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How to Benchmark Pay Rates to Attract the Best Temp Staff

Monday 29 September 2025

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By OMJ Team

Flat Rate Staffing
Workforce Profitability
Benchmark pay
Digital Staffing

When you’re hiring temporary staff, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is what to pay. Set the rate too low, and you may struggle to attract reliable candidates. Go too high, and you risk eroding your margins. The key is finding the right balance and that starts with benchmarking pay rates.

Benchmarking gives you a clear picture of what the market expects for different roles, industries, and peak demand periods. With the right benchmarks, you can set fair, competitive rates that not only attract talent but also help you build a strong pool of repeat workers.

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Why benchmarking matters?

 

  • Attracting the right calibre of staff: Quality candidates have options. Offering competitive pay signals that you value their skills and time.

  • Reducing no-shows: Temps are more likely to turn up and perform well when they feel the pay reflects the role.

  • Protecting profitability: By knowing the benchmarks, you can set pay rates strategically high enough to attract staff, but aligned with your budget. Tip: You have to consider the added agency costs also! 

  • Building retention: A slightly higher rate for reliable performers can keep them coming back, saving you time and money in the long run.

 

 

Waiter taking an order wearing a waistcoat in a fancy restaurant

Benchmarks by Industry

Pay expectations vary across industries. Below are some common examples. 

Hospitality

  • Entry-level roles: e.g. kitchen hands, wait staff ($25 per hour)*

  • Skilled roles: e.g. baristas, bartenders, event supervisors ($26-$30 per hour)*

Example: For a Food & Wine Show, offering $26-$34/hr for skilled event staff will put you ahead of the competition and help secure reliable temps who can handle high-pressure environments.

*(Source: Restaurant association, 2025 pay survey)


Warehousing and Logistics

  • Entry-level roles: e.g. pick/pack staff, general labour ($24-$26 per hour)

  • Skilled roles: e.g. forklift drivers, night-shift staff ($28-$30 per hour)

Example: In the month before Christmas, when warehousing demand spikes, offering $26 -$31/hr can mean the difference between fully staffed shifts and costly bottlenecks.

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Pay rate guide

Use this quick reference table to quickly see the hourly rate you will advertise to the contractor (the hourly rate paid directly to them) alongside the actual amount you’ll be invoiced for. This helps you set clear expectations, avoid confusion, and budget accurately.


 

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compared to traditional temp agencies (approx)

  • All values are ex GST
  • Indicative on-costs of 22.6% which includes Kiwisavercontribution, annual leave, sick leave.
  • Indicative temp agency fee / commission of 15%

Transparent pricing that saves you hundreds

With OMJ, you cut out agency commissions and hidden on-costs—saving you around $300 (ex GST) per temp per week. Our simple flat-fee model means you know exactly what you’re paying, with no surprises.