Average Salary in Ireland — 2021
Based on CSO data
The median annual salary in Ireland in 2021 was €41,222, based on the CSO annual earnings survey covering all PAYE employments. This represented a +2% increase compared to 2020. The highest-paying sector was Information and Communication at €66,082. Dublin was the highest-paying county at €45,386.
Median Salary
€41,222
2021
Mean Salary
€51,068
2021
Year-on-Year
N/A
+2% vs 2020
Salary by Sector (2021)
| Sector | Median Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Information and Communication | €66,082 | |
| Financial, Insurance and Real Estate Activities | €52,350 | |
| Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security | €49,507 | |
| Education | €48,791 | |
| Industry (B to E) | €45,804 | |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities | €45,394 | |
| Construction | €41,760 | |
| Transportation and Storage | €39,972 | |
| Human Health and Social Work Activities | €38,517 | |
| Administrative and Support Service Activities | €32,618 | |
| Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles | €30,476 | |
| Arts, Entertainment, Recreation and Other Service Activities | €28,568 | |
| Accommodation and Food Service Activities | €23,795 |
Salary by County (2021)
| County | Median Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin | €45,386 | |
| Kildare | €43,971 | |
| Meath | €42,635 | |
| Wicklow | €42,191 | |
| Cork | €42,000 | |
| Galway | €40,365 | |
| Limerick | €40,307 | |
| Clare | €40,299 | |
| Kilkenny | €40,083 | |
| Laois | €40,022 | |
| Westmeath | €39,567 | |
| Waterford | €39,103 | |
| Roscommon | €38,948 | |
| Sligo | €38,856 | |
| Louth | €38,571 | |
| Offaly | €38,155 | |
| Mayo | €38,051 | |
| Leitrim | €37,866 | |
| Tipperary | €37,851 | |
| Carlow | €37,552 | |
| Cavan | €37,497 | |
| Kerry | €37,053 | |
| Wexford | €36,536 | |
| Longford | €35,626 | |
| Monaghan | €35,171 | |
| Donegal | €34,359 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the average salary in Ireland in 2021?
The median annual salary in Ireland in 2021 was €41,222. The mean (average) was €51,068. The median is generally the better benchmark as it is less affected by very high earners at the top end of the distribution.
How did salaries change from 2020 to 2021?
The median salary increased by 2% from €40,579 in 2020 to €41,222 in 2021. See the full trend history on the salary trends page.
What was the highest-paying sector in Ireland in 2021?
The highest-paying sector in 2021 was Information and Communication with a median salary of €66,082. See the full sector table above for all industries.
Which county paid the most in Ireland in 2021?
The highest-paying county in 2021 was Dublin with a median salary of €45,386. See the county table above for a full breakdown.
Next Step
Need salary benchmarks with live job-market context?
Salaries.ie shows the public data. If you want current openings, employer demand, and a stronger sense of what roles are actually live in Ireland, use RoleUp alongside the salary pages.