NZ Tradie Hourly Rates 2026 — All Trades, All Cities

Trade

NZ Average

🏗️ Builders & LBPs

$90–$130

$85–$125

$75–$110

$80–$110

$85–$120

$65–$85

$60–$80

$80–$100

—

$80–$110

$82–$115

$85–$115

$110–$160

$70–$95

$90–$125

$88–$120

$88–$122

$78–$105

$72–$98

$81–$112

🔧 Plumbers & Gasfitters

$120–$160

$110–$150

$90–$130

$85–$120

$80–$120

$95–$120

$90–$130

$90–$120

$88–$118

$88–$120

$120–$180

$78–$105

$95–$130

$92–$125

$90–$125

$82–$112

$80–$108

$92–$127

⚡ Electricians

$90–$140

$85–$130

$80–$120

$80–$115

$75–$90

$85–$110

$90–$120

$90–$115

$75–$105

$85–$115

$85–$118

$88–$120

$110–$160

$75–$100

$92–$125

$88–$120

$88–$118

$80–$108

$78–$105

$85–$117

🖌️ Painters & Decorators

$35–$65

$40–$65

$35–$60

$35–$55

$40–$60

$42–$65

$40–$62

$42–$65

$55–$78

$55–$80

$58–$80

$70–$95

$52–$70

$60–$85

$58–$82

$52–$72

$50–$70

$49–$72

🏠 Roofers & Roof Tilers

—

$78–$105

$78–$108

$80–$110

$82–$112

$80–$110

$110–$160

$70–$95

$88–$118

$85–$115

$78–$105

$72–$98

$81–$112

🌿 Landscapers & Garden Designers

$85–$120

$80–$115

$75–$105

$70–$95

$75–$100

$70–$95

$68–$90

$70–$95

$68–$92

$70–$95

$68–$90

$72–$98

$80–$110

$65–$88

$75–$100

$72–$98

$73–$100

$68–$90

$72–$98

🪚 Carpenters & Joiners

$95–$130

$88–$125

$80–$115

$75–$105

$78–$108

$73–$100

$70–$98

$72–$100

$70–$98

$72–$100

$70–$98

$72–$100

$100–$145

$68–$92

$82–$115

$80–$112

$68–$92

$77–$107

🔥 Gasfitters

$120–$160

$115–$155

$105–$148

$98–$140

$100–$145

$95–$138

$92–$132

$95–$135

$92–$132

$95–$138

$92–$132

$95–$138

$95–$135

$120–$165

$90–$130

$108–$150

$105–$148

$88–$128

$90–$130

$100–$141

🚰 Drainlayers

$130–$180

$122–$170

$112–$155

$105–$148

$108–$152

$100–$142

$98–$138

$100–$140

$98–$138

$100–$142

$98–$138

$100–$142

$130–$180

$95–$135

$115–$160

$112–$155

$95–$135

$106–$149

Why Rates Vary by City

Auckland consistently has the highest tradie rates in New Zealand, driven by higher overheads, longer travel times, and strong demand. Wellington rates are typically 5–15% below Auckland. Christchurch and Hamilton sit in the mid-range, while smaller cities like Invercargill, Gisborne, and Whanganui tend to have the lowest rates — though smaller contractor pools can mean less competitive quotes for specialist work.

What's Included in These Rates

Labour only — materials, consent fees, and site costs are additional
Standard hours — after-hours and emergency rates are typically 50–100% higher
Experienced tradespeople — apprentice rates are typically 30–50% lower
Ex GST unless stated — add 15% for GST-registered tradies

How to Use These Rates

Use this table as a sanity check on quotes, not as a fixed price guide. A quote significantly below the typical range may indicate a less experienced operator or one cutting corners on compliance. A quote well above range warrants asking for a breakdown.

For job-specific pricing (e.g. bathroom renovation, deck, re-roofing), use our job cost estimator which applies city-specific multipliers to typical job costs.

Find Top-Rated Tradies by City

Auckland Wellington Christchurch Hamilton Tauranga Dunedin Palmerston North Napier Hastings New Plymouth Rotorua Whangārei Nelson Queenstown Invercargill Lower Hutt Upper Hutt Porirua Gisborne Whanganui