Home > Salary > New Zealand > Legal Counsel
A legal counsel, also known as an in-house lawyer or corporate counsel, is a professional who provides legal advice and guidance to individuals, organizations, or corporations. They play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, managing legal risks, and protecting the interests of their clients. Legal counsels are responsible for drafting and reviewing contracts, negotiating deals, resolving disputes, and representing clients in legal proceedings. They stay updated on changes in laws and regulations, assess potential legal implications of business decisions, and provide recommendations accordingly. Additionally, they may work closely with external law firms and other stakeholders to manage legal matters effectively. The occupation of legal counsel requires strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as a deep understanding of various areas of law such as corporate law, employment law, intellectual property law, and contract law.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 231,910 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 19,326 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,460 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 111 NZD per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 18,664 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,307 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 108 NZD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06
Estimated Yearly Salary: 116,272 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,689 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,236 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 56 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: 231,910 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 19,326 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,460 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 111 NZD per hour
By working as Legal Counsel a person can save up to 7,751 USD per month or 93,011 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 Legal Counsel
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Legal Counsel salary in New Zealand
Average Yearly Salary of Legal Counsel in New Zealand is approximately 231,910 NZD (116,272 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 Legal Counsel do?
A legal counsel, also known as an in-house lawyer or corporate counsel, is a professional who provides legal advice and guidance to individuals, organizations, or corporations. They play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, managing legal risks, and protecting the interests of their clients. Legal counsels are responsible for drafting and reviewing contracts, negotiating deals, resolving disputes, and representing clients in legal proceedings. They stay updated on changes in laws and regulations, assess potential legal implications of business decisions, and provide recommendations accordingly. Additionally, they may work closely with external law firms and other stakeholders to manage legal matters effectively. The occupation of legal counsel requires strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as a deep understanding of various areas of law such as corporate law, employment law, intellectual property law, and contract law.
Skills: Legal counsel, In-house lawyer, Corporate counsel, Legal advice, Compliance, Risk management
Job industry: Legal
Job industry: Legal
How much does Legal Counsel make?
Salary details
How much does Legal Counsel make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 231,910 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 19,326 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,460 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 111 NZD per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 223,962 NZDEstimated Monthly Salary: 18,664 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,307 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 108 NZD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06Legal Counsel estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 116,272 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,689 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,236 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 56 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %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 Legal Counsel job salary compared to average salary in New Zealand.
Comparison shows that a person working as Legal Counsel in New Zealand earns on average:
2.87 times the average salary (or 287% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 80,807 NZD (48,460 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Legal Counsel job salary compared to average salary in New Zealand.
Comparison shows that a person working as Legal Counsel in New Zealand earns on average:
2.87 times the average salary (or 287% of average salary).
Is Legal Counsel a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Legal Counsel is a very well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Legal Counsel?
High salary for Legal Counsel would be somewhere between 255,101 NZD and 336,270 NZD. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Legal Counsel 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: 231,910 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 19,326 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,460 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 111 NZD per hour
By working as Legal Counsel a person can save up to 7,751 USD per month or 93,011 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 Legal Counsel
Australia is 144,686 USD Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Salary 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
+12% salary increase- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
+25% salary increase- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
+16% salary increase- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
+9% salary increase- more than 25 years of experience yields
+10% salary increaseTop 10 highest salaries in New Zealand
(1,008,623 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(843,890 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(810,735 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(786,864 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
5. Neurosurgeon
(786,039 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(769,764 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
7. Oncologist
(768,008 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(767,682 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(767,202 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(766,991 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Data as of 2025Random salary:
Investment officer (152,115 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Talent acquisition manager (102,104 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Program manager environmental consulting (163,746 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Clean room technician (39,271 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Cabin cleaner (25,705 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
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