Jobs that grew most in New Zealand
The groups of jobs that added the most workers between the 2018 and 2023 Censuses. This is past growth, not a forecast. Beside each career is TEC's own label for how the number of people doing it changed; careers TEC marks as decreasing are left out.
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Most workers added, 2018 to 2023
Software and Applications Programmers: +11,112
Workers in 2018: 27,834 · Workers in 2023: 38,946 · Change 2018 to 2023: +39.9%
Blockchain engineer (increase), Computer programmer, Database architect (increase), Penetration tester, Software developer (strong increase), Test analyst (steady), User experience designer
Registered Nurses: +8,955
Workers in 2018: 36,291 · Workers in 2023: 45,246 · Change 2018 to 2023: +24.7%
Clinical nurse specialist (steady), Nurse practitioner, Registered nurse (steady)
Welfare Support Workers: +7,026
Workers in 2018: 18,930 · Workers in 2023: 25,956 · Change 2018 to 2023: +37.1%
Probation officer (increase), Youth worker (increase)
Construction Managers: +6,066
Workers in 2018: 44,121 · Workers in 2023: 50,187 · Change 2018 to 2023: +13.7%
Construction manager (strong increase)
Call or Contact Centre Workers: +6,024
Workers in 2018: 4,599 · Workers in 2023: 10,623 · Change 2018 to 2023: +131%
Customer service representative (steady)
Medical Technicians: +5,760
Workers in 2018: 6,783 · Workers in 2023: 12,543 · Change 2018 to 2023: +84.9%
Anaesthetic technician (increase), Audio visual technician (increase), Audiometrist (steady), Cardiac technician (strong increase), Medical laboratory pre-analytical technician (steady), Medical laboratory technician (strong increase), Orthotic and prosthetic technician (strong increase), Pharmacy technician (increase)
Carpenters and Joiners: +5,454
Workers in 2018: 18,234 · Workers in 2023: 23,688 · Change 2018 to 2023: +29.9%
Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians: +5,175
Workers in 2018: 8,268 · Workers in 2023: 13,443 · Change 2018 to 2023: +62.6%
Building inspector (increase), Geographic information systems technician (strong increase)
Advertising and Marketing Professionals: +5,025
Workers in 2018: 14,256 · Workers in 2023: 19,281 · Change 2018 to 2023: +35.2%
Market research analyst (steady), Marketing specialist (strong increase)
ICT Managers: +4,860
Workers in 2018: 10,875 · Workers in 2023: 15,735 · Change 2018 to 2023: +44.7%
Information technology manager (strong increase), Information technology project manager (increase)
Human Resource Professionals: +4,833
Workers in 2018: 9,765 · Workers in 2023: 14,598 · Change 2018 to 2023: +49.5%
Employment relations adviser (strong increase), Human resources specialist (increase)
Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers: +4,791
Workers in 2018: 35,115 · Workers in 2023: 39,906 · Change 2018 to 2023: +13.6%
Hospital orderly (increase)
Retail Supervisors: +4,407
Workers in 2018: 5,538 · Workers in 2023: 9,945 · Change 2018 to 2023: +79.6%
Retail supervisor (steady)
Intelligence and Policy Analysts: +4,344
Workers in 2018: 7,890 · Workers in 2023: 12,234 · Change 2018 to 2023: +55.1%
Climate change policy analyst, Intelligence officer, Policy analyst (strong increase)
Electricians: +4,341
Workers in 2018: 20,259 · Workers in 2023: 24,600 · Change 2018 to 2023: +21.4%
Electrician (increase), Industrial electrician (strong increase), Lift technician (strong increase)
Training and Development Professionals: +4,035
Workers in 2018: 2,208 · Workers in 2023: 6,243 · Change 2018 to 2023: +182.7%
Training and development adviser (strong increase)
Secondary School Teachers: +4,008
Workers in 2018: 24,996 · Workers in 2023: 29,004 · Change 2018 to 2023: +16%
Secondary school teacher (increase)
Education Aides: +3,945
Workers in 2018: 18,615 · Workers in 2023: 22,560 · Change 2018 to 2023: +21.2%
Learning support assistant (steady), Teacher aide (steady)
Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks: +3,804
Workers in 2018: 15,447 · Workers in 2023: 19,251 · Change 2018 to 2023: +24.6%
Production coordinator (increase), Purchasing officer (steady)
Civil Engineering Professionals: +3,621
Workers in 2018: 17,124 · Workers in 2023: 20,745 · Change 2018 to 2023: +21.1%
Civil engineer (steady), Quantity surveyor (increase), Transport engineer (strong increase), Water and wastewater engineer (strong increase)
Primary School Teachers: +3,393
Workers in 2018: 33,744 · Workers in 2023: 37,137 · Change 2018 to 2023: +10.1%
Primary school teacher (steady)
Fast Food Cooks: +2,703
Workers in 2018: 2,613 · Workers in 2023: 5,316 · Change 2018 to 2023: +103.4%
Fast food cook (strong increase), Fast food worker (steady)
Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers: +2,658
Workers in 2018: 39,447 · Workers in 2023: 42,105 · Change 2018 to 2023: +6.7%
Advertising manager, Marketing manager (steady), Public relations manager (strong increase), Sales manager (steady)
Automobile Drivers: +2,658
Workers in 2018: 8,721 · Workers in 2023: 11,379 · Change 2018 to 2023: +30.5%
Shuttle driver and chauffeur, Taxi driver (steady)
ICT Business and Systems Analysts: +2,604
Workers in 2018: 15,288 · Workers in 2023: 17,892 · Change 2018 to 2023: +17%
Computer and information scientist (increase), Computer systems analyst (steady)
Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers: +2,421
Workers in 2018: 3,408 · Workers in 2023: 5,829 · Change 2018 to 2023: +71%
Corporate treasurer (strong increase), Fraud investigator (increase)
Environmental Scientists: +2,307
Workers in 2018: 4,551 · Workers in 2023: 6,858 · Change 2018 to 2023: +50.7%
Ecologist (strong increase), Environmental scientist (increase), Ranger (increase)
Private Tutors and Teachers: +2,214
Workers in 2018: 5,169 · Workers in 2023: 7,383 · Change 2018 to 2023: +42.8%
Private teacher (steady), Tutor
Health and Welfare Services Managers: +2,211
Workers in 2018: 2,388 · Workers in 2023: 4,599 · Change 2018 to 2023: +92.6%
Medical and health services manager (increase), Social and community service manager (strong increase)
Plumbers: +2,181
Workers in 2018: 12,444 · Workers in 2023: 14,625 · Change 2018 to 2023: +17.5%
Drainlayer (increase), Plumber (increase)
Fastest growing, 2018 to 2023
Growth from 2018 to 2023, for groups with at least 5,000 workers in 2023.
Training and Development Professionals: +182.7%
Workers in 2018: 2,208 · Workers in 2023: 6,243 · Change 2018 to 2023: +182.7%
Training and development adviser (strong increase)
Call or Contact Centre Workers: +131%
Workers in 2018: 4,599 · Workers in 2023: 10,623 · Change 2018 to 2023: +131%
Customer service representative (steady)
Fast Food Cooks: +103.4%
Workers in 2018: 2,613 · Workers in 2023: 5,316 · Change 2018 to 2023: +103.4%
Fast food cook (strong increase), Fast food worker (steady)
Medical Technicians: +84.9%
Workers in 2018: 6,783 · Workers in 2023: 12,543 · Change 2018 to 2023: +84.9%
Anaesthetic technician (increase), Audio visual technician (increase), Audiometrist (steady), Cardiac technician (strong increase), Medical laboratory pre-analytical technician (steady), Medical laboratory technician (strong increase), Orthotic and prosthetic technician (strong increase), Pharmacy technician (increase)
Retail Supervisors: +79.6%
Workers in 2018: 5,538 · Workers in 2023: 9,945 · Change 2018 to 2023: +79.6%
Retail supervisor (steady)
Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers: +71%
Workers in 2018: 3,408 · Workers in 2023: 5,829 · Change 2018 to 2023: +71%
Corporate treasurer (strong increase), Fraud investigator (increase)
Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians: +62.6%
Workers in 2018: 8,268 · Workers in 2023: 13,443 · Change 2018 to 2023: +62.6%
Building inspector (increase), Geographic information systems technician (strong increase)
Intelligence and Policy Analysts: +55.1%
Workers in 2018: 7,890 · Workers in 2023: 12,234 · Change 2018 to 2023: +55.1%
Climate change policy analyst, Intelligence officer, Policy analyst (strong increase)
Environmental Scientists: +50.7%
Workers in 2018: 4,551 · Workers in 2023: 6,858 · Change 2018 to 2023: +50.7%
Ecologist (strong increase), Environmental scientist (increase), Ranger (increase)
Human Resource Professionals: +49.5%
Workers in 2018: 9,765 · Workers in 2023: 14,598 · Change 2018 to 2023: +49.5%
Employment relations adviser (strong increase), Human resources specialist (increase)
ICT Managers: +44.7%
Workers in 2018: 10,875 · Workers in 2023: 15,735 · Change 2018 to 2023: +44.7%
Information technology manager (strong increase), Information technology project manager (increase)
Private Tutors and Teachers: +42.8%
Workers in 2018: 5,169 · Workers in 2023: 7,383 · Change 2018 to 2023: +42.8%
Private teacher (steady), Tutor
Software and Applications Programmers: +39.9%
Workers in 2018: 27,834 · Workers in 2023: 38,946 · Change 2018 to 2023: +39.9%
Blockchain engineer (increase), Computer programmer, Database architect (increase), Penetration tester, Software developer (strong increase), Test analyst (steady), User experience designer
Inspectors and Regulatory Officers: +38.7%
Workers in 2018: 4,347 · Workers in 2023: 6,030 · Change 2018 to 2023: +38.7%
Animal control officer (strong increase), Customs officer (steady), Immigration officer (strong increase), Vehicle inspector (steady)
Welfare Support Workers: +37.1%
Workers in 2018: 18,930 · Workers in 2023: 25,956 · Change 2018 to 2023: +37.1%
Probation officer (increase), Youth worker (increase)
Advertising and Marketing Professionals: +35.2%
Workers in 2018: 14,256 · Workers in 2023: 19,281 · Change 2018 to 2023: +35.2%
Market research analyst (steady), Marketing specialist (strong increase)
Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists: +32.7%
Workers in 2018: 5,169 · Workers in 2023: 6,858 · Change 2018 to 2023: +32.7%
Database administrator (steady), Digital forensics analyst, Information security analyst (strong increase), Information security engineer (strong increase)
Automobile Drivers: +30.5%
Workers in 2018: 8,721 · Workers in 2023: 11,379 · Change 2018 to 2023: +30.5%
Shuttle driver and chauffeur, Taxi driver (steady)
Carpenters and Joiners: +29.9%
Workers in 2018: 18,234 · Workers in 2023: 23,688 · Change 2018 to 2023: +29.9%
Delivery Drivers: +29.5%
Workers in 2018: 5,538 · Workers in 2023: 7,170 · Change 2018 to 2023: +29.5%
Delivery driver (increase)
Physiotherapists: +25.8%
Workers in 2018: 4,482 · Workers in 2023: 5,637 · Change 2018 to 2023: +25.8%
Physiotherapist (increase)
ICT Support Technicians: +25.6%
Workers in 2018: 6,003 · Workers in 2023: 7,539 · Change 2018 to 2023: +25.6%
Information technology helpdesk and support technician (increase)
Registered Nurses: +24.7%
Workers in 2018: 36,291 · Workers in 2023: 45,246 · Change 2018 to 2023: +24.7%
Clinical nurse specialist (steady), Nurse practitioner, Registered nurse (steady)
Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks: +24.6%
Workers in 2018: 15,447 · Workers in 2023: 19,251 · Change 2018 to 2023: +24.6%
Production coordinator (increase), Purchasing officer (steady)
Architects and Landscape Architects: +22.3%
Workers in 2018: 7,437 · Workers in 2023: 9,099 · Change 2018 to 2023: +22.3%
Architect (increase), Landscape architect (increase)
Electricians: +21.4%
Workers in 2018: 20,259 · Workers in 2023: 24,600 · Change 2018 to 2023: +21.4%
Electrician (increase), Industrial electrician (strong increase), Lift technician (strong increase)
Education Aides: +21.2%
Workers in 2018: 18,615 · Workers in 2023: 22,560 · Change 2018 to 2023: +21.2%
Learning support assistant (steady), Teacher aide (steady)
Technical Sales Representatives: +21.2%
Workers in 2018: 4,821 · Workers in 2023: 5,844 · Change 2018 to 2023: +21.2%
Technical sales representative (steady)
Civil Engineering Professionals: +21.1%
Workers in 2018: 17,124 · Workers in 2023: 20,745 · Change 2018 to 2023: +21.1%
Civil engineer (steady), Quantity surveyor (increase), Transport engineer (strong increase), Water and wastewater engineer (strong increase)
Beauty Therapists: +20.1%
Workers in 2018: 5,274 · Workers in 2023: 6,336 · Change 2018 to 2023: +20.1%
Beauty therapist (increase), Nail technician (strong increase)
People employed by occupation from Stats NZ (via Figure.NZ): Census totals by topic for individuals 2013, 2018, 2023 (CEN23_TBT_004): employed by occupation, ANZSCO V1.3, summed to unit group (2023 Census (CEN23_TBT_004)), 2018 and 2023 Censuses, compared by ANZSCO unit group. Groups whose 2023 count changed mostly because of Stats NZ's new occupation coding are left out. Past change, not a forecast. Source
This content is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahatu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. All or some of the information has been modified by Peernovo. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this content.
Qualification information from NZQA, used under CC BY 3.0 NZ.
This work is based on/includes Stats NZ's data which are licensed by Stats NZ for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. Census data via Figure.NZ.
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Sources: Tertiary Education Commission, Tahatū Career Navigator (career ideas, pay estimates, entry requirements and study options, CC BY 4.0, modified by Peernovo); Stats NZ, 2023 Census (via Figure.NZ) and the National Occupation List (CC BY 4.0); NZQA qualification information (CC BY 3.0 NZ); O*NET interest scores (CC BY 4.0); ILO global generative AI exposure index (CC BY 4.0). Links between career ideas and ANZSCO groups, degree fields and broad job groups are Peernovo's.
These results are not official statistics. They have been created for research purposes from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), which is carefully managed by Stats NZ.
Graduate outcomes: these results are not official statistics. They have been created for research purposes from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), which is carefully managed by Stats NZ.