What to study in New Zealand based on job demand in 2026
Which fields hire the most in New Zealand and what to study to get into each one.
Data from jobs posted on Saplic as of September 29, 2026. They show what's being sought today, not what will happen in five years.
Fields in highest demand
| Field | Jobs | % of total | Median salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Health | 24 | 14% | — |
| Sales | 14 | 8% | — |
| Customer Service and Call Center | 11 | 6% | — |
| Production, Operations and Manufacturing | 10 | 6% | — |
| Maintenance and Technical Repairs | 8 | 5% | — |
| Hospitality and Tourism | 7 | 4% | — |
| Administration and Office | 7 | 4% | — |
| Heavy Cargo Handling and Transport | 6 | 3% | — |
| Accounting and Finance | 3 | 2% | — |
| General Services, Cleaning and Security | 2 | 1% | — |
Degrees with the best prospects
| Degree or training | Level |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Health Jobs: 24 | |
| Bachelor of Nursing | University |
| Medical Degree (MD) | University |
| Clinical Laboratory Technician | Technical |
| Nursing Assistant | Trade |
| Pharmacy | Technical |
| Sales Jobs: 14 | |
| Bachelor in Marketing | University |
| Sales Technician | Technical |
| Sales Advisor | Trade |
| Account Management | Technical |
| Customer Service and Call Center Jobs: 11 | |
| Customer Service Technician | Technical |
| Conversational English | Trade |
| Business Administration | University |
| Call Center Agent | Trade |
| Production, Operations and Manufacturing Jobs: 10 | |
| Production Engineering | University |
| Industrial Process Technician | Technical |
| Manufacturing Operator | Trade |
| Industrial Garment Making | Trade |
| Maintenance and Technical Repairs Jobs: 8 | |
| Electrical Technician | Technical |
| HVAC Technician | Technical |
| Automotive Mechanics | Trade |
| Industrial Electronics | Technical |
| Hospitality and Tourism Jobs: 7 | |
| Hotel Management | University |
| Tourism | University |
| Culinary Arts | Technical |
| Food & Beverage Service | Trade |
Careers without a university degree
Fields where most listings don't require a university degree, with the short courses they do ask for.
How to read these figures
These numbers show what's being sought TODAY in New Zealand, not what will be needed when you finish studying. They're useful for ruling things out: if a field has three open jobs in the whole country, that fact is worth more than any degree ranking.
Demand and pay don't go together. The fields with the most jobs tend to be the ones with the highest turnover, and the best-paid ones tend to have few openings and require experience. Look at both tables before deciding: the sweet spot is almost always where they overlap.
If you're not going to university, start with the short courses in the block above and look for an entry-level position in that field. In most industries, two years of real work count for more than a degree that isn't used.
Frequently asked questions
What should I study in New Zealand?
Based on today's open jobs, the field in highest demand is Medicine and Health. But it's worth also looking at each field's median salary and how many listings require a degree: that's what the two tables on this page are for.
Which degree has the best job prospects?
The ones that lead to the fields with the most open jobs. In New Zealand, today that's Medicine and Health. The degrees block lists the typical training for each of the most in-demand fields.
Can I work without a university degree?
Yes. A significant share of listings don't require a university degree: they ask for a technical qualification, completed secondary education or nothing at all. The block on careers without a degree shows which fields that happens in.
Are these official figures?
No. They come from the jobs posted on Saplic and show what companies are looking for on this platform. They're a demand signal, not a national statistic.
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