What Should a Cabinetmaker Charge Per Hour in New Zealand?

The NZ wage landscape for joinery

New Zealand does not operate a trade-specific award system like Australia's Fair Work. Minimum wages are set nationally, with the current NZ minimum wage at NZ$23.95/hr (from 1 April 2026). Experienced cabinetmakers and joiners typically earn NZ$28–38/hr depending on experience, region and employer. Auckland and Wellington typically pay at the higher end.

Charge-out rates in NZ

NZ joinery workshops typically charge NZ$85–120/hr for shop fabrication labour and NZ$95–140/hr for on-site installation. These rates vary by region — Auckland workshops typically charge at the upper end of the range. Regional and rural workshops often charge lower rates but face higher material freight costs that may not fully offset the lower charge-out.

KiwiSaver as an employer cost

Employer KiwiSaver contributions (minimum 3.5% (from 1 April 2026) of gross earnings) add to your labour cost. Combined with ACC levies (approximately 0.5–1.5% depending on industry classification), paid annual holiday and other leave obligations and KiwiSaver, your total employment cost is materially above gross wage.

Note: For permanent employees, NZ law generally provides four weeks\' paid annual holiday after 12 months. An 8% pay-as-you-go holiday rate applies only in limited circumstances — certain fixed-term or genuinely irregular/intermittent employment arrangements. Use your actual leave entitlement structure in your cost modelling.

The supply side

The NZ joinery workforce is tight. Skilled cabinetmakers and joiners are in demand, and the market has absorbed significant immigration of trade workers. If you're looking to hire, expect competitive market rates and consider what your business offers beyond wage — training, stable workload, good machinery, and a professional working environment all matter to good candidates.