Wages keep growing - but not by much

Wages keep growing - but not by much

Wages continue to grow, according to Statistics New Zealand.

In the year from December 2003 - 2004 wage rates (overtime included) rose 2.5 percent.

Food / beverage / tobacco manufacturing wages rose 2.9 percent.

Teaching professionals' wage rates increased 3.0 percent.

Construction industry wages (including overtime) rose 3.9 percent.

Overall increases for the three broad occupation groups were:

2.3 percent for managers, professionals and technicians
2.2 percent for clerks, service and sales workers
3.0 percent for other occupations.

In the Quarterly Employment Survey, continued economic growth was reflected in the annual growth of filled jobs (up 4.6 percent).

In the December 2004 quarter, average earnings remained relatively unchanged at $20.25 per hour.