Salary in Carlow
Based on CSO data · 2024
County Carlow has a growing economy benefiting from its proximity to Dublin and a strong pharmaceutical and tech presence around Carlow town. It hosts a cluster of STEM-related FDI investment and has one of the most educated workforces relative to its size in Leinster.
Earning in Carlow: What the Data Shows
Carlow punches above its weight in salary terms for a county of its size, driven by a cluster of pharmaceutical and technology FDI operations around Carlow town and the broader south-east corridor. MSD, Unum, and other multinationals provide high-paying manufacturing and professional roles that anchor the upper end of the county's pay distribution. The presence of South East Technological University further supports a knowledge economy pipeline.
Proximity to Dublin is a growing factor in Carlow's salary profile. The M9 motorway has brought the county within practical commuting distance of the capital, and remote working arrangements have made Carlow attractive to Dublin-based professionals seeking significantly lower housing costs. This inflow of higher earners is gradually shifting the county's demographic and economic profile.
The cost of living in Carlow remains well below the national average, particularly for housing. This means that a salary which might feel modest by Dublin standards delivers comfortable purchasing power locally. The county's salary trajectory is positive, supported by continued FDI investment and the spillover effects of Dublin's expanding commuter reach, though growth remains dependent on a relatively small number of large employers.
Quick Answers
The current median salary in Carlow is €40,363 and sits 10% below the national median.
The highest-paying local sector is Information and Communication at €66,959, and the gender split is available on the county gender pages.
Use the sector table and age-band links below to move from the county headline into narrower salary pages, or compare Carlow directly with Dublin.
Median Salary
€40,363
per year · CSO 2024
Mean Salary
€47,834
per year · CSO 2024
vs National
N/A
-10% below average
Salary Analysis
+2.2%
Annual growth (CAGR) since 2011
+6.4%
Real growth (after inflation)
€25,376
After rent (37% of salary on rent)
19%
183%
Sector pay spread (€23,630 – €66,959)
34.8%
Third-level educated (Census 2022)
+8.8%
Population growth 2016–2022
16,960
Live Register (2026 March)
In 2011 prices, today's €40,363 is worth €32,474 — a real increase in purchasing power. CPI data from the CSO.
Compare This County
Most county visitors want a fast second answer: compare Carlow with another county, check the gender split, or jump into the strongest local sector.
Search Another Sector Or County
Use Carlow as the anchor, then pivot into a sector page, a gender split, or another county without restarting your search.
Annual figures: CSO 2024 · National quarterly average (Q4 2025): €52,618 annualised · About our data
Carlow salary trend
Switch between median and mean, or compare this trend against the baseline.
Next Step
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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.
Gender Pay Gap
19%
Women earn €35,626 vs men at €44,142 (median)
Cost of Living
€1,249
Avg monthly rent (2025 H1)
€14,987
Annual rent cost
37%
of median salary on rent
Carlow Profile
61,931
Population (Census 2022)
+8.8%
Growth since 2016
34.8%
Third-level educated
16,960
Live Register (2026 March)
South-East region
Salaries by Sector in Carlow
| Sector | Median Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Information and Communication | €66,959 | |
| Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security | €56,974 | |
| Education | €55,074 | |
| Financial, Insurance and Real Estate Activities | €48,268 | |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities | €44,100 | |
| Construction | €43,325 | |
| Industry (B to E) | €42,320 | |
| Transportation and Storage | €38,915 | |
| Human Health and Social Work Activities | €38,870 | |
| Administrative and Support Service Activities | €38,209 | |
| Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles | €29,986 | |
| Arts, Entertainment, Recreation and Other Service Activities | €24,961 | |
| Accommodation and Food Service Activities | €23,630 |
Salary by Age Group in Carlow
30 - 39 years
€44,572
40 - 49 years
€44,151
50 - 59 years
€43,464
25 - 29 years
€37,597
60 years and over
€35,256
15 - 24 years
€23,337
Keep Exploring
Once you know the headline salary in Carlow, the next useful question is usually which sector, age band, or comparison explains that number.
Information and Communication is the top sector here
Information and Communication currently leads Carlow on median pay.
Check another strong sector
Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security is another high-signal sector page for Carlow.
Open the top age band
30 - 39 years is the strongest age group for earnings in Carlow.
Review the gender split
Open the female salary view and compare it with the county-wide median.
Compare with Dublin
See how Carlow stacks up against another high-interest county.
Browse the county rankings
Move across the national league table and compare this county with the rest of Ireland.
Want to compare the salary data with real hiring demand?
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