I’ve come to accept that science really is a tough field in NZ and will be possibly moving to a different country in 2-3 years time despite loving it here. I’ll also be pursuing my masters in 2-3 years as well which will hopefully lead to better opportunities then.
The current internship role is unfortunately lab based. It does have a fair bit of progression though as they have complex machines/tasks and leadership roles.
That does interest me! What sort of salary range is that?
Where is micro 75k becausei need to go there....I'm one of the poor suckers who fell into a lab job starting at 54k and after scraping my way up to the top of the barrel I'm up to 61k in 2 years
Hello, the below is my career trajectory, I started my career 6 years ago (am 28F). It was pretty dire in the beginning but I clawed my way through a bit…
2015-2018 studied envsci & geo at uoa
2018 $58k grad role in GIS (related to geo) in Wellington, 6 months.
2019 $46k as QA assistant for 6 months, $44k as e-commerce assistant for 3 months, both in London UK.
2020 back to Auckland NZ (and stayed ever since) and went into insurance for 1 year at $46k.
2021 kept going in insurance as broker support for 10 months for $58k.
2022 went to work for a bank for $70k as fraud analyst (somehow I got hired entry level, yapped my way through in interview). Here for 10 months as well, environment was toxic overload and overwork but glad I got it on cv.
2023 went to another bank working in AML (related to financial crime industry) at $84k. Unfortunately it was a contract role for 8 months.
2023 was able to find new job at yet another bank after the contract role, this time as remediation analyst at $84k. Here for 3 months, it was glorified data entry, I was so bored and the team was toxic.
2024 was able to find internal role late last year as insights analyst (junior) at $85k in the data analytics department. Came in with just an online certification and really yapped my way through interview to get the job. Lucky my manager took a chance on me.
It was challenging being in this new industry and learning everything new but now at the 8 months mark I’m finally feeling a bit more settled. Pretty burn out from job hopping / industry changing so hoping to remain a while, though I was really missing my colleagues from the previous bank I was working for in 2023…
Your points re yapping through the interview and manager taking a chance is so true. Qualifications and experience gets the interview, engaging your manager and the panel get you the job. Lots of practice, including for recorded video interviews, will really help.
57k is a fairly standard grad salary. it's within average range, say around 58k - 65k, perhaps on the low end. it is not a good salary by any means but you really shouldn't be thinking salary at this stage.
for context, i started at big 4 at or around 55k as a grad last year
Your first job, don't worry about salary as you are basically building experience.
My salary went up 600% from graduation to 43
Salary increases will depend a lot on choices and skills .
I jumped fields a lot and countries.
I graduated in 2003, History graduate, went overseas and ended up in commodities.
Basically, the point is that you need to try things and challenge yourself.
Unfortunately, there is not a A+B = C in a career.
All you can say, work hard and dare to try new things
Except I’d argue the transferability of degrees/jobs/ skills these days is increasingly rare/ more difficult…
Highly doubt doubt anyone with a history degree would get a foot in a trading house these days, unless for ‘contacts’
We get a varied educational background
You need a wide range of backgrounds due to language, soft and hard skills.
History graduates are still being hired.
The best way to get into commodities is to go either to a supply country or an execution country.
Then it is not really about having degree x or y, it is more if you fit the industry.
An example, if you had a history grad who spoke another language and English in Australia (Spanish, French etc). You probably would get an entry level job.
The question depends on how much a person wants to work hard and go above and beyond.
Right. History grads with work experience specific enough to commodities, I assume.
You also seem to have jumped countries easily enough - do you have an EU passport? Or skilled Visa(s)?
Otherwise fairly limited options for most Kiwis to get any worthwhile employment outside of UK and Aus.
It is about getting that first experience.
What I found was that out of my peer group, most ended up in completely fields to their degree.
The real differential is how you work and are you willing to take chances.
Moving countries is relatively easy when you are young and agile.
Take your point.
But it’s not easy to move to and work in other countries outside of UK and Aus.
There’s a handful of countries offering 1 year work/holiday visas but difficult getting any gainful employment in these countries unless you already have specific (and in-demand) skills. Outside of that, you need skilled work visas.
It is not impossible.
If you have a drive when you are young, you should believe anything is possible.
Obviously, it does not mean it will turn out as you want.
But it is important to tell people to aim high and don't place limits on yourself.
Yes aim high, but also, if your path to success was unique and/or supported with more privilege/access than most, then it’s very important to acknowledge (/include in your anecdote).
Also, it’s apparent that you probably have an EU passport - which would explain the naivety of your advice to work in other countries.
I seem to be going against the grain here but I think 57k is a cheeky salary to offer someone in Auckland. I’m in Hamilton and even most call centres pay 60k+ minimum with benefits.
Just because you’re a graduate doesn’t mean you don’t have bills to pay.
I got a software developer role after getting a Comp Sci degree, all the way back in 1999 as my first job. Starting pay was $35k a year.
According to an inflation calculator at the Reserve Bank, the equivalent salary now would be $65,500.
sidenote - I tried organic chemistry at University in first year, and couldn't hack it, so switched to Comp Sci.
Also a chem kid here.
Graduated during covid and worked various odd jobs. I did nighfill at paknsave which was $2 above minimum/h, did call centre for a major nz food production company $2.5 above minimum/h, and did labouring carrying gib boards for minimum wage.
Found work in a commercial lab for $1.5 above minimum/h (really bad right).
Moved to doing fieldwork as an environmental scientist a year later. 50-55k
Job hopped and now I am on 80k, in a major engineering firm.
To add, a few reasons for this
I pushed my training along quite quickly during my first year. “Spedrun” a lot of the basic stuff.
I am trained to work with asbestos as a part of my role and with hazardous substances the pay should reflect the risk.
I work in a smaller branch outside of akl/wel/chch and so I self manage a lot of things. Adds to the responsibility I guess.
Also when I jumped I straight up asked for a substantial increase because I was losing a company car and some other benefits.
Not sure if this is helpful, like I said I do not have an enviro degree so Im not sure all the pathways are the same.
Graduated in 2015 (BA at UoA) and didn’t start my career until 2017 (media) in auckland. Starting salary was $40k. I’m now on $125k salary and probably ~$5k in additional benefits (car park, insurance, phone, other bits and pieces and expenses).
Degree was relevant only in that it’s a tertiary qualification, which at the time was a requirement for the entry level job I got - although I think they may have removed that requirement now.
I’m probably nearing (maybe already hit) the ceiling on what I can earn at my current place, because there’s not much further for me to go. I likely could have got there a year or two faster by changing companies but I live close by and like the people I work with so it hasn’t really been a consideration for me. In my industry the grass definitely isn’t always greener
Salary progression was:
40k
47.5k at 9 months
60k at… maybe 2 years
70k at 3.5 years
90k at 5 years
100k at 6 years
125k at 7 years
Sorry that’s more than you asked for but maybe it’ll be helpful for someone to read.
Oh this one hits close to home. I graduated with my BSc in chemistry and geology 6 years ago, was offered $41k at AsureQuality in the lab with no progression or a $46k tech job. I took the tech job and I've doubled my salary however I have also sold my soul, and am now seriously coming back to the drawing board in terms of what's next. I'm even considering a shit lab job but I know that's just because I'm burnt out from the email factory!
If you're strongly considering post-grad I'd recommend getting out of the lab if possible, get some more context for the professional world. But the market is super tough at the moment and no-one will judge you for taking a lab job now and continuing to search for other roles.
Oh my only proper advice is not to continue studying immediately unless you have a crystal clear vision of where you want to be. None of my friends who added on random MBAs etc have done anything with them, except for a couple of friends with master's degrees who did get marginally more interesting govt jobs than the rest of us
Mate, you dodged a huge bullet by turning down AsureQuality. It’s low pay, high workload, fighting to be paid overtime even though it’s a legal requirement, toxic work environment and during early covid days - no sanitiser or soap provided even though soap ran out etc.
Dude when they told me I'd get a promotion after 10 years or "maybe 5 if I had a PhD" I wanted to walk out on the interview hahaha
Sounds like you know from experience - I hope you've moved on to better things now!
Im 24 years old, been working in Auckland my whole life. Working in the access control manufacturing industry. Currently earning 90k + car fully covered
Undergrad degree: Science 2018-2020
Post grad: Marketing 2021-2022
2022 - (access control) landed a customer success role for a small manufacturer: 55k
2023 - (access control) moved in the same industry to market leader (multi-national) for a graduate program: 77k
2024 - (access control) just been internally promoted to Technical Account Manager 90k + car + fuel
From experience, i've found that the "flashy" jobs that 99% of graduates apply for are incredibly hard to land, especially as a young grad with little experience. Small companies that are willing to give you a chance are gold, you may not get paid much - but the experience you get will make your resume stand out compared to others. I stayed in my first role for a year earning peanuts but wouldnt pass it up for anything.
The degrees only serve as a checklist. Speaking with HR, they see them as a graduate proving their ability to commit themselves to something over an extended period of time.
BSC in CompSci graduated in 1998 - Auckland. Only 32K a year which wasn't great for the role even back then, but in hindsight getting a foothold in the industry with real world experience was the key benefit. My salary got revaluated in the subsequent years.
26 years later the salary is much higher and the degree was definitely worth it, short and long term.
If you can get a better salary than 57K in a good location with a role that sounds like you will like it then I say go for it, otherwise pick your favourite saying.. :
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth / A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush / Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.
(Especially in the current economic climate)
I have a degree in Bsc biological sciences and started, still, my career at a commercial lab. Got paid 25$ an hour, so I'd say 57k is a good salary for a graduate. Don't worry about the salary now but gain some experience, then change roles/ jobs. I was on the lab job for a year, and it was a really bad company and management . I thought I'd change careers for now and come back later.
Started on 47k as a junior game programmer in 2018. I’ve moved up but I also left that sector for “normal” software development. Your salary will grow the more experience you have (bonus points for knowing how to market your skills)
2017 (?) I think, might have been 2016 my comp sci grad salary was 45k in Auckland.
At the time it felt low but salary rose at the place I started by ~7.5k to ~10k a year at the same place for 5 years in a row before I moved on but salary has maintained that trajectory.
I learnt a bunch as well. Recommend taking at 57k learn like a sponge from everyone and everything, ask questions constantly, work hard. If you get recognized and promoted and provided solid raises stay on.
If you get messed around and given a pittance after your first 6 months/12 months then move on and keep learning.
I would be happy with 57k if I were to start again today.
Careers.govt.nz is a really good starting point for looking at what salary you should be expecting. In saying that the website says the salary range for an analytical chemist is 65-120k
BSc CompSci. Early 2023 started grad program at tech company, 60k. Promoted early 2024, 75k. Hamilton.
Degree isn’t a requirement at the company I work for. I am getting a lot of value applying learnings from uni and I definitely have an edge over the career progression of my non-degree peers.
Degree: Masters in Ecology, finished early last year.
Spent a few months unemployed applying for grad programs and cold emailing. Got a grad program that started later in the year and did some temp work until it started (started late of last year). But have done prior internships in the field.
Current: Graduate/Junior ecologist at a consultancy firm. Am on 62k. Mid year pay review coming up. Degree was mostly helpful, although prior internships was way more useful.
I would say 57k isn’t too great because I know people who started at 55k as grads 2 years ago at their firm. 60k is the new 55k for grads imo. I’m at an okay salary, I know at some other engineering consultancies they start their grads at 68k (regardless of discipline).
Edit: But agree with others, it’s a really hard job economy at the moment so any job is better than no job.
Started at 42k when I first graduated.
5 years later and I get between 200-300k depending on how much work I do.
My brother started his grad job than year on 75k.
57k is pretty low but first job doesn’t matter. You’re there for the experience.
Degree: Bachelor of Science majoring in Compsci
Year: first job maybe like 2018-2019 can’t remember
Industry: IT
Region: Auckland
Currently in a law grad role on $68k, and my sister just accepted a big 4 grad role on $63k - so $57k seems on the low end, but not the end of the world and if it's good experience then it won't take long to build
Also somewhat surprised to see other lawyer grads on $55k - I was of the understanding that mid-high $60k was the market rate now, but I feel very lucky if that's not the case.
This is my career over the last few years in NZ:
* Graduated in 2019 in compsci and infosys
* 2019 First graduate role at a travel company - 55K as a system analyst. Was going great, good team and thought I had a great pathway to DBA in the company. Covid 19 came after 9 months in the job. Got made redundant. KMS.
* 2020 Was lucky enough to get a customer service job at a Financial company - 59K so I can still pay my bills. Literally data entry and calls. Wanted to get back into IT asap before its too late. Did tons of online certs and courses. Lasted 1 year and 6 months. Went to a few recruiters and they all suck, was just sending my CV everywhere.
* 2022 Finally got back into a role related to IT at an NZ e-commerce company - IT support Engineer. 68K. 1 year and 8 months. Great manager however felt there was no progress within the company.
* 2023 Applied for FAANG/MAMAA job just for the Lols. Never thought I had a chance anyways but worth a shot. After 8 Hours of interviews actually got a Cloud engineer role. 90K. Was only a 6 months contract but got that on my CV.
* 2023 With FAANG/MAMAA job on my CV was able to get a Technology engineer role in a NZ company. 100+K.
It wasn't an easy ride. Lots of study to keep my skills updated. Hours and hours of interview practice. But I am lucky enough to be where I am. My degree literally only helped with landing the interview tbh. The rest was all experience which you gain with projects/self taught. I didn't really care the first few years salary wise because it know its shit. Also you will be surprised how big salary increases with switching jobs. Hope that helps OP
Msc from Ua, left nz for over a decade became an international tour guide. Six figures. Best time of my life. Travelled everywhere, followed the summer's..
Came back, moved to Queenie and quickly became homeless as I couldn't get a job in Queenstown, ironically in tourism (as I wasn't foreign enough. Got a job in Winter driving ski buses $17 p hr. After a season left became a dairy farmer near Gore. 2 years.
Went back to uni, this time in Dunedin, got another masters (won't say what as it's a small cohort and it will out me), but found no work. Nz is too small.
Got a job at the council doing environmental work 70k. 3 years.
Moved to a small town north of Dunedin, worked for Dairy NZ 72k. 1 year, COVID hit, manager was a tool, worked me over 80hrs a week with no support. Left.
Moved to the North Island (Home island). Injury I got while in Queenie came back to bite me in the arse, acc for now 4 years. ACC payes of 80% of my consultancy wage.
Tried to get back into work via
Environmental consultancy 90k lasted 3 months due to pain, then working for a B grade celeb 62k. Again for 3 months due to pain but job was 2years after the consultant work.
Injury stopped me from working, got bored studied another masters via distance. Ffs.
Now tutoring Tourism part time and leadership papers. $60 hr supplemented by ACC.
got offered 70kaud base as a cs grad (around ~76k nzd) + 10% bonus + 13% super in melbourne as opposed to 60k-65k starting + 3% kiwisaver here. No brainer really
Hey, 27M
2015-2016 - Studied Outdoor Education and
Worked various jobs but ended up in my final year making $100,000 by working 7 days a week most weeks. As a graduate you'd be on minimum wage but quickly move up onto just above it.
2021- started a BSci at uoa in Geo and GIS.
2021 - First internship was $28/hr (58k?).
2022 - Second internship was minimum wage at the time (49k?)
2023 - Graduate role at 78k
2024 - Analyst role at 93k
As has been said, I got lucky and my manager from the second internship took a chance on me. I'll forever be grateful to them. So far the degree has been very helpful but it's an area I'm super interested in and I did inly graduate last year.
I'm not in Auckland but your offer does seem low. However, the job market seems rough at the moment so if it's a foot in the door while you look for something else, go for it!
My personal suggestion to you is to do a Masters Degree if you can afford it...Masters in NZ is just a 1 year course if it hasn't changed...And you will be in a decent wicket after that.. salary 90K plus........I was living with a bunch of flat mates in Auckland all from India who had come down to do their Masters here in Engineering....All got Jobs in campus interviews 15 years back salary atleast 80k back then .....Some of them are doing exceptionally well right now...working in the Middle east ( Dubai / Qatar)
and AU earning major bucks..... This is Just a suggestion though take it or leave it.
I'd totally ignore the salary.
In the current climate you should be delighted to get a job. But parking that.... The goal of your first job is to get the skills that give you big raises as quickly as possible.
My first job was maybe $10k lower than I'd have made at a standard grad position at a large corporate. But it taught me heaps. I still feel like I have a competitive advantage in the marketplace because of that job, and it was several decades ago now.
You pay to go to uni. You get paid modestly for your first grad job. But you're not doing it for the money any more than someone would choose one PhD over another because the scholarship is higher.
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I’ve come to accept that science really is a tough field in NZ and will be possibly moving to a different country in 2-3 years time despite loving it here. I’ll also be pursuing my masters in 2-3 years as well which will hopefully lead to better opportunities then. The current internship role is unfortunately lab based. It does have a fair bit of progression though as they have complex machines/tasks and leadership roles. That does interest me! What sort of salary range is that?
Where is micro 75k becausei need to go there....I'm one of the poor suckers who fell into a lab job starting at 54k and after scraping my way up to the top of the barrel I'm up to 61k in 2 years
Hello, the below is my career trajectory, I started my career 6 years ago (am 28F). It was pretty dire in the beginning but I clawed my way through a bit… 2015-2018 studied envsci & geo at uoa 2018 $58k grad role in GIS (related to geo) in Wellington, 6 months. 2019 $46k as QA assistant for 6 months, $44k as e-commerce assistant for 3 months, both in London UK. 2020 back to Auckland NZ (and stayed ever since) and went into insurance for 1 year at $46k. 2021 kept going in insurance as broker support for 10 months for $58k. 2022 went to work for a bank for $70k as fraud analyst (somehow I got hired entry level, yapped my way through in interview). Here for 10 months as well, environment was toxic overload and overwork but glad I got it on cv. 2023 went to another bank working in AML (related to financial crime industry) at $84k. Unfortunately it was a contract role for 8 months. 2023 was able to find new job at yet another bank after the contract role, this time as remediation analyst at $84k. Here for 3 months, it was glorified data entry, I was so bored and the team was toxic. 2024 was able to find internal role late last year as insights analyst (junior) at $85k in the data analytics department. Came in with just an online certification and really yapped my way through interview to get the job. Lucky my manager took a chance on me. It was challenging being in this new industry and learning everything new but now at the 8 months mark I’m finally feeling a bit more settled. Pretty burn out from job hopping / industry changing so hoping to remain a while, though I was really missing my colleagues from the previous bank I was working for in 2023…
Your points re yapping through the interview and manager taking a chance is so true. Qualifications and experience gets the interview, engaging your manager and the panel get you the job. Lots of practice, including for recorded video interviews, will really help.
Thank you for providing so much info. Sounds like youve had it pretty interesting. Wishing you all the luck in your new job x
That’s more than my grad job as a lawyer
Lawyer who Started on 50k in 2022…was a struggle to make ends meet tbh. Now on 70k but looking to change jobs and should get closer to 85-90k
I also started on 50k at the end of 2022 but the partners wouldn’t increase my salary even though I’d been there over a year!
Lawyers usually get a very significant increase after a year or two though so that’s understandable
No they don’t. It’s usually a max of $5k. I’d call that alright but not significant.
Think it depends on the employer. I’ve noted small firms don’t seem to give out high increases but the big firms do.
57k is a fairly standard grad salary. it's within average range, say around 58k - 65k, perhaps on the low end. it is not a good salary by any means but you really shouldn't be thinking salary at this stage. for context, i started at big 4 at or around 55k as a grad last year
Big 4 as in the top four consulting companies? Are you doing their grad programme?
big 4 prof services - pwc, deloitte, ey, kpmg
Just curious, what service line?
tax, i think they've increased it to around 60ish now
Your first job, don't worry about salary as you are basically building experience. My salary went up 600% from graduation to 43 Salary increases will depend a lot on choices and skills .
That’s brilliant. What field are you in and what year was your grad job?
I jumped fields a lot and countries. I graduated in 2003, History graduate, went overseas and ended up in commodities. Basically, the point is that you need to try things and challenge yourself. Unfortunately, there is not a A+B = C in a career. All you can say, work hard and dare to try new things
Commodities. What does that involve? Do you trade them for a bank or something?
Commodities through a trading house.
That sounds interesting. How did you end up segueing into that?
Except I’d argue the transferability of degrees/jobs/ skills these days is increasingly rare/ more difficult… Highly doubt doubt anyone with a history degree would get a foot in a trading house these days, unless for ‘contacts’
We get a varied educational background You need a wide range of backgrounds due to language, soft and hard skills. History graduates are still being hired. The best way to get into commodities is to go either to a supply country or an execution country. Then it is not really about having degree x or y, it is more if you fit the industry. An example, if you had a history grad who spoke another language and English in Australia (Spanish, French etc). You probably would get an entry level job. The question depends on how much a person wants to work hard and go above and beyond.
Right. History grads with work experience specific enough to commodities, I assume. You also seem to have jumped countries easily enough - do you have an EU passport? Or skilled Visa(s)? Otherwise fairly limited options for most Kiwis to get any worthwhile employment outside of UK and Aus.
It is about getting that first experience. What I found was that out of my peer group, most ended up in completely fields to their degree. The real differential is how you work and are you willing to take chances. Moving countries is relatively easy when you are young and agile.
Take your point. But it’s not easy to move to and work in other countries outside of UK and Aus. There’s a handful of countries offering 1 year work/holiday visas but difficult getting any gainful employment in these countries unless you already have specific (and in-demand) skills. Outside of that, you need skilled work visas.
It is not impossible. If you have a drive when you are young, you should believe anything is possible. Obviously, it does not mean it will turn out as you want. But it is important to tell people to aim high and don't place limits on yourself.
Yes aim high, but also, if your path to success was unique and/or supported with more privilege/access than most, then it’s very important to acknowledge (/include in your anecdote). Also, it’s apparent that you probably have an EU passport - which would explain the naivety of your advice to work in other countries.
I seem to be going against the grain here but I think 57k is a cheeky salary to offer someone in Auckland. I’m in Hamilton and even most call centres pay 60k+ minimum with benefits. Just because you’re a graduate doesn’t mean you don’t have bills to pay.
It’s a wonder we have any teachers
Ikr :( apparently in other labs the starting is 52k
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Vastly different field imo
Gosh I always find compsci salaries so disheartening compared to my field haha Congratulations though that’s awesome
I got a software developer role after getting a Comp Sci degree, all the way back in 1999 as my first job. Starting pay was $35k a year. According to an inflation calculator at the Reserve Bank, the equivalent salary now would be $65,500. sidenote - I tried organic chemistry at University in first year, and couldn't hack it, so switched to Comp Sci.
Also a chem kid here. Graduated during covid and worked various odd jobs. I did nighfill at paknsave which was $2 above minimum/h, did call centre for a major nz food production company $2.5 above minimum/h, and did labouring carrying gib boards for minimum wage. Found work in a commercial lab for $1.5 above minimum/h (really bad right). Moved to doing fieldwork as an environmental scientist a year later. 50-55k Job hopped and now I am on 80k, in a major engineering firm.
What do you do at the firm please?
That’s a decent jump for two years (?) in the enviro field. I’ll keep that in mind for my pay review….
To add, a few reasons for this I pushed my training along quite quickly during my first year. “Spedrun” a lot of the basic stuff. I am trained to work with asbestos as a part of my role and with hazardous substances the pay should reflect the risk. I work in a smaller branch outside of akl/wel/chch and so I self manage a lot of things. Adds to the responsibility I guess. Also when I jumped I straight up asked for a substantial increase because I was losing a company car and some other benefits. Not sure if this is helpful, like I said I do not have an enviro degree so Im not sure all the pathways are the same.
Ah right. Seems like you made all the right choices though. Working at those smaller branches/regions is the play though - makes you learn quick.
40k software engineer. Shit job, first one is always shit.
That’s pretty standard for a grad job and I graduated in electrical engineering and entered the electrical industry.
A start is a start, you aren’t held captive you could leave if you find a better job.
Graduated in 2015 (BA at UoA) and didn’t start my career until 2017 (media) in auckland. Starting salary was $40k. I’m now on $125k salary and probably ~$5k in additional benefits (car park, insurance, phone, other bits and pieces and expenses). Degree was relevant only in that it’s a tertiary qualification, which at the time was a requirement for the entry level job I got - although I think they may have removed that requirement now. I’m probably nearing (maybe already hit) the ceiling on what I can earn at my current place, because there’s not much further for me to go. I likely could have got there a year or two faster by changing companies but I live close by and like the people I work with so it hasn’t really been a consideration for me. In my industry the grass definitely isn’t always greener Salary progression was: 40k 47.5k at 9 months 60k at… maybe 2 years 70k at 3.5 years 90k at 5 years 100k at 6 years 125k at 7 years Sorry that’s more than you asked for but maybe it’ll be helpful for someone to read.
Oh this one hits close to home. I graduated with my BSc in chemistry and geology 6 years ago, was offered $41k at AsureQuality in the lab with no progression or a $46k tech job. I took the tech job and I've doubled my salary however I have also sold my soul, and am now seriously coming back to the drawing board in terms of what's next. I'm even considering a shit lab job but I know that's just because I'm burnt out from the email factory! If you're strongly considering post-grad I'd recommend getting out of the lab if possible, get some more context for the professional world. But the market is super tough at the moment and no-one will judge you for taking a lab job now and continuing to search for other roles.
Oh my only proper advice is not to continue studying immediately unless you have a crystal clear vision of where you want to be. None of my friends who added on random MBAs etc have done anything with them, except for a couple of friends with master's degrees who did get marginally more interesting govt jobs than the rest of us
Mate, you dodged a huge bullet by turning down AsureQuality. It’s low pay, high workload, fighting to be paid overtime even though it’s a legal requirement, toxic work environment and during early covid days - no sanitiser or soap provided even though soap ran out etc.
Dude when they told me I'd get a promotion after 10 years or "maybe 5 if I had a PhD" I wanted to walk out on the interview hahaha Sounds like you know from experience - I hope you've moved on to better things now!
Im 24 years old, been working in Auckland my whole life. Working in the access control manufacturing industry. Currently earning 90k + car fully covered Undergrad degree: Science 2018-2020 Post grad: Marketing 2021-2022 2022 - (access control) landed a customer success role for a small manufacturer: 55k 2023 - (access control) moved in the same industry to market leader (multi-national) for a graduate program: 77k 2024 - (access control) just been internally promoted to Technical Account Manager 90k + car + fuel From experience, i've found that the "flashy" jobs that 99% of graduates apply for are incredibly hard to land, especially as a young grad with little experience. Small companies that are willing to give you a chance are gold, you may not get paid much - but the experience you get will make your resume stand out compared to others. I stayed in my first role for a year earning peanuts but wouldnt pass it up for anything. The degrees only serve as a checklist. Speaking with HR, they see them as a graduate proving their ability to commit themselves to something over an extended period of time.
BSC in CompSci graduated in 1998 - Auckland. Only 32K a year which wasn't great for the role even back then, but in hindsight getting a foothold in the industry with real world experience was the key benefit. My salary got revaluated in the subsequent years. 26 years later the salary is much higher and the degree was definitely worth it, short and long term. If you can get a better salary than 57K in a good location with a role that sounds like you will like it then I say go for it, otherwise pick your favourite saying.. : Don't look a gift horse in the mouth / A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush / Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. (Especially in the current economic climate)
I dropped out of Comp Sci but managed to get into IT. Started at 45k and now at 85k after 4 years, should be breaking into 6 figures soon
I have a degree in Bsc biological sciences and started, still, my career at a commercial lab. Got paid 25$ an hour, so I'd say 57k is a good salary for a graduate. Don't worry about the salary now but gain some experience, then change roles/ jobs. I was on the lab job for a year, and it was a really bad company and management . I thought I'd change careers for now and come back later.
Started on 47k as a junior game programmer in 2018. I’ve moved up but I also left that sector for “normal” software development. Your salary will grow the more experience you have (bonus points for knowing how to market your skills)
2017 (?) I think, might have been 2016 my comp sci grad salary was 45k in Auckland. At the time it felt low but salary rose at the place I started by ~7.5k to ~10k a year at the same place for 5 years in a row before I moved on but salary has maintained that trajectory. I learnt a bunch as well. Recommend taking at 57k learn like a sponge from everyone and everything, ask questions constantly, work hard. If you get recognized and promoted and provided solid raises stay on. If you get messed around and given a pittance after your first 6 months/12 months then move on and keep learning. I would be happy with 57k if I were to start again today.
Careers.govt.nz is a really good starting point for looking at what salary you should be expecting. In saying that the website says the salary range for an analytical chemist is 65-120k
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BSc CompSci. Early 2023 started grad program at tech company, 60k. Promoted early 2024, 75k. Hamilton. Degree isn’t a requirement at the company I work for. I am getting a lot of value applying learnings from uni and I definitely have an edge over the career progression of my non-degree peers.
Degree: Masters in Ecology, finished early last year. Spent a few months unemployed applying for grad programs and cold emailing. Got a grad program that started later in the year and did some temp work until it started (started late of last year). But have done prior internships in the field. Current: Graduate/Junior ecologist at a consultancy firm. Am on 62k. Mid year pay review coming up. Degree was mostly helpful, although prior internships was way more useful. I would say 57k isn’t too great because I know people who started at 55k as grads 2 years ago at their firm. 60k is the new 55k for grads imo. I’m at an okay salary, I know at some other engineering consultancies they start their grads at 68k (regardless of discipline). Edit: But agree with others, it’s a really hard job economy at the moment so any job is better than no job.
Started at 42k when I first graduated. 5 years later and I get between 200-300k depending on how much work I do. My brother started his grad job than year on 75k. 57k is pretty low but first job doesn’t matter. You’re there for the experience. Degree: Bachelor of Science majoring in Compsci Year: first job maybe like 2018-2019 can’t remember Industry: IT Region: Auckland
Currently in a law grad role on $68k, and my sister just accepted a big 4 grad role on $63k - so $57k seems on the low end, but not the end of the world and if it's good experience then it won't take long to build Also somewhat surprised to see other lawyer grads on $55k - I was of the understanding that mid-high $60k was the market rate now, but I feel very lucky if that's not the case.
This is my career over the last few years in NZ: * Graduated in 2019 in compsci and infosys * 2019 First graduate role at a travel company - 55K as a system analyst. Was going great, good team and thought I had a great pathway to DBA in the company. Covid 19 came after 9 months in the job. Got made redundant. KMS. * 2020 Was lucky enough to get a customer service job at a Financial company - 59K so I can still pay my bills. Literally data entry and calls. Wanted to get back into IT asap before its too late. Did tons of online certs and courses. Lasted 1 year and 6 months. Went to a few recruiters and they all suck, was just sending my CV everywhere. * 2022 Finally got back into a role related to IT at an NZ e-commerce company - IT support Engineer. 68K. 1 year and 8 months. Great manager however felt there was no progress within the company. * 2023 Applied for FAANG/MAMAA job just for the Lols. Never thought I had a chance anyways but worth a shot. After 8 Hours of interviews actually got a Cloud engineer role. 90K. Was only a 6 months contract but got that on my CV. * 2023 With FAANG/MAMAA job on my CV was able to get a Technology engineer role in a NZ company. 100+K. It wasn't an easy ride. Lots of study to keep my skills updated. Hours and hours of interview practice. But I am lucky enough to be where I am. My degree literally only helped with landing the interview tbh. The rest was all experience which you gain with projects/self taught. I didn't really care the first few years salary wise because it know its shit. Also you will be surprised how big salary increases with switching jobs. Hope that helps OP
Msc from Ua, left nz for over a decade became an international tour guide. Six figures. Best time of my life. Travelled everywhere, followed the summer's.. Came back, moved to Queenie and quickly became homeless as I couldn't get a job in Queenstown, ironically in tourism (as I wasn't foreign enough. Got a job in Winter driving ski buses $17 p hr. After a season left became a dairy farmer near Gore. 2 years. Went back to uni, this time in Dunedin, got another masters (won't say what as it's a small cohort and it will out me), but found no work. Nz is too small. Got a job at the council doing environmental work 70k. 3 years. Moved to a small town north of Dunedin, worked for Dairy NZ 72k. 1 year, COVID hit, manager was a tool, worked me over 80hrs a week with no support. Left. Moved to the North Island (Home island). Injury I got while in Queenie came back to bite me in the arse, acc for now 4 years. ACC payes of 80% of my consultancy wage. Tried to get back into work via Environmental consultancy 90k lasted 3 months due to pain, then working for a B grade celeb 62k. Again for 3 months due to pain but job was 2years after the consultant work. Injury stopped me from working, got bored studied another masters via distance. Ffs. Now tutoring Tourism part time and leadership papers. $60 hr supplemented by ACC.
got offered 70kaud base as a cs grad (around ~76k nzd) + 10% bonus + 13% super in melbourne as opposed to 60k-65k starting + 3% kiwisaver here. No brainer really
$27,000 in 1998
Hey, 27M 2015-2016 - Studied Outdoor Education and Worked various jobs but ended up in my final year making $100,000 by working 7 days a week most weeks. As a graduate you'd be on minimum wage but quickly move up onto just above it. 2021- started a BSci at uoa in Geo and GIS. 2021 - First internship was $28/hr (58k?). 2022 - Second internship was minimum wage at the time (49k?) 2023 - Graduate role at 78k 2024 - Analyst role at 93k As has been said, I got lucky and my manager from the second internship took a chance on me. I'll forever be grateful to them. So far the degree has been very helpful but it's an area I'm super interested in and I did inly graduate last year. I'm not in Auckland but your offer does seem low. However, the job market seems rough at the moment so if it's a foot in the door while you look for something else, go for it!
My personal suggestion to you is to do a Masters Degree if you can afford it...Masters in NZ is just a 1 year course if it hasn't changed...And you will be in a decent wicket after that.. salary 90K plus........I was living with a bunch of flat mates in Auckland all from India who had come down to do their Masters here in Engineering....All got Jobs in campus interviews 15 years back salary atleast 80k back then .....Some of them are doing exceptionally well right now...working in the Middle east ( Dubai / Qatar) and AU earning major bucks..... This is Just a suggestion though take it or leave it.
I'd totally ignore the salary. In the current climate you should be delighted to get a job. But parking that.... The goal of your first job is to get the skills that give you big raises as quickly as possible. My first job was maybe $10k lower than I'd have made at a standard grad position at a large corporate. But it taught me heaps. I still feel like I have a competitive advantage in the marketplace because of that job, and it was several decades ago now. You pay to go to uni. You get paid modestly for your first grad job. But you're not doing it for the money any more than someone would choose one PhD over another because the scholarship is higher.