Hi Anita,
What kind of work are you looking for? If you are looking to work as a Commercial Pilot or a Flight Instructor you will have to convert your licenses to FAA licence before anyone can hire you.
The licence conversion is an easy process and in you case it will be training as requird. To be able to convert your licence to FAA licence I suggest that you follow these steps:
1) Get yourself a FAA Class II medical.
2) Convert your licence on the basis of your NZ licence at PPL level. You can find the licence converstion form at
FAA licence conversion form.
3) Once you have your PPL issued, you will have to pass the Instrument written exam and Instrument rating flight test. You will have to do a minimum of 3 hours of flight instruction with an FAA CFII (assuming you meet all the other requirements).
4) Pass the Commercial written exam and 3 hours of flight training with an CFI and pass the Commercial pilot flight test.
5) Pass Fundamentals of Instruction and Flight Instructor written exams, training as required with a CFI (only an CFI with 200 hours of minimum instruction given and min 2 years of instruction can sign you off for the flight test) and pass the CFI flight test.
6) If you wish to become an Instrument Instructor (CFII)- pass the Instrument instructor written exam, training as required and then the flight test.
7) If you want MEP rating, training as required and flight test.
8) If you want MEI rating, training as required and flight test.
9) You can skip step two if you are willing to pass the written exam and flight test.
After doing all this you will be employable in the USA as a flight instructor. Average starting salary varies from $10 per hour to $20 per hour. Most of the flight schools pay you by the hour and there is no base salary. However, there are a few schools that offer base salary as well.
Now if you are looking for work as a Pilot you can skip the steps for FI ratings. The licence conversion process can cost anywhere between $3,000 to $10,000 (just an estimate) depending on your flying skills, the ratings that you want to achieve and of course the school you go to.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jatin