Average Salary in Ireland
Based on CSO data · Updated 2026-03-25
Median Salary
€44,816
per year (2024)
Mean Salary
€56,356
per year (2024)
Ireland — Median Annual Earnings
Key Facts
- Highest-paying sector: Information and Communication at €80,147
- Lowest-paying sector: Accommodation and Food Service Activities at €26,000
- Highest-paying county: Dublin at €49,224
- Lowest-paying county: Donegal at €36,967
Average Salary by Sector
| Sector | Median Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Information and Communication | €80,147 | |
| Financial, Insurance and Real Estate Activities | €59,023 | |
| Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security | €56,745 | |
| Education | €54,413 | |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities | €51,750 | |
| Industry (B to E) | €50,000 | |
| Construction | €44,676 | |
| Human Health and Social Work Activities | €44,622 | |
| Transportation and Storage | €43,823 | |
| Administrative and Support Service Activities | €37,125 | |
| Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles | €32,902 | |
| Arts, Entertainment, Recreation and Other Service Activities | €28,497 | |
| Accommodation and Food Service Activities | €26,000 |
Average Salary by County
| County | Median Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin | €49,224 | |
| Kildare | €48,431 | |
| Wicklow | €46,527 | |
| Cork | €46,416 | |
| Meath | €46,272 | |
| Limerick | €44,498 | |
| Clare | €44,081 | |
| Galway | €43,995 | |
| Laois | €43,230 | |
| Kilkenny | €43,132 | |
| Westmeath | €43,072 | |
| Sligo | €42,468 | |
| Waterford | €42,460 | |
| Roscommon | €42,150 | |
| Offaly | €41,464 | |
| Louth | €41,449 | |
| Tipperary | €41,338 | |
| Leitrim | €41,162 | |
| Mayo | €40,657 | |
| Cavan | €40,596 | |
| Carlow | €40,363 | |
| Wexford | €39,409 | |
| Kerry | €38,906 | |
| Longford | €38,857 | |
| Monaghan | €37,867 | |
| Donegal | €36,967 |
Cost of Living by County
Average rent as a percentage of median salary, sorted by affordability (lowest % = most affordable).
| County | Median Salary | Avg Monthly Rent | Rent % of Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leitrim | €41,162 | €977 | 28% |
| Clare | €44,081 | €1,125 | 31% |
| Donegal | €36,967 | €965 | 31% |
| Roscommon | €42,150 | €1,073 | 31% |
| Tipperary | €41,338 | €1,069 | 31% |
| Cavan | €40,596 | €1,071 | 32% |
| Monaghan | €37,867 | €1,020 | 32% |
| Mayo | €40,657 | €1,093 | 32% |
| Sligo | €42,468 | €1,119 | 32% |
| Kilkenny | €43,132 | €1,191 | 33% |
| Waterford | €42,460 | €1,160 | 33% |
| Longford | €38,857 | €1,115 | 34% |
| Laois | €43,230 | €1,227 | 34% |
| Offaly | €41,464 | €1,174 | 34% |
| Westmeath | €43,072 | €1,224 | 34% |
| Wexford | €39,409 | €1,159 | 35% |
| Kerry | €38,906 | €1,162 | 36% |
| Carlow | €40,363 | €1,249 | 37% |
| Cork | €46,416 | €1,488 | 38% |
| Meath | €46,272 | €1,527 | 40% |
| Kildare | €48,431 | €1,670 | 41% |
| Louth | €41,449 | €1,406 | 41% |
| Limerick | €44,498 | €1,523 | 41% |
| Galway | €43,995 | €1,585 | 43% |
| Wicklow | €46,527 | €1,718 | 44% |
| Dublin | €49,224 | €2,140 | 52% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary in Ireland?
The median annual salary in Ireland is €44,816 and the mean is €56,356 as of 2024. Median is a better measure as it is less affected by very high earners.
What is the highest-paying sector in Ireland?
The highest-paying sector is Information and Communication with a median salary of €80,147. The lowest-paying is Accommodation and Food Service Activities at €26,000.
Which county has the highest salary in Ireland?
Dublin has the highest median salary at €49,224. Donegal has the lowest at €36,967.
Where does this salary data come from?
All salary data comes from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) Earnings Analysis using Administrative Data Sources (EAADS), which covers all PAYE employments in Ireland based on Revenue Commissioners records.
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