Source: Robert Half
27 October2026
- 38% of employers say their compensation is fully aligned with the skills and experience required for the roles they hire for
- 12% admit their compensation is slightly or not at all aligned with role requirements
- 59% of employers who align pay with skills say it has significantly improved their ability to secure preferred candidates
- 21% of employers who admit misalignment say it has negatively impacted their ability to hire top talent
Auckland, 27 October 2026 – While most Kiwi employers believe the salaries they offer broadly reflect the skills and experience required for their roles, only one third (38%) feel fully confident in their approach, new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half reveals.
Almost aligned, most not completely
While most (88%) employers believe their compensation broadly reflects the skills and experience required for their roles, only 38% are confident their salaries are fully aligned with market expectations.
When asked how well the compensation their organisation offers reflects the skills and experience needed for roles they hire for, employers said:
| Alignment | % of employers |
|---|---|
| Fully aligned – Compensation accurately reflects the skills and experience required | 38% |
| Mostly aligned – Compensation is appropriate for the level of skills and experience | 38% |
| Moderately aligned – Compensation somewhat reflects the required skills and experience | 12% |
| Slightly aligned – There is some alignment, but the salary is generally lower than expected | 11% |
| Not at all aligned – Compensation is significantly below what the skills and experience warrant | 1% |
Independent survey commissioned by Robert Half among 250 hiring managers in New Zealand.
“Compensation has always been a key driver and how closely pay matches a candidate’s skills and experience can be a deciding factor in whether a role is viewed as the right fit. Organisations that continue to fine-tune this alignment are better placed to meet changing market expectations,” says Ronil Singh, Director at Robert Half.
Getting pay right pays off
Employers who align compensation with the skills and experience required for their roles are seeing clear benefits in the hiring process.
Among those who say their pay is at least moderately aligned, more than half (59%) report that this alignment has significantly improved their ability to secure preferred candidates. A further 30% say it has helped somewhat, although they continue to face challenges in a competitive hiring environment.
Only 10% believe compensation alignment has had little impact on their recruitment outcomes, citing other factors such as flexibility, company culture or career progression opportunities as playing a larger role in candidates’ decision-making process. Just 1% say they have not noticed any impact at all.
When pay expectations and market realities don’t match
Among the 12% of employers who admit their compensation is not at all or only slightly aligned with the skills and experience required, some are already feeling the consequences.
While 69% believe the misalignment has had little impact on their ability to secure preferred candidates, one in five (21%) acknowledge it has negatively affected their hiring success. A further 10% say they have not noticed an impact.
“Salary may not be the only factor shaping a candidate’s decision, but it establishes the foundation for how they perceive the value of a role. When remuneration appropriately reflects skills, expertise, and role complexity, employers are in a far stronger position to attract and secure top talent. Flexibility, culture, and career development remain powerful differentiators, but they are most effective when supported by a competitive salary offering.
“Leading organisations distinguish themselves through a proactive, data-driven approach to salary benchmarking. In a cautious hiring market, continually recalibrating pay to reflect evolving skill demands is essential to sustaining recruitment momentum,” concludes Singh.
Notes to editors
About the research
The study is developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in October 2025 by an independent research company of 250 finance, accounting, and IT and technology hiring managers. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs as well as large private, publicly-listed, and public sector organisations across New Zealand. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job trends, talent management, and trends in the workplace.
About Robert Half
Robert Half is the global, specialised talent solutions provider that helps employers find their next great hire and jobseekers uncover their next opportunity. Robert Half offers both contract and permanent placement services, and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm. Robert Half New Zealand has an office in Auckland and the South Island. More information on roberthalf.com/nz.