Health Care Assistant - Pay and progression
Kaiāwhina Tapuhi
Pay
Industry sources indicate that the average gross salary for health care assistants in 2008 was about $33,000. However, pay varies depending on qualifications, experience and environment:
Salaries for health care assistants working in New Zealand, 2008| Place of work | Salary of lowest-paid 25% | Average gross salary | Salary of highest-paid 25% |
| Hospitals | $31,500 | $33,500 | $36,250 |
| Rest homes | $30,000 | $31,500 | $33,500 |
| In the community | $31,500 | $33,750 | $35,500 |
For health care assistants employed on a contractual basis, hourly rates range from $13 to $15 an hour.
According to the 2006 Census, health care assistants earned an average of $22,700 a year and worked an average of 32 hours per week. This includes full and part-time workers.
This information is provided as a guide only
Career Progression
Health care assistants may progress to work as registered nurses after completing a Bachelor of Nursing. They may also move into administrative or management roles in hospitals or private health care organisations.
Updated
January 2009
