microsoft Fundamentals certifications provide structured learning and independent validation of your skills. Practice tests help you prepare effectively and build confidence before sitting the actual exam.
Finally, build practical experience through personal projects. Create a simple application, analyse a publicly available dataset, or set up a home lab to practice network configuration. These tangible demonstrations of skill complement your certifications and show employers you can apply what you have learned.
What makes these certifications different from free online courses?
Free online courses have their place in learning, but they lack the verification that employers trust. Anyone can claim they completed a YouTube tutorial series. Certifications from recognised bodies like Certiport, Microsoft, and Cisco provide standardised assessments that prove competency.
The exam format itself builds confidence. Most certification exams, particularly the Adobe Certified Professional and IT Specialist series, include practical components where you demonstrate skills in live applications. Passing these assessments shows you can perform under realistic conditions, not just recall facts.
Additionally, certification credentials appear on digital badge platforms like Credly, allowing recruiters to verify your achievement instantly. When a hiring manager searches LinkedIn for candidates with specific certifications, your profile appears in their results. This visibility in an increasingly crowded job market provides genuine competitive advantage.
Ready to start your IT career?
New Zealand's tech sector offers genuine opportunity for motivated individuals willing to develop in-demand skills. Entry-level salaries ranging from $55,000 to nearly $100,000 provide financial security while you build expertise that commands even higher compensation over time.
The path forward requires commitment but remains accessible. Industry certifications validate your capabilities, distinguish you from other candidates, and demonstrate to employers that you are serious about your professional development.
Explore NZIQ's IT certification bundles to find the pathway that matches your career goals. Each bundle includes learning materials, practice tests, and exam vouchers with retake options, giving you everything needed to earn recognised credentials that New Zealand employers actively seek.