Truck Driver Salaries in New Zealand

Salary estimated from 80 employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months. Last updated: 4 August 2020
Average salary
$23.69 per hour
●Meets national average
  • Most Reported
$12.00
$38.45
Salary Distribution

How much does a Truck Driver make in New Zealand?

The average salary for a Truck Driver is $23.69 per hour in New Zealand, which meets the national average. Salary estimates are based on 80 salaries submitted anonymously to Indeed by Truck Driver employees, users, and collected from past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months. The typical tenure for a Truck Driver is 1-3 years.

Different types of Truck Driver

Truck drivers can be divided into two primary groups: owner-operators and company drivers.

Owner-operators:

  • Earn a higher gross salary
  • Decide who can ride along and choose the truck to buy and drive
  • Have greater independence and schedule flexibility
  • Have to finance the vehicle themselves
  • Deal with more expenses: buying and maintaining the truck, taxes, paperwork and medical insurance
As a result of higher expenses, the higher gross salary owner-operators earn may not actually mean higher income.

Company drivers:

  • Enjoy benefits offered by employers such as medical, dental, life insurance, vision, retirement plans, paid vacation and holidays.
  • Generally avoid costs of vehicle purchase and maintenance
  • May have a more advantageous tax situation
  • May have less independence and schedule flexibility
As a result, company drivers may take home more net pay, however they have less flexibility and less job security.

Earn more as a Truck Driver

Truck drivers get different bonuses or benefits: referral and signing bonus, safety bonus, detention pay, layover pay, fuel-efficiency bonus, clean-DOT inspections bonus, monthly mileage bonus.

Ice road truck drivers, oversized load and hazmat truck drivers get a higher salary due to the high level of skill and specialization necessary to operate the vehicles. Over the road, or OTR, truck drivers earn a higher salary too. OTR truck drivers travel long hours all over the country and they have to respect road regulations in different states. OTR drivers can go back home anywhere from a couple of times a week to once every 4-8 weeks, depending on the job.

Truck Driver salaries by company in New Zealand
CompanyAverage salary
Allied Bulk Truck Driver
9 salaries
$28.22 per hour
NZ Staff Truck Driver
6 salaries
$25.00 per hour
On Demand Logistics Ltd Truck Driver
6 salaries
$24.50 per hour
Group Recruit Ltd Truck Driver
7 salaries
$24.44 per hour
United Movers Truck Driver
6 salaries
$24.25 per hour
Remarkable Labour Truck Driver
7 salaries
$23.06 per hour
Traffic Safe New Zealand Truck Driver
7 salaries
$20.09 per hour
9am People Truck Driver
5 salaries
$18.00 per hour
Geoffs Truck Driver
5 salaries
$18.00 per hour
Indus Recruitment Truck Driver
5 salaries
$18.00 per hour
12Next
Truck Driver salaries by location
CityAverage salary
Truck Driver in Auckland City
24 salaries
$24.57 per hour
Truck Driver in Manukau City
7 salaries
$23.82 per hour
Truck Driver in Otahuhu
9 salaries
$42,198 per year
Truck Driver in Onehunga
6 salaries
$20.85 per hour
Truck Driver in Takanini
5 salaries
$24.18 per hour
Please note that all salary figures are approximations based upon third party submissions to Indeed. These figures are given to the Indeed users for the purpose of generalised comparison only. Minimum wage may differ by jurisdiction and you should consult the employer for actual salary figures.

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