Home > Salary > New Zealand > Builder Operator
A builder operator is a skilled professional who specializes in operating heavy machinery and equipment to construct buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures. They are responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, cranes, loaders, and forklifts. Builders operators work closely with construction teams and project managers to execute plans, follow blueprints, and carry out excavation, grading, trenching, and material handling tasks. They must have a strong understanding of construction techniques, safety protocols, and equipment maintenance procedures. Attention to detail, physical stamina, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills are essential qualities for this occupation.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 63,589 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,299 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,223 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 31 NZD per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,106 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,178 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 29 NZD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03
Estimated Yearly Salary: 31,703 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 2,642 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 610 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 15 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 63,589 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,299 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,223 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 31 NZD per hour
By working as Builder Operator a person can save up to 704 USD per month or 8,442 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in New Zealand, see costs of living in New Zealand.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Builder Operator
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Builder Operator salary in New Zealand
Average Yearly Salary of Builder Operator in New Zealand is approximately 63,589 NZD (31,703 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Builder Operator do?

Skills: Builder Operator, Heavy Machinery Operator, Construction Equipment Operator, Excavation Specialist, Construction Site Worker, Building and Infrastructure Construction
Job industry: Construction
Job industry: Construction
How much does Builder Operator make?
Salary details
How much does Builder Operator make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 63,589 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,299 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,223 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 31 NZD per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 61,272 NZDEstimated Monthly Salary: 5,106 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,178 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 29 NZD per hour
Builder Operator estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 31,703 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 2,642 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 610 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 15 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
New Zealand, a beautiful island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is known for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant Maori culture. With a population of around 5 million people, it is sparsely populated compared to its size. The country covers an area of approximately 268,000 square kilometers and consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, along with numerous smaller islands.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 80,807 NZD (48,460 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Builder Operator job salary compared to average salary in New Zealand.
Comparison shows that a person working as Builder Operator in New Zealand earns on average:
0.79 times the average salary (or 79% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 80,807 NZD (48,460 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Builder Operator job salary compared to average salary in New Zealand.
Comparison shows that a person working as Builder Operator in New Zealand earns on average:
0.79 times the average salary (or 79% of average salary).
Is Builder Operator a well paid job?
No, our data shows that Builder Operator is typically not a well-paid job. The salary varies based on experience. Meaning that even though Builder Operator might be a low paying job, with experience the salary might increase to satisfactory levels.What is considered a high salary for Builder Operator?
High salary for Builder Operator would be somewhere between 69,948 NZD and 92,204 NZD. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Builder Operator in New Zealand?
Living in New Zealand the approximate monthly expenses are: 1,938 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 63,589 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,299 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,223 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 31 NZD per hour
By working as Builder Operator a person can save up to 704 USD per month or 8,442 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in New Zealand, see costs of living in New Zealand.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tonga, Samoa. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Builder Operator
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
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Random salary:
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