Advertised job vacancies are up 21% compared to a year ago but growth is slowing according to TradeMe Jobs.

A hoped for increase in the job market after the world cup and the election had not been realised with advertised jobs up only 7%, TradeMe Jobs head Pete Ashby says.

The slowing growth in the market was consistent with the Westpac McDermott Miller employment confidence index released earlier this week and he was cautiously optimistic about the job market in 2012, Mr Ashby says.

"While storm clouds over global markets remain a major concern, there are signs of improvement. We're hopeful this is simply a blip in the ongoing recovery," he says.

There is still a demand for professional services with listings requesting accountants up 36% for the December quarter. Skilled civil and industrial engineers were still in high demand with listings up 39% on a year ago.

Trades and services (41%), Construction (33%) and Retail (22%) all had increases in demand on a year ago.

Regionally Canterbury and Southland had 61% increases in listings from a year ago but Southland had 3% drop in listings from the previous quarter. Continuing strong growth in the South Island Otago had a 41% increase in listings.  

Auckland had a 14% decrease in listings from the previous quarter but increased 11% from last year.

Wellington was the highest paid region with the average pay rate for a full-time job at $77,627, Auckland was second with an average $76,687.

Marlborough and Franklin were the two lowest paid regions with average pays $44,844 and $44,957 respectively.