New Zealand ATC Salary
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New Zealand ATC Salary
Hi Everyone,
I am in my last year at uni in New Zealand and i am assessing my options for next year. I am very interested in ATC, and I was wondering if anyone could give me information on New Zealand ATC pay. The Airways New Zealand website states that you can expect around $60,000 in your first year, but how much is this likely to increase with experience? what can you expect to be earning after 5 years or so? Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
I am in my last year at uni in New Zealand and i am assessing my options for next year. I am very interested in ATC, and I was wondering if anyone could give me information on New Zealand ATC pay. The Airways New Zealand website states that you can expect around $60,000 in your first year, but how much is this likely to increase with experience? what can you expect to be earning after 5 years or so? Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
niknak
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The starting salary you quote is around £30K, not to bad, even given the wobbley state of the NZ economy.
As far as I am aware, the salary progression within the NZ ATC world isn't too dissimilar to the UK, which gives you the opportunity to earn a very good living as an ordianry ATCO or even more if you want to move into "management".
I am always suspicous about potential candidates whose first question is, "what about the money?"
What you should be aware of is what it takes to train and work as an ATCO, basically, if you aren't suited to the job you will never succeed in the training stage or afterwards as an operational ATCO.
All you need to know is that the job is stable, well paid, you can't take it home with you and it's very hard work to qualify.
Only a few make it.
As far as I am aware, the salary progression within the NZ ATC world isn't too dissimilar to the UK, which gives you the opportunity to earn a very good living as an ordianry ATCO or even more if you want to move into "management".
I am always suspicous about potential candidates whose first question is, "what about the money?"
What you should be aware of is what it takes to train and work as an ATCO, basically, if you aren't suited to the job you will never succeed in the training stage or afterwards as an operational ATCO.
All you need to know is that the job is stable, well paid, you can't take it home with you and it's very hard work to qualify.
Only a few make it.
Actually, the Kiwi dollar is even worse than that, in that it actually equates to £23,000.
But regardless, what's the point of converting it to British Pounds? He's living in New Zealand, working in NZ, and probably going to stay there for most of his life (before he sneaks over to Australia).
Earning NZ$60G is similar to earning about UK£42 comparatively, when the standard of living etc is taken into acocunt. Not a bad trade off when yu live in one of the best countries in the world (politicians aside).
J27, that's a great starting salary if true, and I wouldn't worry about the future wages right now. Just get stuck in and enjoy your job. You're on a good wicket.
But regardless, what's the point of converting it to British Pounds? He's living in New Zealand, working in NZ, and probably going to stay there for most of his life (before he sneaks over to Australia).
Earning NZ$60G is similar to earning about UK£42 comparatively, when the standard of living etc is taken into acocunt. Not a bad trade off when yu live in one of the best countries in the world (politicians aside).
J27, that's a great starting salary if true, and I wouldn't worry about the future wages right now. Just get stuck in and enjoy your job. You're on a good wicket.
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important consideration?
Before any suspicious types frown at a salary-conscious Kiwi, bear in mind the likely cost of his education. Quite apart from the large student loan which he likely owes, consider that he must fork out another $12K NZ for ATC training, plus shell out for another year's worth of living expenses etc. Perhaps the implicit question is not "how wealthy am I to become?", but instead "how soon shall I be out of debt?". 
Apart from that, points about reasonable income and quality of life are probably (still) quite valid.
Cheers,
Pig
Apart from that, points about reasonable income and quality of life are probably (still) quite valid.
Cheers,
Pig
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Airways generally advertises salaries as a 'total package'. I think you would find that the 60k advertised includes allowance made for Airways contribution to your Superannuation input and annual leave payment.
By my calculations looking at the salary schedule - at a domestic unit where you would be sent if you got through all the training and got your ticket would be somewhere in the early 50's plus super plus paid annual leave which would in fact give you around the 60k mark if you look at it like that.
After 5 years - and assuming you are still at a domestic unit this would have increased to the 60's plus super/annual leave.
The coin starts getting much better when you move ( and moving is entirely up to you after your initial posting) to an international tower or enroute/approach radar or Oceanic Control. If you stick it out for a good number of years you will easily be 6 figures if working on a sector other than domestic tower.
By my calculations looking at the salary schedule - at a domestic unit where you would be sent if you got through all the training and got your ticket would be somewhere in the early 50's plus super plus paid annual leave which would in fact give you around the 60k mark if you look at it like that.
After 5 years - and assuming you are still at a domestic unit this would have increased to the 60's plus super/annual leave.
The coin starts getting much better when you move ( and moving is entirely up to you after your initial posting) to an international tower or enroute/approach radar or Oceanic Control. If you stick it out for a good number of years you will easily be 6 figures if working on a sector other than domestic tower.
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Thanks for the replies everyone i appreciate it. I did not intend for it to seem as though money is my main priority, however as Mr Pig says i do have a fairly considerable student loan, which will increase further after ATC training.
I have done a fair bit of my own research and have discovered for myself many of the other factors which would influence my decision, its just the salary component has been pretty hard to find information on, hence the question.
Thanks for your help
I have done a fair bit of my own research and have discovered for myself many of the other factors which would influence my decision, its just the salary component has been pretty hard to find information on, hence the question.
Thanks for your help
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What are University Graduates taking home these days? 10 years back I started on $42K. Generic Degree, generic employment, nothing of note. Surely the decision to start studying again as an ATCO and paying for your living costs and fees for 12 months when you already have a student loan can't be terribly inticing?! I simply can not believe Airways haven't eliminated the $12K fee for the course yet. This should have been the first thing to happen when application numbers started to dwindle. Take home pay for a 1st year domestic unit controller is crap.
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Anyone able to give an update on current salaries / rosters etc. for experienced (18yrs) tower/approach/terminal controllers? Also seems to remember that Airways had similar staffing/management problems to Air Services - any update on that?
I do realise that, according to their site, there are no vacancies for experienced controllers at the moment - just checking the options. What with the 20% inflation forecast for this year and the exponential rent increases, Dubai is looking a bit less attractive!
Bonne Journée all,
Guy.
I do realise that, according to their site, there are no vacancies for experienced controllers at the moment - just checking the options. What with the 20% inflation forecast for this year and the exponential rent increases, Dubai is looking a bit less attractive!
Bonne Journée all,
Guy.
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Good on him/her for asking about the real money. All too often these days people are quoted a salary and naively go into a job thinking this will be their pay minus taxes only to find that it is a total package, super etc. This then leads to bitterness and a feeling of having been ripped off. Not a great way to start a career.
Of course before committing to what you would hope to be a lifetime career, you are entitled to know, or endeavour to find out, how much over the years you will take home and what lifestyle this job will support.
j27 have a good look, find out the real wages and I hope you have a good career, if you make it through.
Of course before committing to what you would hope to be a lifetime career, you are entitled to know, or endeavour to find out, how much over the years you will take home and what lifestyle this job will support.
j27 have a good look, find out the real wages and I hope you have a good career, if you make it through.
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Max1
Too true. For many all her life Auntie Airways has spoken with a forked tounge.
Part of your package is contributions to the MBF (loss of licence). The boys and girls who have managed this part of the total package have done so well they need to give some back. Auntie thinks not, and wants the money for her own coffers. How can it be part of the total package if you don't have ownership of it?
If you go to NZ, you are heading there for the lifestyle. There are plenty of skilled and semi-skilled workers who earn as much if not more than the average ATCO. It is only after 20 odd years of pushing tin that you start to get any real money, and then IRD will take a fair bit of it off you.
Too true. For many all her life Auntie Airways has spoken with a forked tounge.
Part of your package is contributions to the MBF (loss of licence). The boys and girls who have managed this part of the total package have done so well they need to give some back. Auntie thinks not, and wants the money for her own coffers. How can it be part of the total package if you don't have ownership of it?
If you go to NZ, you are heading there for the lifestyle. There are plenty of skilled and semi-skilled workers who earn as much if not more than the average ATCO. It is only after 20 odd years of pushing tin that you start to get any real money, and then IRD will take a fair bit of it off you.
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... and then you go offshore, eh PP?!
By the way, I visited Aunty a month or so ago. Surprisingly similar to previous version, but more smiling faces than expected - even amongst your former colleagues
By the way, I visited Aunty a month or so ago. Surprisingly similar to previous version, but more smiling faces than expected - even amongst your former colleagues
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As frustrating as AirNoServices is at the moment, at least it pays around $30K per annum for college training and arounf $55k for field training ($70K+ on initial endorsement). Loss of licence insurance is now controlled by us and paid for through our union dues. There is an option if not in the union to have the company pay for it, but very few are in this situation.
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<<Actually, the Kiwi dollar is even worse than that, in that it actually equates to £23,000.>>
It's not really fair to equate their salaries with those in the UK. The cost of living in NZ is somewhat lower than over here - or it was on the occasions when I've been there. Heck, a huge ice cream cone costs the equivalent of about 75p and that's good enough for me!
It's not really fair to equate their salaries with those in the UK. The cost of living in NZ is somewhat lower than over here - or it was on the occasions when I've been there. Heck, a huge ice cream cone costs the equivalent of about 75p and that's good enough for me!
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Current salaries (Basic + penal rates but everything else on top of this) are the following
New controller (step 1) in domestic tower about $63K
Overseas Controller (Step 5 while training Step 8 once rated)
- on to Area Radar $100K
- on to App Radar $110K (BAY or OH) seems to be where most get put.
App Radar controller on Auckland is the most. Step 20 (top) controller is about $135K but some of these are earning close to $150K all up.
Of course the government wants their share of this as well. Leaves enough to be off the bread line but not to live like a king.
New controller (step 1) in domestic tower about $63K
Overseas Controller (Step 5 while training Step 8 once rated)
- on to Area Radar $100K
- on to App Radar $110K (BAY or OH) seems to be where most get put.
App Radar controller on Auckland is the most. Step 20 (top) controller is about $135K but some of these are earning close to $150K all up.
Of course the government wants their share of this as well. Leaves enough to be off the bread line but not to live like a king.
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Return?
Monsieur le Petit Pompier,
Non, je ne reviens pas (I think that's right?); just catching up with a few bods. Am happy enough in the land of the long white winter for the mo'. But one should always evaluate options, I guess.
cheers,
Pig
Non, je ne reviens pas (I think that's right?); just catching up with a few bods. Am happy enough in the land of the long white winter for the mo'. But one should always evaluate options, I guess.
cheers,
Pig