2024’s Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs

As we move into 2025, certain industries continue to offer some of the highest-paying career opportunities. Based on ZEIL’s 2024 data, we’ve identified the top sectors where skilled professionals are earning top dollar. Here’s a quick rundown of these lucrative industries and how you can find high-paying jobs on ZEIL.

Roles in this industry: Security Infrastructure Engineer, Senior Software Engineer, Data Scientist

Security Infrastructure Engineer Pay on ZEIL: 315K per year

• A Security Infrastructure Engineer designs, implements, and maintains security measures to protect an organisation's IT infrastructure from threats and vulnerabilities.

Qualifications in NZ:

• Security Infrastructure Engineers generally need a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology (IT), Network Engineering, or a related field is typical. Also relevant certifications (such as CISSP, CompTIA Security+, or Certified Cloud Security Professional) are often required.
• Software Engineers generally need a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Data Scientists typically require a Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, or Mathematics, along with experience in data analysis and machine learning tools.

Find Jobs on ZEIL: Explore roles in Information & Communication Technology (ICT).

Top Companies on ZEIL in this field: Accenture New Zealand, Invisible Technologies, DXC Technology NZ Ltd, Absolut IT.

Roles in this industry: Dentist, Surgeon, Pathologist.

Dentist Role Pay on ZEIL: $312K per year

• Dentists study and treat diseases, injuries and problems of the mouth, teeth, gums and jaw. They also educate patients on how to avoid oral health problems. (Careers.govt.nz, 2025)

Qualifications in NZ:

• Surgeons require a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB), followed by specialty training and examinations to become a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand.
• Dentists must have a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc), plus registration with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
• Pathologists typically need a MBChB followed by a specialty in pathology and registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand.

Find Jobs on ZEIL: Browse healthcare roles, from clinical to managerial positions, on our platform.

Top Companies on ZEIL in this field: Lumino The Dentist, Fisher & Pykal Healthcare, Metlifecare, Geneva, Access Community Health

Roles in this industry: General Manager, Project Manager, Operations Director

General Manager Role Pay on ZEIL: $300K per year

• A General Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a specific department, business unit, or standalone location. Their key duties include leading staff, creating and enforcing operational policies, managing budgets, and ensuring that strategic goals are met to keep the business functioning effectively.

Qualifications in NZ:

• General Managers typically hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, or Marketing, with significant managerial experience.
• Project Managers require a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Construction, Engineering, or IT, along with Project Management Professional (PMP) or PRINCE2 certification.
• Operations Directors usually need qualifications in Business Administration, Management, or Engineering, with proven leadership experience.

Find Jobs on ZEIL: Explore managerial opportunities in various industries with competitive salaries.

Top Companies on ZEIL in this field: Halter, Westpac, ASB Bank Limited

Roles in this industry: Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Structural Engineer

Senior Engineer Role Pay on ZEIL: 280K per year

• Engineers apply scientific principles to analyse, design, invent, code, build, and create to solve all sorts of problems and make the world a better place (Michigan Tech, 2025).

Qualifications in NZ:

• Engineers generally need a Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Electrical or Civil Engineering, and to practice as a chartered engineer, along with registration with Engineering New Zealand.

Find Jobs on ZEIL: Check out engineering job listings for high-paying roles in energy, tech, and infrastructure.

Top Companies on ZEIL in this field: Holmes, GHD, Alexander Knight Recruitment, Construction & Technical

Roles in this industry: Investment Banker, CFO, Financial Analyst, Risk Manager

CFO Role Pay on ZEIL: 250K Per year

• The CFO is a financial controller who handles everything relating to cash flow, financial planning, and taxation issues. A CFO is often the highest financial position and the third-highest position in a company, playing a vital role in the company's strategic initiatives (Investopedia, 2025).

Qualifications in NZ:

• Investment Bankers and Financial Analysts typically need a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance, Economics, or Accounting and often postgraduate study in Master of Finance, MBA, CPA (Chartered Public Accountant) CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst).
• Risk Managers need a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance, Economics, or Accounting with professional risk management certifications such as FRM (Financial Risk Manager) or PRM (Professional Risk Manager).

Find Jobs on ZEIL: Look for high-paying finance roles, from banking to investment and corporate finance.

Top Companies on ZEIL in this field: Westpac, ASB Bank Limited, BNZ, Heartland Bank

Roles in this industry: General Counsel, Corporate Lawyer, Patent Attorney

Head of Legal - General Counsel Pay range on ZEIL: 250K per year

• Developing and implementing legal procedures and policies to ensure the company's compliance with applicable laws. Drafting, negotiating and vetting contracts, legal documents and agreements. Conducting legal research to ensure their organisation is up-to-date with the latest legal changes.

Qualifications in NZ:

• Corporate Lawyers must have a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and be admitted to the New Zealand Bar after completing a Professional Legal Studies course.
• Patent Attorneys typically need an LLB plus further qualifications in intellectual property law, and must register with the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ).
• General Counsels often require an LLB with significant experience in corporate law, often gained in-house or through private practice.

Find Jobs on ZEIL: Browse legal job listings for top-paying positions across various law sectors.

Top Companies on ZEIL in this field: Bell Gully, MinterEllison, Russell McVeagh, K3 Legal.

Roles in this industry: Architect, Urban Planner, Landscape Architect

Architect Role Pay on ZEIL: 235K per year

• As Head of Legal, you will provide legal guidance across a wide range of areas including contracts, compliance, litigation, employment law, and intellectual property, while overseeing the legal department's operations. You'll be responsible for mitigating legal risks, developing policies to ensure compliance, and managing legal training for staff. Additionally, you will draft and negotiate contracts, represent the company in legal proceedings, and stay up-to-date on legislative changes affecting the business (Totally Legal, 2024).

Qualifications in NZ:

• Architects must have a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture followed by a Master’s in Architecture, and be registered with the New Zealand Registered Architects Board.
• Urban Planners typically require a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or a related field, often with experience in urban development.
• Landscape Architects need a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture and professional membership with the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA).

Find Jobs on ZEIL: Find architecture and planning roles that offer rewarding salaries and career growth.

Top Companies on ZEIL in this field: GDP Limited.

Roles in this industry: Sales Director, Account Manager, Business Development Manager

Sales Contractor Role Pay on ZEIL: 230K per year

• Sales representatives promote, market and sell products or services to business and professional establishments, or wholesale or retail outlets (Careers.govt.nz, 2025).

Qualifications in NZ:

• Sales people typically hold a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Marketing, or a related field, with extensive sales leadership experience.

Find Jobs on ZEIL: Search for sales roles in industries like tech, pharmacy, and retail with great compensation.

Top Companies on ZEIL in this field: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.

Roles in this industry: Mining Engineer, Petroleum Geologist, Renewable Energy Specialist

Mining Engineer Role Pay on ZEIL: 225K per year

• Mining engineers plan, prepare, design and manage the development of opencast (above ground) or underground mines (Careers.govt.nz, 2025).

Qualifications in NZ:

• Mining Engineers typically need a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)
• Renewable Energy Specialists need a degree in Environmental Science, Energy Science & Technology, or Engineering, with a focus on sustainable energy systems.

Find Jobs on ZEIL: Explore high-paying positions in mining, energy, and renewables on our platform.

Top Companies on ZEIL in this field: Contact Energy, Connetics, SolarZero

Roles in this industry: Senior Accountant, CPA, Financial Controller

Senior Accountant Role Pay on ZEIL: 200K per year

• Accountants provide accounting services to companies, organisations and individuals. They prepare financial statements and forms, and advise clients on financial aspects of business (Careers.govt.nz, 2025).

Qualifications in NZ:

• Senior Accountants generally need a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Accounting or Finance, along with membership in Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).

Find Jobs on ZEIL: Explore high-paying accounting roles from entry-level to senior positions.

Top Companies on ZEIL in this field: EY, Findex NZ, BDO NZ LTD, Baker Tilly Staples Rodway.

These sectors represent the highest-paying job opportunities for 2024. If you're ready to take your career to the next level, ZEIL is your go-to platform. Whether you're in tech, healthcare, finance, or another field, we have the tools to help you find high-paying jobs that match your skills and experience.

Start your job search today on ZEIL!