Light and heavy automotive parts roles (including Product Reps and Parts Managers)
Updated May 2024
Employers are encouraged to communicate with our consulting team for more guidance on current wage and salary rates. Attention to specific regional areas hard hit by skills shortages or the seniority of employees should be taken into account. Automotive Employment NZ Ltd has attempted to be as accurate as possible and to provide guidelines for the most popular sectors of the New Zealand motor industry but take no responsibility for the accuracy of the information. Any hiring decision should be based on a range of knowledge from a variety of sources.
Employees should note that while these rates may provide a guide, to gain an accurate indication of rates you may need to consider how your skills and experience compare to others in the workplace. Your work performance, the stability of overall employment, knowledge of the product, development of your skills and or qualifications, personal grooming, communication skills and the length of service you have extended to your current employer may all impact on potential earnings. These aspects of your employment should also be weighed against the economic conditions prevailing in the location you work or intend to move to.
Offshore candidates should note rates and salaries are quoted in New Zealand dollars. Please also check the date above as information provided is current only to this date.
Light Automotive Aftermarket Counter Sales
National median income – $60,000 per annum
These roles are with parts companies that sell non-original equipment parts and accessories. The positions require specific retail parts experience in a comparable market. Rates commence at $55,000 for a junior parts person through to $60,000 in aftermarket parts operations with $60,000 being a common commencing rate.
Light Automotive Franchise Parts Interpreter
National median – $55,000 per annum
These roles are with the retail outlets for authorised franchise motor vehicle dealerships.
The roles usually pay around $55,000 through to $65,000 with the extreme end being $70,000.
Heavy Transport and Heavy Equipment Parts Interpreter
National median income – $65,000 per annum
Disparities in wage rates exist between the automotive and heavy automotive parts sectors here in New Zealand. Heavy parts interpreters can expect to earn from $60,000 to $75,000. The extreme end is $85,000 but rarely heard of. Areas with lower population demographics may also pay lower rates.
Light Automotive Aftermarket Parts Representative
National median income – $65,000 per annum
These roles are with parts companies that sell non-original equipment parts and accessories. The range commences at $55,000 to $75,000. A company car or ute is usually provided. It is noted that companies focused on specific brands or products tend to be the employers remunerating toward to the top end of these rates.
Light Automotive Franchise Parts Representative
National median income – $65,000 per annum
These roles are with the retail outlets for authorised light automotive franchise sites. The roles usually pay around $65,000 to $75,000 with a company car.
Heavy Transport/Heavy Equipment Parts Representative
National median income – $75,000 per annum
These roles are generally paying between $75,000 and $90,000 with a company car. A company car is standard.
Purchasing staff
National median income – $85,000 per annum
Whilst very hard to secure these roles in New Zealand, the leaders in the aftermarket parts sector pay between $80,000 and $95,000.
Product Manager, Product Representative, Business Development Manager
National median income – $90,000 per annum
These roles are generally paid $75,000 to $115,000 – the extreme end is $135,000. These roles are commonly found in the industries supplying to the motor trade such as oil products, batteries, and similar products but also surface in companies wishing to have brand representation. Without exception, the roles include a company car. The higher end of the scale ordinarily acknowledges a degree of specific hard to locate technical expertise. The higher paid of these roles usually have a base salary between $75,000 and $95,000 per annum.
Aftermarket Parts Manager
National median income – $75,000 per annum
These roles pay between $70,000 and $110,000 with an extreme end of $120,000 dependent on the size and volume of the operation. The higher rates are in the cities and, most noticeably, at “super shops” in Auckland. Vacancies at the upper end are hard to secure and normally paid to a Parts Manager who has “hub responsibilities” i.e. multiple branches or after sales responsibilities.
Light Automotive Franchise Parts Manager
National median income – $95,000 per annum
Parts Managers working from light automotive franchise vehicle dealerships are presently earning between $75,000 and $130,000. The extreme end is $160,000 for a Group Parts Manager role. The lower rates are usually paid to managers who have few staff responsibilities while the upper range, i.e. $130,000, is paid to Parts Managers in main flagship sites who have considerable staffing responsibilities and direct reports.
Heavy Diesel Parts Managerr
National median income – $110,000 per annum
Parts managers working from heavy diesel sites are presently earning between $85,000 and $130,000. The lower rates are usually paid to managers who have few staff responsibilities while the upper range is paid to Parts Managers in main flagship sites who have considerable staffing responsibilities.
Social Media Updates