Forget the rest, NZ IT market pays the best...

The IT market experienced 7.5% employment growth during the past three months, according to Trade Me Jobs analysis of listings in the April-June quarter.

All regions across the country recorded growth in the number of jobs advertised, with the IT sector on average offering the highest rates of pay by job.

Demanding an average salary of $139,476, IT architects are the biggest earners nationwide, closely followed by IT project managers ($132,857), IT managers ($123,164) and IT sales and pre-sales workers ($122,418).

Head of Trade Me Jobs, Peter Osborne, says the number of job listings nationwide was up 19% on the same period in 2013, continuing the healthy job market trend evident since the September quarter.

“Growth in listings has been very strong, despite the potential handbrake effect of the unusual combination of Easter and Anzac Day holidays in March, and a Budget that had a cooling effect on the number of jobs advertised in May,” he says.

Osborne adds most advertisers were upbeat; “We’re hearing plenty of optimistic reports from recruiters and employers, and the majority are planning to keep on hiring too.”

Improved economic and employment opportunities in New Zealand also contributed to the lowest ever level of migration to Australia in May.

“Kiwis are increasingly likely to stay in New Zealand which is good news for NZ Inc, and is also complemented by returning expats who have noticed things on the improve back here in New Zealand,” Osborne adds.

The national picture…

Osborne claims the lift in advertised roles in all regions was a “pretty unusual but very welcome” result with Auckland still shining brightly (up 21%), while Canterbury and Wellington maintained their considerable growth trajectories (up 21% and 15% respectively).

Waikato was another standout performer with job ad growth of 24%, and Otago comfortably reached double digits with a 16% lift.

In the sectors…

The demand for skilled workers is still high, with candidates in IT, engineering, construction and legal the most difficult to source.

“Anyone with decent skills in these areas holds the balance of power at present, and they’re in a great position if they are hunting for new opportunities,” Osborne claims.

Osborne says the average pay was flat at $60,881 nationally; “Pay levels holding firm is good news for employers, and a little unexpected given the tight labour market.

“If demand for workers continues to outstrip supply, wage inflation is inevitable as employers offer fatter pay packets in a bid to entice staff.”

Looking ahead…

Osborne says he remained upbeat about the coming months, adding; “We’re confident the market will continue to grow despite the cool-down in May.

“Employer confidence remains high and there are still a number of sectors where candidates are in short supply and set to drive underlying growth.

“The Christchurch rebuild remains a major contributor and we’re seeing a shift in the type of demand from construction relate roles to professional and infrastructure roles.”

He believes there was “no end in sight” for Auckland’s consistently high demand for skilled labour; “The City of Sails accounts for around 40% of all jobs advertised across the country, and will continue to be a beacon of opportunity.”