Agriculture, Food Industry

The gross salary range for people working in New Zealand in Agriculture, Food Industry is typically from 3,391 NZD (minimum salary) to 8,106 NZD (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).

This is the total monthly salary including bonuses. Salaries can vary drastically among different job positions. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, please choose it from the list.

List of positions in the Agriculture, Food Industry category and their job descriptions

Agricultural Engineer, Agronomist

• Preparing crop rotation.
• Providing seed, organic and inorganic fertilisers, chemical protective substances and machinery required for the production of required crops.
• Supervising the processing and preparation of soil, sowing and planting.
• Monitoring the growth of plants, ensuring their nutrition and protection during vegetation.
• Harvesting crops; subsequent processing or storage of crops.

3,725 - 8,913 NZD

Agricultural Equipment Operator

• Operating or tending equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors, combines, and irrigation equipment.
• Observing and listening to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions.
• Attaching farm implements such as plows discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools.
• Driveling trucks to haul crops, supplies, tools, or farm workers.
• Adjusting, repairing, and servicing farm machinery and notifying supervisors when machinery malfunctions.
• Operating towed machines such as seed drills or manure spreaders to plant, fertilize, dust, and spray crops.
• Loading hoppers, containers, or conveyors to feed machines with products, using forklifts, transfer augers, suction gates, shovels, or pitchforks.
• Spraying fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers.
• Mixing specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery.
• Irrigating soil, using portable pipes or ditch systems, and maintaining ditches or pipes and pumps.
• Directing and monitoring the activities of work crews engaged in planting, weeding, or harvesting activities.
• Loading and unloading crops or containers of materials, manually or using conveyors, handtrucks, forklifts, or transfer augers.
• Weighing crop-filled containers, and record weights and other identifying information.

3,384 - 7,306 NZD

Agricultural Specialist

• Preparing soil for planting and sowing through plowing, fertilization, and irrigation.
• Sowing grains and industrial crops, as well as planting vegetables in prepared fields.
• Protecting crops from diseases and pests through spraying and dusting with fungicides and pesticides.
• Harvesting mature crops such as grains, rye, and barley, or gathering root vegetables like potatoes, corn, beets, and tobacco.
• Classifying, storing, and dispatching harvested products to market.
• Monitoring crop growth and development, ensuring optimal conditions for yield.
• Implementing sustainable agricultural practices to enhance soil health and productivity.
• Collaborating with agronomists and other specialists to improve farming techniques and crop varieties.
• Keeping accurate records of planting schedules, crop yields, and pesticide applications.
• Staying updated on agricultural trends, technologies, and regulations to ensure compliance and innovation in farming practices.

Agricultural Technician

• Responsibility for planting, spraying, collecting, storing and selling agricultural products.
• Operating agricultural machinery and equipment and keeping them in working order.
• Collecting the samples of crops and livestock.
• Conducting experiments aimed at increasing the fertility of crops, livestock performance and their resistance to disease and pests.
• Keeping records of discovered facts, their analysing and drawing conclusions.
• Cleaning and sterilising the laboratory and laboratory equipment.

3,702 - 8,177 NZD

Agricultural Technologist

• Examining the composition and quality of agricultural soil as well as ground and irrigation water.
• Selecting crops suitable for cultivation in the given location.
• Identifying insufficiently fertile soil and proposing measures to improve its fertility.
• Placing insect traps and collecting and recording the amount of trapped insects.
• Cooperating in the research and development of chemical fertilisers, herbicides, and pesticides.
• Providing advice to the producers of agricultural crops and livestock keepers.

4,438 - 10,288 NZD

Animal Care Worker

• taking care of animals and all related tasks
• feeding, checking water and feed supply
• cleaning and disinfection of the stables and other needed work

2,994 - 6,025 NZD

Baker

• Preparing and assessing the quality of raw materials and ingredients for the preparation of dough and mixtures.
• Measuring and weighing ingredients.
• Operating and adjusting bakery machinery and equipment.
• Compliance with the strict hygiene standards and practices.
• Shaping, smearing, and sprinkling the dough.
• Making bread, common, fine, and special bakery products.
• Continuous and final checking of the baking results.
• Cleaning the bakery machinery and equipment and carrying out routine maintenance.
• Sampling of raw materials for laboratory analysis.

3,425 - 7,524 NZD

Butcher

• Slaughtering livestock by means of electric current or captive bolt pistol.
• Bleeding and skinning of the slaughtered animals.
• Removing the head and feet from the carcase, cutting up carcases using a saw machine or handsaw.
• Removal of intestines, entrails and other organs.
• Boning the meat on the line, table or hook.
• Final processing and sorting the meat for distribution.
• Manufacturing the sausages, salami, black and white pudding and other meat products.

3,935 - 8,274 NZD

Food Engineer

• Creating new and/or modifying existing food products.
• Responsibility for the strict observance of the statutory guidelines and wholesomeness of the products.
• Looking for the ways to maintain the desired physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of food.
• Using food additives to achieve the desired properties of food.
• Developing and/or cooperating in the development of new packaging materials.
• Developing and implementing the production, packaging and distribution systems into operation.

3,873 - 8,909 NZD

Food Technician

• Performing tests to detect chemical and microbiological properties of food, beverages, food additives, and preservatives.
• Examining chemical and biological samples under a microscope.
• Cooperating with food engineers and technologists.
• Tasting food and beverages in order to compare the real taste with the the flavour declared in the product specification.
• Analysing, recording, and summarising test results.
• Measuring the volume and weighing product packaging materials.
• Cleaning and sterilising used laboratory equipment.

Food Technologist

• Inventing and improving existing recipes for semi-finished products, agricultural products, sweets, syrups, oils, alcoholic and soft drinks etc.
• Reviewing the sensory properties of the received raw material.
• Collecting samples and sending them for physico-chemical and microbiological analyses.
• Supervising the compliance with the recipes and the correct technological process by the manufacturing department.
• Checking the production costs and designing measures for their minimisation.
• Managing and updating the technological documentation.

3,750 - 9,029 NZD

Grain Receiver

• Receiving and inspecting incoming grain shipments for quality and quantity.
• Operating machinery and equipment for unloading grain from trucks and railcars.
• Maintaining accurate records of grain receipts, including weight and quality metrics.
• Ensuring compliance with safety and health regulations during the receiving process.
• Collaborating with suppliers and transportation personnel to coordinate delivery schedules.
• Conducting routine maintenance and cleaning of receiving equipment and storage areas.
• Assisting in the management of inventory levels and reporting discrepancies.
• Monitoring grain storage conditions to prevent spoilage or contamination.
• Communicating effectively with team members and management regarding grain quality issues.
• Participating in training programs to enhance skills and knowledge related to grain handling.
• Supporting overall operational efficiency within the grain receiving department.
• Adhering to company policies and procedures to ensure a safe working environment.

Livestock Specialist

• Ensuring the smooth running of the farm.
• Monitoring the health condition and efficiency of the farmed animals.
• Designing improvements in the production process.
• Performing veterinary work in collaboration with the veterinary surgeon.
• Monitoring the activities of subordinate employees.
• Ensuring disinfection, disinfestation and rodent control on the farm.
• Sending regular reports on c the ondition, transfer, mortality and performance of the animals to the state controlling institutions.

3,250 - 7,616 NZD

Milker

• Preparing and putting feed into troughs, and watering the animals.
• Cleaning away dirt from the udders, drying them and then massaging them just before milking.
• Milking cows, goats and sheep by hand or using milking equipment.
• Treating the collected milk by cleaning and cooling it to the desired temperature.
• Cleaning manure from the stables, and litter laying.

Pastry Chef, Confectioner

• Receiving, inspecting and storing the goods for confectionery production.
• Preparing a wide range of confectionery semi-finished and finished products.
• Operating technologic machinery and equipment.
• Strictly respecting the recipes, quality and quantity of used ingredients.
• Complying with the strict hygiene standards and practices.
• Performing sensory quality control of products.
• Cutting and decorating the finished confectionery products.
• Collecting samples of semi-finished and finished products for the purpose of laboratory analysis.

3,100 - 6,639 NZD

Picker

• working outside and in the greenhouses - picking fruits, vegetables and flowers
• sorting

Tractor, harvester driver

• driving and operating the tractor
• repairing agricultural machines and appliances
• work on a farm/farming company by following the instructions of the boss

3,315 - 7,196 NZD

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