Where the numbers come from
- Central Statistics Office (CSO): Earnings, Hours and Employment Costs Survey, Labour Force Survey, and the quarterly Earnings and Labour Costs release.
- Eurostat: structure of earnings survey for cross-EU context.
- Glassdoor Ireland: self-reported salaries, used as a directional signal only.
- Department of Social Protection: minimum wage and statutory rates (national minimum wage 14.15 euro per hour from 1 January 2026).
Median full-time gross by sector (2026 estimate)
| Sector | Median annual gross | Top quartile |
|---|---|---|
| Information and communication | 72,000 euro | 105,000 euro |
| Financial and insurance | 68,000 euro | 98,000 euro |
| Professional, scientific, technical | 56,000 euro | 82,000 euro |
| Public administration | 55,000 euro | 76,000 euro |
| Education | 52,000 euro | 72,000 euro |
| Health and social work | 49,000 euro | 70,000 euro |
| Construction | 47,000 euro | 65,000 euro |
| Manufacturing | 46,000 euro | 62,000 euro |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 36,000 euro | 48,000 euro |
| Accommodation and food service | 30,500 euro | 38,000 euro |
Median full-time gross by county
| County | Median annual gross |
|---|---|
| Dublin | 58,500 euro |
| Cork | 49,500 euro |
| Galway | 46,000 euro |
| Limerick | 44,500 euro |
| Kildare | 49,000 euro |
| Wicklow | 48,000 euro |
| Meath | 47,500 euro |
| Waterford | 42,000 euro |
| Mayo | 40,500 euro |
| Donegal | 38,500 euro |
How to read these numbers
- Medians, not averages. Half of full-time workers earn more, half earn less.
- Full-time only. Part-time medians are typically 55% of the full-time figure.
- Gross, before PAYE, USC, and PRSI. To compare net pay, run our payslip check.
- County figures reflect where the employer is based, not the worker home address. Remote workers can earn Dublin rates while living in Donegal.
Worked comparison
Niamh, a 33 year old software developer in Galway earning 62,000 euro, sits above the county median (46,000 euro) and slightly below the sector median for information and communication (72,000 euro). Her gap likely reflects the Dublin premium, since most of her sector peers are clustered in the capital.
What benchmarks are not
Benchmarks are aggregate signals, not personal advice. They cannot tell you what to ask for in a salary negotiation, what your specific employer should pay, or whether a job offer is fair given your skills, experience, and circumstances. For tailored career advice, speak to a recruiter or coach.
Refresh schedule
Sector and county tables are refreshed when the CSO publishes a new quarterly release (typically March, June, September, December). Methodology notes are linked from each table on the live site.
Pair benchmarks with a payslip check to translate gross figures into your real take-home, and a pension calculator to see what your benchmark salary could mean in retirement.
Benchmarks are aggregate informational figures. They are not regulated financial, employment, or career advice. Do not rely on them as the sole basis for a negotiation or offer decision.