Architecture & Design Recruitment in Wellington | Bespoke Careers
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Connecting jobseekers with Wellington’s top architecture and design studios
Bespoke Careers is the world’s leading architecture and design recruitment agency, connecting jobseekers and employers for 22 years. We cover Wellington, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, from the waterfront and Te Aro to the practices hiring across the lower North Island.
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We’re in Wellington, and just
about everywhere else.
Find your dream job in Wellington
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We get new Wellington jobs regularly, and not all of them make it onto the website. Many of the studios we work with also take our recommendations even when they're not actively hiring.
1 in 2 candidates we recommend to firms get an interview.
Meet Charlotte.
Charlotte is a registered architect who has worked on high-end homes, schools, offices and heritage buildings across Melbourne and Adelaide.
She covers Adelaide, Perth and New Zealand. If you’re hiring in any of them, or thinking about moving between them, she already knows the studios and the people worth talking to.
- Charlotte Poulain Regional Lead, New Zealand charlotte.p@bespokecareers.com
“Bespoke are the epitome of ‘ethical recruiters.’ They’re respectful of our time, they establish strong relationships with us and candidates alike. When Bespoke sends us a candidate profile, we sit up and listen.
Tell us who you're looking for.
Submit a brief →What Wellington pays in 2026.
Base salaries for architecture and design roles in Wellington, from our 2026 Salary Guide. Built from 1,890 survey responses, 1,200 placements and 65 recruiters across our offices.
What a registered architect at 6-10 years averages in Auckland, with Wellington at $106,000, Christchurch at $102,000 and Queenstown at $100,000.
The average for senior architects and associates in Auckland, the highest in New Zealand.
What directors and principals earn across New Zealand, from Queenstown practices to the largest Auckland studios.
Source: Bespoke Careers 2026 Salary Guide and Market Report.
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grad of Architecture (2-6 yrs) | $58,000 | $72,000 | $82,000 | |
| Grad of Architecture (6-10 yrs) | $82,000 | $91,000 | $106,000 | |
| Registered Architect (3-6 yrs) | $77,000 | $86,000 | $96,000 | |
| Registered Architect (6-10 yrs) | $86,000 | $106,000 | $125,000 | |
| Senior Architect / Associate | $110,000 | $125,000 | $134,000 | |
| Snr Associate / Project Director | $134,000 | $154,000 | $173,000 |
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Designer (2-6 yrs) | $58,000 | $77,000 | $86,000 | |
| Snr Interior Designer / Project Lead (6-10 yrs) | $86,000 | $106,000 | $115,000 | |
| Associate | $106,000 | $115,000 | $134,000 | |
| Design Director | $125,000 | $154,000 | $192,000 |
See all 4 interior design roles in the full Wellington guide
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Designer (2-6 yrs) | $67,000 | $82,000 | $96,000 | |
| Urban Designer (6-10 yrs) | $82,000 | $106,000 | $115,000 | |
| Assoc / Snr Urban Designer | $106,000 | $115,000 | $134,000 | |
| Urban Design Director | $125,000 | $154,000 | $173,000 | |
| Landscape Architect (2-6 yrs) | $67,000 | $82,000 | $96,000 | |
| Landscape Architect (6-10 yrs) | $82,000 | $96,000 | $115,000 |
See all 8 urban design & landscape architecture roles in the full Wellington guide
Annual base salaries. Updated 1 July 2026.
FAQs
The questions we get asked most, by the people hiring and the people looking.
Which roles do you recruit for in Wellington?
Architecture, interior design, landscape and urban design, architectural and interior products, strategic appointments and business support, at every level from graduates to practice directors, across permanent, contract and temp-to-perm.
How much do architects and designers earn in Wellington?
It varies by discipline, level and practice size. Our 2026 Wellington Salary Guide publishes real ranges for every role, alongside a benefits benchmark that studios use to shape packages.
How do your fees work?
There are three ways to hire. Permanent recruitment is success-only. You only pay when we find you your dream hire, and our terms are sent as soon as you brief us. Contract runs on hourly rates agreed upfront, with payroll and compliance through us. Strategic search is retained and paid in three instalments, across engagement, shortlist and appointment.
Do you place contract as well as permanent staff?
Yes. We have filled 1,664 contract roles for studios hiring against a deadline, alongside permanent and temp-to-perm placements. Contractors are referenced and skills-assessed before we put them forward, and a Monday call with a Thursday start is normal.
How do I register as a candidate?
Send your CV and portfolio, apply through any New Zealand job listing, drop them into the form further up this page, or email newzealand@bespokecareers.com. Everything you share stays confidential, and your current employer never hears from us.
How do I brief you on a vacancy?
Use the brief form on this page, Submit a Vacancy, or call the Wellington office on +61 (0)3 9663 1188 and you will speak to the consultant who covers your discipline.
Let's talk.
Hiring, job hunting, or just want to know what the market is doing. Tell us what you need and the right person will come back to you.
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