Wage gap is closing, predicts jobs expert

Wairarapa's long-time pay gap with Wellington is closing rapidly, a local recruitment leader says.

Salaries on offer in the capital increased 1.5 per cent since January this year, national jobsite SEEK revealed in its biannual salary report yesterday [27/06].

Wairarapa-specific figures were unavailable.

The $79,412 salary average was based on jobs advertised though seek.co.nz where 2501 job vacancies are currently listed across the Wellington region.

Gracie Howard, director at Keystone Talent recruitment agency, said the Wairarapa economy was recovering.

"Job seekers struggle because ... historically we've always had [salaries] 25 per cent lower than Wellington CBD."

But Wairarapa was catching up fast, she said.

"We're increasing now, particularly for the very skilled labour, and we're actually reaching a 15 per cent disparity with Wellington CBD."

This had happened in the last eight to 12 months, she said.

Areas of growth were mostly in IT, accounting and senior management - industries which traditionally suffered from job shortages.

For people sick of the daily commute to Wellington, new business opportunities were now paving the way for the Wairarapa as a place to work, she said.

"I have seen businesses increasing their staff. [They] are are doing very well here."

Sixty per cent of the job opportunities were new roles, and 40 per cent replacements, she said.

According to SEEK's report, the average Kiwi wage rose $1000 over the last five months.

The average salary for jobs listed on seek.co.nz is now $72,731 - 1.3 per cent higher than in January this year.

"Rising employer confidence in the economy is slowly filtering through to the job market resulting in increased wages and more opportunities for job hunters," said Janet Faulding, general manager of SEEK New Zealand.

"Businesses across all sectors and of all sizes are telling us that they are doing well at the moment and we expect to see further modest increases in salaries to attract and retain talent this year."

Figures show Taranaki is currently the highest paid region with an average of $80,269 - thanks to its thriving mining, resources and energy sector.

While jobs in mining, resources and energy command the highest salaries, science and technology experienced the most growth with a 17 per cent increase in salary levels in the last five months, according to the report.

Another SEEK study showed money was a big factor for most employees.

More than 50 per cent of the 1500 full-time Kiwi employees surveyed said a pay rise or bonus would keep them in their current job. However,salaries were not a priority for Wairarapa job hunters, said SEEK spokeswoman Sarah Howard.

APNZ

Wairarapa jobs

Average Wellington salary in May 2013 (which includes Wairarapa) was $79,412 - 1.5 per cent increase from January 2013

Wairarapa's unemployment rate for the quarter ending March 2013 was 5.8 per cent

SEEK could not provide the number of jobs currently advertised for the Wairarapa region as they are included in the Wellington figure of 2501

Source: SEEK and Stats NZ