In the accounting and finance and banking and financial services sectors, a commercial manager can earn up to $70,000 more in Auckland while a financial controller can earn $40,000 extra. Several New Zealand banks' head offices are in Auckland, including BNZ, ASB and HSBC.
In sales and marketing, a communications manager in Wellington can expect up to $40,000 more than an Aucklander while human resources consultants may see up to $50,000 more in their pay cheque.
A manager in IT can command up to $30,000 more in Wellington than someone in the same job in Auckland.
Secretarial and business support workers earned similar wages in the two cities.
The managing director of recruiting company Hays, Jason Walker, who is in Auckland, said more companies' head offices with their highly paid executives were based in Wellington to be close to the Government departments they serviced.
Those in the civil service tended to stay in their jobs longer.
"In Auckland there's a lot more immigration, there's a lot more transient workforce than we see in the Wellington region," Mr Walker said.
"The majority of work down there is Government. Government employees tend to be a lot more loyal than the private sector.
"In terms of tenure, you might have somebody on a significantly higher package than they might be if they moved into a similar type of role for the first time."
Wellington-based senior consultant Daina Edmonds of Kinetic Recruitment, which has offices in both cities, put the differences down to the recent merging of Government departments in Wellington.
The moves had seen several contractors hired during the transition, she said.
"Like with most contractors, you can typically get a higher salary for a shorter period of time."
Tale of two cities: Where to get the best pay packet
Accounting and finance
* Financial controller - Auckland $120,000-$200,000, Wellington $120,000 - $170,000
* Commercial manager - Auckland $110,000-$200,000, Wellington $100,000-$130,000
* Tax accountant - Auckland $80,000-100,000, Wellington $100,000-$140,000
* Auditor - Auckland $50,000-$65,000, Wellington $60,000-$85,000
Banking and financial services
* Financial controller (6+ years experience) - Auckland $120,000-$180,000, Wellington $90,000-$140,000
* Product controller - Auckland $85,000-$130,000, Wellington $90,000-$140,000
* Fund administrator - Auckland $40,000-$55,000, Wellington $50,000-$60,000
Sales and marketing
* National sales manager - Auckland $120,000-$150,000, Wellington $110,000-$180,000
* Business development manager - Auckland $80,000-$110,000, Wellington $60-$150,000
* Communications manager - Auckland $90,000-$110,000, Wellington $80,000-$150,000
* Marketing manager - Auckland $100,000-$130,000, Wellington $85,000-$150,000
Information technology
* Project manager (5+years experience) Auckland $110,000-$125,000, Wellington $100,000-$140,000
* Manager IT operations - Auckland $100,000-$120,000, Wellington $120,000-$150,000
* Help desk/desktop support/apps support (3-5 years experience) - Auckland $55,000-$65,000, Wellington $55,000-$80,000
Human resources
* HR manager - Auckland $90,000-$150,000, Wellington $110,000-$175,000
* Recruitment manager- Auckland $80,000-$120,000, Wellington $95,000-$130,000
* HR consultant - Auckland $70,000-$100,000, Wellington $85,000-$150,000
* HR advisor - Auckland $60,000-$85,000, Wellington $70,000-$110,000
Secretarial and business support
* Executive assistant - Auckland, $55,000-$90,000, Wellington $60,000-$85,000
* Office manager - Auckland $48,000-$75,000, Wellington $55,000-$80,000
* Receptionist - Auckland $31,000-42,000, Wellington $31,000-$45,000
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