NZ Apprentice Wage Rates 2026
Legal Minimum Rates
NZ has two sub-minimum wage rates that may apply to apprentices:
Training minimum wage: $19.16/hr (80% of $23.95 adult minimum) — applies to workers aged 20+ who are party to a recognised industry training agreement of at least 60 credits per year.
Starting-out wage: $19.16/hr (80% of adult minimum) — may apply to workers aged 16–19 in their first 6 months with a new employer, or those in recognised training.
Most employers in trades pay above these minimums, especially from Year 2 onward.
Industry Training Bodies
- BCITO — Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (builders, carpenters, roofers, painters)
- E-tec — Electrical apprenticeships
- PGDB — Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers board
- Competenz — Engineering, fabrication, and other trades
What Apprentices Cost Beyond Wages
When budgeting for an apprentice, remember to include: - KiwiSaver — 3% employer contribution minimum - ACC employer levy — varies by trade classification - Holiday pay — 8% of gross or 4 weeks annual leave - Training levies — BCITO charges $50/week approximately per apprentice - Tool allowance — many employers contribute toward personal tools - Supervision time — experienced tradies spend time mentoring
Use our PAYE Employee Cost Calculator for a full employer cost breakdown.
NZ Apprentice Pay Guide by Year (2026)
Typical market rates — not legal minimums. Actual pay depends on trade, employer, region, and the apprentice's progress.
| Year | % of qualified rate | Typical hourly (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 45–55% | $22–$28/hr |
| Year 2 | 55–65% | $27–$33/hr |
| Year 3 | 65–75% | $32–$38/hr |
| Year 4 | 75–85% | $37–$43/hr |
| Completed | 100% | $45–$65/hr |
Qualified tradie rates vary by trade. Regional NZ runs 10–15% below Auckland/Wellington.
Apprentice Wage NZ — Common Questions
What is the apprentice minimum wage in NZ 2026? The training minimum wage is $19.16/hr for apprentices 20+ with an active ITO agreement of 60+ credits/year. In practice, most NZ employers pay $22–$28/hr in Year 1 — well above the legal floor.
Do apprentices get the adult minimum wage? Not automatically. Apprentices in a formal ITO training agreement can be paid the training minimum ($19.16/hr). Apprentices without an ITO agreement must receive the full adult minimum ($23.95/hr from April 2026).
How much should I pay a first-year apprentice in NZ? Industry guides suggest 45–55% of a qualified tradesperson's rate. In 2026 NZ, that's approximately $22–$28/hr in main centres. Paying at the legal minimum risks losing apprentices to higher-paying competitors.
Can I pay a 16-year-old apprentice less? Workers aged 16–17 may receive the starting-out wage ($19.16/hr) for the first 200 hours or 3 months. After that, at least the adult or training minimum applies regardless of age.
Related Tools
- PAYE Employee Cost Calculator — full employer cost including KiwiSaver and ACC
- Hourly Rate Calculator — what to charge as a self-employed tradie
- Overtime Calculator — time-and-a-half and double-time calculations
- Hiring an Apprentice NZ Guide