A survey by Seek, an employment website, shows average pay packets have risen by $1000 during the past five months.
It says rising employer confidence in the economy is slowly filtering through to the job market.
Seek says the average salary for jobs on its website grew to almost $72,731, an increase of 1.3%.
Taranaki led the way as the highest paying region in the country, with an average salary of $80,269 - $7500 more than the national average.
Seek said Taranaki is home to the largest number of roles in the mining, resources and energy sector which has an average salary band of $103,275.
The average salary in Wellington rose by 1.5% to $79,412. In Auckland, it went up 1.4% to $73,828.
