Architecture and interior design salaries
in Auckland - 2026
Based on data from 3,000+ active job vacancies, 1,890 survey respondents and insights from 65 recruitment experts.
Architecture and Design
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How much do architecture and design professionals earn in Auckland?
Architecture and design salaries in Auckland range from $60,000 for a graduate to $220,000 for a director or principal in 2026. Registered architects at 6-10 years average $110,000, interior design associates average $120,000, and design leaders across all disciplines earn $130,000 to $220,000. All figures are NZD base salaries excluding KiwiSaver.
Updated 1 July 2026. Based on 1,890 survey responses, 1,200+ placements and 3,000+ live vacancies.
Auckland salary tables 2026
Base annual salaries in NZD, excluding KiwiSaver and bonuses. Benchmark your own salary with our calculator.
Showing annual base salaries, excluding KiwiSaver.
Architecture salaries in Auckland
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grad of Architecture (2-6 yrs) | $60,000 | $75,000 | $85,000 | |
| Grad of Architecture (6-10 yrs) | $85,000 | $95,000 | $110,000 | |
| Registered Architect (3-6 yrs) | $80,000 | $90,000 | $100,000 | |
| Registered Architect (6-10 yrs) | $90,000 | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
| Senior Architect / Associate | $115,000 | $130,000 | $140,000 | |
| Snr Associate / Project Director | $140,000 | $160,000 | $180,000 | |
| Director / Principal | $160,000 | $180,000 | $220,000 | |
| Technician (2-6 yrs) | $60,000 | $75,000 | $85,000 | |
| Technician (6-10 yrs) | $80,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | |
| BIM Modeller / Coordinator | $80,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | |
| BIM Manager | $120,000 | $135,000 | $150,000 | |
| Visualiser | $60,000 | $80,000 | $90,000 | |
| Senior Visualiser | $90,000 | $100,000 | $110,000 |
Interior design salaries in Auckland
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Designer (2-6 yrs) | $60,000 | $80,000 | $90,000 | |
| Snr Interior Designer / Project Lead (6-10 yrs) | $90,000 | $110,000 | $120,000 | |
| Associate | $110,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 | |
| Design Director | $130,000 | $160,000 | $200,000 |
Urban design and landscape salaries in Auckland
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Designer (2-6 yrs) | $70,000 | $85,000 | $100,000 | |
| Urban Designer (6-10 yrs) | $85,000 | $110,000 | $120,000 | |
| Assoc / Snr Urban Designer | $110,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 | |
| Urban Design Director | $130,000 | $160,000 | $180,000 | |
| Landscape Architect (2-6 yrs) | $70,000 | $85,000 | $100,000 | |
| Landscape Architect (6-10 yrs) | $85,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | |
| Assoc / Snr Landscape Architect | $110,000 | $120,000 | $145,000 | |
| Landscape Architect Director | $140,000 | $160,000 | $200,000 |
Source: Bespoke Careers 2026 Salary Guide, updated 1 July 2026.
How Auckland compares
Average base salary for the same level across New Zealand. Titles vary slightly between cities, so the closest equivalent is shown.
Base annual salaries in NZD from the Bespoke Careers 2026 Salary Guide.
What’s shaping Auckland salaries in 2026
Graduates
Auckland graduates start at $60,000, the highest entry point in New Zealand, rising to $85,000 by the top of the 2-6 year band and $110,000 at 6-10 years.
Mid-career
Registered architects at 6-10 years average $110,000, ahead of Wellington at $106,000 and Christchurch at $102,000. Technicians and BIM Modellers at the same level average $100,000.
Senior
Senior architects and associates average $130,000, the highest in New Zealand. Senior interior designers average $110,000 and Assoc/Snr Urban Designers $120,000.
Leadership
Directors and principals earn $160,000 to $220,000. Design Directors in interior design and Landscape Architect Directors both reach $200,000. Auckland leads every NZ market at leadership level.
Get the full 2026 Salary Guide
105 roles across 11 locations, hiring trends for every market, and practical advice for your next pay conversation. Built from 1,890 survey responses, 1,200+ placements and insight from 65 recruitment experts. Free to download.
Frequently asked questions
How much do architects earn in Auckland?
Registered architects with 6-10 years of experience in Auckland earn an average of $110,000 NZD, within a range of $90,000 to $130,000. Graduates start at $60,000 to $85,000, senior architects and associates earn $115,000 to $140,000, and directors and principals earn $160,000 to $220,000.
How much do interior designers earn in Auckland?
Interior designers with 2-6 years of experience in Auckland earn an average of $80,000 NZD. Senior interior designers and project leads earn $90,000 to $120,000, associates earn $110,000 to $140,000, and design directors earn $130,000 to $200,000.
What are the highest-paying architecture and design jobs in Auckland?
Directors and principals in architecture pay the most in Auckland at $160,000 to $220,000. Design Directors in interior design and Landscape Architect Directors both reach $200,000, and BIM Managers top the technical roles at $120,000 to $150,000.
How do Auckland salaries compare to the rest of New Zealand?
Auckland leads every level of every discipline we benchmark in New Zealand. Registered architects at 6-10 years average $110,000 against $106,000 in Wellington, $102,000 in Christchurch and $100,000 in Queenstown. The gap is consistent rather than dramatic, typically 4-10% over the other three markets.
How is the salary data collected?
Our salary data draws on input from over 1,890 survey respondents, 1,200 recent placements, 3,000 job listings and insight from 65 recruitment experts.
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