Graphic Designer Salary in Manawatu-Whanganui, New Zealand
Manawatu-Whanganui offers a median mid‑level graphic designer salary of NZ$59,000 per year. Mid‑level designers earn around that figure after a few years of agency or in‑house experience.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
NZ$47,000 to NZ$54,000
Average (per year)
NZ$50,000
Graduates join advertising agencies or educational publishers at entry-level salaries.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
NZ$54,000 to NZ$64,000
Average (per year)
NZ$59,000
Designers with several years of experience work at local firms or Massey University.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
NZ$64,000 to NZ$73,000
Average (per year)
NZ$68,000
Senior staff work for regional organizations and specialist print companies.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
NZ$73,000+
Lead designers work in established agencies or in-house at large employers.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
NZ$25 - NZ$35
per hour
Mid-level
NZ$35 - NZ$55
per hour
Senior
NZ$55 - NZ$80
per hour
Compared with the national median of about NZ$65,000, Manawatu-Whanganui sits slightly below.