Sector comparison · Ireland

Construction vs Administrative and Support Service Activities

Median annual earnings · Source: CSO 2024

20% gap

Construction pays 20% more than Administrative and Support Service Activities · €44,676 vs €37,125

Construction pays a median of €44,676 per year nationally, against €37,125 for Administrative and Support Service Activities — a gap of 20%. Over the longer run, Administrative and Support Service Activities has been the faster-growing of the two, at +3.3% per year on average — so while Construction pays more today, Administrative and Support Service Activities is closing the gap over time. The difference between the two sectors is not uniform across Ireland: it is widest in Kilkenny, where the gap reaches €11,368.

Growth Comparison

+2.3%

Construction annual growth (CAGR) since 2011

+3.3%

Administrative and Support Service Activities annual growth (CAGR) since 2011

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Construction

€32,539€35,573€38,608€41,642€44,676201120142017202020232024

Administrative and Support Service Activities

€24,213€27,441€30,669€33,897€37,125201120142017202020232024

County-by-County Comparison

County Construction Administrative and Support Service Activities Diff
Kilkenny €45,433 €34,065 +€11,368
Waterford €41,600 €31,600 +€10,000
Dublin €48,566 €38,888 +€9,678
Kildare €49,167 €39,805 +€9,362
Kerry €41,120 €31,889 +€9,231
Westmeath €44,716 €35,715 +€9,001
Longford €42,422 €33,661 +€8,761
Galway €43,962 €35,389 +€8,573
Cork €45,005 €36,813 +€8,192
Louth €43,160 €35,234 +€7,926
Roscommon €43,180 €35,291 +€7,889
Leitrim €41,260 €33,424 +€7,836
Limerick €44,617 €36,795 +€7,822
Laois €45,421 €38,198 +€7,223
Offaly €43,442 €36,278 +€7,164
Cavan €42,534 €35,466 +€7,068
Sligo €39,711 €32,961 +€6,750
Mayo €42,500 €35,911 +€6,589
Tipperary €42,189 €35,941 +€6,248
Monaghan €39,300 €33,070 +€6,230
Wexford €40,487 €34,589 +€5,898
Meath €47,434 €41,711 +€5,723
Carlow €43,325 €38,209 +€5,116
Donegal €35,000 €30,278 +€4,722
Wicklow €44,718 €40,196 +€4,522
Clare €42,911 €39,367 +€3,544

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which pays more: Construction or Administrative and Support Service Activities?
Construction pays more, with a median salary of €44,676 compared to €37,125 for Administrative and Support Service Activities — a difference of 20%.
What is the salary difference between Construction and Administrative and Support Service Activities?
The median salary difference is €7,551 per year (20% higher for Construction).
Which sector's salaries are growing faster: Construction or Administrative and Support Service Activities?
Administrative and Support Service Activities salaries are growing faster, at a compound annual rate of +3.3%, compared to +2.3% for Construction.
Where is the gap between Construction and Administrative and Support Service Activities widest?
The gap is widest in Kilkenny, where Construction pays €45,433 and Administrative and Support Service Activities pays €34,065 — a difference of €11,368.