Hospitality sector wages continue to grow according to the results of the 2025 Remuneration Survey conducted by the Restaurant Association, Hospitality New Zealand and the Hotel Council Aotearoa.
Based on data from nearly 14,000 employees across more than 100 roles, the report highlights steady increases in both hourly and salaried pay, as well as clear progression opportunities across kitchen and front-of-house roles — reinforcing hospitality as a sector where workers can build meaningful and rewarding careers.
Wage Costs Hit 40 Percent
At the same time, the data shows that rising wage levels are contributing to increasing cost pressures for employers. Wage costs now average 40 per cent of total revenue — a figure that demonstrates the financial challenge of maintaining fair pay while operating in a high- cost, low-margin environment.
“Our latest remuneration survey reflects a sector that is steadily moving forward,” said Marisa Bidois, CEO of the Restaurant Association. “Despite continued cost pressures and tight operating margins, hospitality businesses are prioritising wage growth and creating structured pathways for career progression.”
The average hourly wage across the industry now sits at $27.84 — up 2.54 per cent from the previous year. Salaried roles have also edged up to an average of $83,415.
Clear Wage Progression
The report shows clear wage progression in both kitchen and front-of-house roles. Entry-level positions start close to the minimum wage, but move upward through well-established role tiers — with Head Chefs earning up to $46.62/hour and General Managers averaging $133,208 annually. Front-of-house roles follow a similar path, with senior management roles reaching $45/hour or more.
“These figures show that hospitality is not just a job — it’s a sector where you can build a rewarding career,” continued Bidois. “Whether you’re starting out or already in leadership, there are opportunities to grow and earn more.”
The 2025 report also identifies regional and business-type differences:-
- Caterers and bar operators offer some of the highest hourly rates, at $32.95 and $30.90 respectively
- Queenstown and Hawke’s Bay continue to lead in key roles — with Hawke’s Bay Head
- Chefs earning $41.51/hour and Gisborne Restaurant Managers at $40/hour
- Auckland remains the largest employer, with the second highest average hourly wage at $28.35 and strong demand across all role types
Tipping also continues to supplement income for some roles, with restaurant managers earning an average of $103.94 in weekly tips and wait staff averaging $118.
While the continued wage growth is a positive trend, Bidois says it must be viewed in the wider context of rising operating costs. “When wage costs reach 40 per cent of revenue — before factoring in rent, food, utilities, and other overheads — it leaves very little margin for error. Businesses are doing everything they can to stay competitive while looking after their people.”
Detailed Insights
The full 2025 Remuneration Report includes detailed insights by role, region, and business type, and is designed to support operators with benchmarking, planning, and staffing decisions.
A copy of the full report is available via the Restaurant Association’s website: www.restaurantnz.co.nz.