Background:
In recent years, the NZVNA has published wage guidelines to help veterinary nurses when it comes time for wage/salary reviews with their employers.
Our most recent wage guideline update in 2022 garnered both positive and negative feedback. While some employers expressed frustration at what they perceived as financially unattainable recommendations, others found value in our guidance. On a positive note, we received communications from veterinary nurses who received pay raises following our updated guidelines. We extend our gratitude to those nurses for sharing their success stories with us.
The NZVNA aims to refresh our wage guidelines every 3-5 years, contingent upon changes in minimum and living wages. Given that living wage updates occur annually on September 1st, we plan to release guidelines in Q3-4 of the preceding year. In the years that guidelines aren't updated, inflationary increases to these rates can be calculated via the Reserve Bank Inflation Calculator (don't forget to change CPI to wages)
Veterinary nurses* have long been critical to any veterinary healthcare team. Veterinary nurses are ‘fee-earning’, meaning they contribute to the income of a veterinary practice through their skill set and knowledge.
Historically, veterinary nurses have been poorly paid. We are pleased to see many employers working with their nursing teams to ensure they are fairly remunerated. Many employers are moving to a competency-based remuneration process to ensure their AVP's skills are fairly remunerated. Competency templates can be found in the Human Resources section of the NZVNA website.
As of mid-June 2024, the average diploma-qualified veterinary nurse wage was $26. This data comes from the NZVNA survey and speaking with employers and other industry partners.
The NZVNA recommends all AVPs be paid no less than a living wage and recommends the following minimum wage rates (p/hr) for RVNs for 2025. We encourage you to work with your employer, using the tools available in the HR Toolbox, to ensure your remuneration aligns with recommendations.
2025 Wage Guidelines - Registered Veterinary Nurse*
|
New graduate/Level 1 |
$27.80-29.50 |
|
Level 2 ** |
$29.50-31.65 |
|
Level 3 ** |
$31.65+ |
* Veterinary nurse in this context is synonymous with veterinary technician and veterinary technologist.
**subject to clinical and non-clinical competency level assessment. If you are an NZVNA member you can view an example of these here.
These rates are based on the 2024/2025 living wage and an inflationary increase on 2022 recommendations. We are committed to working closely with employers and other industry partners to ensure these ranges continue to progress in a positive manner.
We aim to achieve a minimum new graduate salary of $60,000 ($28.85 p/h) in the near future. We know that this will take time for some employers, and we are keen to support allied veterinary professionals (AVPs) and employers with the tools to progress to this point. We support paying all AVP's a living wage; hence a starting wage of $27.80 p/hr should apply to all AVP's, regardless of role or training.
External links:
- Living Wage: https://www.livingwage.org.nz/
- Minimum Wage: https://www.employment.govt.nz/hours-and-wages/pay/minimum-wage/minimum-wage-rates/
- NZVNA Career Centre: https://nzvna.org.nz/career-center/
