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NZ SMC wage threshold calculator
From 9 March 2026 the SMC wage threshold is $35.00 an hour. Each pathway uses a multiple of it. Enter your pay to see which ones you meet.
SMC wage thresholds over time (per hour)
| From | 1× | 1.1× | 1.2× | 1.5× | 2× | 3× |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 March 2026 – now | $35.00 | $38.50 | $42.00 | $52.50 | $70.00 | $105.00 |
| 18 August 2025 – 8 March 2026 | $33.56 | $36.91 | $40.27 | $50.34 | $67.12 | $100.68 |
| 28 February 2024 – 17 August 2025 | $31.61 | $34.77 | $37.93 | $47.41 | $63.22 | $94.83 |
| 27 February 2023 – 27 February 2024 | $29.66 | $32.62 | $35.59 | $44.49 | $59.32 | $88.98 |
| 24 October 2022 – 26 February 2023 | $27.76 | $30.53 | $33.31 | $41.64 | $55.52 | $83.28 |
| 19 July 2021 – 23 October 2022 | $27.00 | $29.70 | $32.40 | $40.50 | $54.00 | $81.00 |
| 24 February 2020 – 18 July 2021 | $25.50 | $28.05 | $30.60 | $38.25 | $51.00 | $76.50 |
Salaried jobs are converted to an hourly rate using the guaranteed hours in your employment agreement. INZ uses the threshold that was in force when you started the skilled work in New Zealand that you are counting (or when your work visa was granted, if you started within 5 months of that), so people who started earlier can qualify at a lower rate. INZ SR3.10.5
What each multiple is for
$35.00SMC wage threshold (1.0×): Points-based and Trades & Technician pathways, ANZSCO skill level 1–3
$38.501.1×: Skilled Work Experience pathway
$42.001.2×: Skilled Work Experience pathway, Amber List jobs
$52.501.5×: Points pathway for skill level 4–5 jobs; also 3 income points
$70.002×: 4 income points
$105.003×: 6 income points (enough on its own)
Green List Tier 2 roles use their own rates (median wage plus 15%, 30% or 50% for some trades). See the occupation page for the exact rule.