Sector comparison · Ireland

Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security vs Education

Median annual earnings · Source: CSO 2024

4% gap

Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security pays 4% more than Education · €56,745 vs €54,413

Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security pays a median of €56,745 per year nationally, against €54,413 for Education — a gap of 4%. Over the longer run, Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security has been the faster-growing of the two, at +1.9% per year on average. The difference between the two sectors is not uniform across Ireland: it is widest in Wicklow, where the gap reaches €7,736.

Growth Comparison

+1.9%

Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security annual growth (CAGR) since 2011

+1%

Education annual growth (CAGR) since 2011

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Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security

€44,537€47,589€50,641€53,693€56,745201120142017202020232024

Education

€45,823€47,971€50,118€52,266€54,413201120142017202020232024

County-by-County Comparison

County Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security Education Diff
Wicklow €59,902 €52,166 +€7,736
Laois €59,326 €52,426 +€6,900
Dublin €58,423 €51,637 +€6,786
Kildare €62,617 €56,440 +€6,177
Meath €59,875 €54,413 +€5,462
Cork €56,725 €53,500 +€3,225
Offaly €54,818 €52,133 +€2,685
Cavan €56,063 €53,720 +€2,343
Wexford €54,887 €52,898 +€1,989
Carlow €56,974 €55,074 +€1,900
Louth €55,292 €53,541 +€1,751
Longford €53,513 €52,234 +€1,279
Westmeath €54,582 €54,355 +€227
Limerick €55,693 €56,249 €-556
Roscommon €56,245 €57,102 €-857
Waterford €54,179 €55,086 €-907
Kilkenny €54,057 €55,185 €-1,128
Tipperary €53,507 €55,404 €-1,897
Clare €55,159 €58,118 €-2,959
Monaghan €53,870 €57,193 €-3,323
Kerry €51,848 €55,264 €-3,416
Donegal €51,423 €55,582 €-4,159
Galway €54,987 €59,410 €-4,423
Leitrim €52,571 €57,183 €-4,612
Sligo €53,416 €59,313 €-5,897
Mayo €52,291 €58,895 €-6,604

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which pays more: Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security or Education?
Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security pays more, with a median salary of €56,745 compared to €54,413 for Education — a difference of 4%.
What is the salary difference between Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security and Education?
The median salary difference is €2,332 per year (4% higher for Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security).
Which sector's salaries are growing faster: Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security or Education?
Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security salaries are growing faster, at a compound annual rate of +1.9%, compared to +1% for Education.
Where is the gap between Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security and Education widest?
The gap is widest in Wicklow, where Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security pays €59,902 and Education pays €52,166 — a difference of €7,736.