County comparison · Ireland
Laois vs Westmeath
Median annual earnings · Source: CSO 2024
Laois pays 0% more than Westmeath · €43,230 vs €43,072
Laois has the higher median salary at €43,230 per year, against €43,072 in Westmeath — a gap of 0%. Looking at the longer trend, Westmeath has grown faster, at +2.2% per year on average — so Westmeath is closing the gap over time even though Laois still pays more today. Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security is the sector where the two counties diverge most, with a difference of €4,744.
Growth Comparison
+2%
Laois annual growth (CAGR) since 2011
+2.2%
Westmeath annual growth (CAGR) since 2011
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Laois
Westmeath
Laois Gender Pay Gap
18%
Westmeath Gender Pay Gap
17%
Sector-by-Sector Comparison
| Sector | Laois | Westmeath | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information and Communication | €68,821 | €72,510 | €-3,689 |
| Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security | €59,326 | €54,582 | +€4,744 |
| Education | €52,426 | €54,355 | €-1,929 |
| Financial, Insurance and Real Estate Activities | €50,681 | €49,314 | +€1,367 |
| Industry (B to E) | €47,165 | €44,288 | +€2,877 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities | €45,524 | €45,152 | +€372 |
| Construction | €45,421 | €44,716 | +€705 |
| Human Health and Social Work Activities | €43,923 | €45,321 | €-1,398 |
| Transportation and Storage | €42,753 | €40,637 | +€2,116 |
| Administrative and Support Service Activities | €38,198 | €35,715 | +€2,483 |
| Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles | €31,428 | €33,488 | €-2,060 |
| Arts, Entertainment, Recreation and Other Service Activities | €28,058 | €26,024 | +€2,034 |
| Accommodation and Food Service Activities | €23,402 | €23,604 | €-202 |
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Keep Exploring
County comparison pages are most useful when they feed the next question: which sector explains the gap, and what does each county look like on its own?
Open the full Laois county page
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Check the widest sector gap in Laois
Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security is one of the strongest differentiators between these counties.
Compare the same sector in Westmeath
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Keep exploring by testing the stronger county against Kilkenny.
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