Teachers' salaries
Most teachers are employed on contracts which are directly linked to the salary scales in the relevant employment agreement.
When you're first appointed to a teaching position your entry salary will be assessed by the Ministry of Education, taking into account your academic qualifications including any recognised teaching qualifications, any teaching experience and any relevant work experience. For secondary teachers, relevant work experience will be assessed provided the work was undertaken after completing a recognised and appropriate vocational qualification that is at least at Level 4 on the NZ Qualifications Framework.
There is a wide variety of early childhood education services and remuneration varies greatly. Salaries may be covered by a collective agreement or negotiated on an individual basis. The Kindergarten Association, however, has a collective contract that includes a salary scale. You can see this agreement at www.nzei.org.nz.
For more information on teachers’ pay, allowances and qualifications visit the Ministry of Education website.
Overview
Early Learning
There is a wide variety of Early Learning and ECE services and remuneration varies greatly. Salaries may be covered by a collective agreement or negotiated on an individual basis.
Primary and Secondary
Primary, area and secondary teachers' pay rates are competitive.
You can find more information on pay, allowances, benefits and other entitlements available to primary teachers here: Primary teachers – Education in New Zealand
You can find more information on pay, allowances, benefits and other entitlements available to area teachers here: Area school teachers – Education in New Zealand
You can find more information on pay, allowances, benefits and other entitlements available to secondary teachers here: Secondary teachers – Education in New Zealand
Salary progression
In order to progress up the salary scale a teacher must demonstrate that they have met the applicable professional standard. Their school's board of trustees (often delegated to the school principal) must attest that the teacher has met this standard.
Schools can also allocate 'units' to teachers in management positions or to those with extra responsibilities. Each unit is worth $4,000 and is paid on top of a teacher's base salary.
Salary assessment
When you're first appointed to a teaching position your entry salary will be assessed by Education Payroll Ltd (EPL) to make sure you're getting paid your correct salary as quickly and easily as possible. The assessment takes into account your academic qualifications (including any recognised teaching qualifications), any teaching experience and any relevant work experience. (For secondary teachers, relevant work experience will be assessed provided the work was undertaken after completing a recognised and appropriate vocational qualification that is at least at Level 4 on the NZQF).
To get your salary assessed, you need to complete a salary assessment application online.
Read the information sheet attached above or visit EPL’s website for more information on the salary assessment process: