Designs and builds machine learning models and AI systems that solve real business problems. Works on data pipelines, model training, evaluation, and deployment in production. Increasingly in demand as New Zealand companies adopt AI. Typical work involves cleaning and preparing datasets, training models, and measuring accuracy against business goals. The role calls for a mix of software engineering, statistics, and a practical understanding of how AI models behave in the real world. The field moves quickly, so staying current with new model families and tooling is part of the job. Strong communication matters too, since results only create value when they are understood and trusted by the people who use them.

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Total Remuneration Range

Base salary + bonuses, based on 2 submissions

Minimum Wage
$49,816
Living Wage
$62,192
Median
$132,750
90th Percentile
$149,750
Minimum Wage
$23.95/hr
$49,816/year
2.7×
This role pays 2.7 times the minimum wage
+166%
Living Wage
$29.90/hr
$62,192/year
2.1×
This role pays 2.1 times the living wage
+113%
National Wage Percentile
$132,750
median salary for this role
Top 10.3%
This role's median is higher than 89.7% of all NZ wage/salary earners
293,360 earners at or above this salary
Source: IRD Wage & Salary Distributions — March 2026

Common questions about AI / Machine Learning Engineer pay

Based on 2 anonymous submissions

What is the median salary for AI / Machine Learning Engineer in New Zealand?

Across 2 anonymous submissions, the median total salary for a AI / Machine Learning Engineer in New Zealand is $132,750 per year. Total remuneration ranges from about $115,750 (10th percentile) to $149,750 (90th percentile).

How does AI / Machine Learning Engineer pay compare with NZ wage benchmarks?

A full-time median of $132,750 per year compares with the NZ minimum wage of $49,816 per year and the living wage of $62,192 per year.

What does a AI / Machine Learning Engineer earn at each experience level?

Median pay by experience: Mid (3-5 Yrs) $108,000, Senior (6-9 Yrs) $145,000.

Most Common Perks

Based on 2 submissions

Viewing perks for selected submission
  • Annual Performance Bonus 100%
    • Remote / Hybrid WFH 50%
      • Health Insurance 50%
        • Flexible Working Hours 0%
          • KiwiSaver Match > 3% 0%
            • Extra Annual Leave (5+ Weeks) 0%

Pay by Experience Level

Median salary progression

Mid (3-5 Yrs)
$108,000
Senior (6-9 Yrs)
$145,000

All Submissions (2)

Click a submission to see its perks
$154,000
Auckland 6 - 9 years (Senior) Sep 2026
$111,500
Auckland 3 - 5 years (Intermediate) Sep 2026

Salary by Location

Auckland
$115,750 $132,750 $149,750