Louth · Ireland
Salary in Louth
Median annual earnings · Source: CSO 2024
€41,449
Median · half earn less, half earn more · methodology
€49,652
Mean (average)
€44,816
National median
County Louth, Ireland's smallest county by area, benefits economically from access to both Dublin via the M1 motorway and Northern Ireland. Drogheda is a significant employment centre with a mix of pharmaceutical, tech, and service industries. The county's position on the eastern corridor makes it attractive for logistics and distribution firms.
Earning in Louth: What the Data Shows
Louth's salary profile benefits from its strategic position on the Dublin-Belfast corridor, giving residents and employers access to two major metropolitan labour markets within an hour's drive. The M1 motorway has transformed Drogheda in particular into a significant employment centre with a mix of pharmaceutical, technology, and financial services operations that pay above the regional average.
The county's dual-corridor advantage — access to Dublin for commuters and access to Northern Ireland for cross-border trade — creates a more dynamic labour market than its small geographic size would suggest. Dundalk's position near the border supports logistics and manufacturing operations, while Drogheda's proximity to Dublin attracts both commuters and firms seeking lower operating costs than the capital.
Housing costs in Louth have risen significantly as Dublin overspill has increased demand, but the county still offers meaningful savings relative to the capital. This cost differential, combined with good transport links, makes Louth attractive to mid-career professionals. The salary trajectory is positive, tracking Dublin's growth with a slight discount that reflects the county's role as a satellite rather than a primary economic centre.
Quick Answers
The current median salary in Louth is €41,449 and sits 8% below the national median.
The highest-paying local sector is Information and Communication at €63,995, 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 Louth directly with Dublin.
Salary Analysis
+2.2%
Annual growth (CAGR) since 2011
+7.3%
Real growth (after inflation)
€24,094
After rent (42% of salary on rent)
18%
192%
Sector pay spread (€21,950 – €63,995)
36.3%
Third-level educated (Census 2022)
+7.9%
Population growth 2016–2022
23,600
Live Register (2026 June)
In 2011 prices, today's €41,449 is worth €33,348 — a real increase in purchasing power. CPI data from the CSO.
Salary Range in Louth
The middle 50% of workers here earn between €28,590 and €61,465 per year. The full typical range (10th to 90th percentile) runs from €16,415 to €86,508. Nationally, the same middle-50% range is €30,388 to €68,319.
€16,415
10th pct
€28,590
25th pct
€41,483
Median
€61,465
75th pct
€86,508
90th pct
Source: CSO Distribution of Annual Earnings by County (DEA09), 2024.
Compare This County
Most county visitors want a fast second answer: compare Louth with another county, check the gender split, or jump into the strongest local sector.
Search Another Sector Or County
Use Louth 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 (Q1 2026): €55,930 annualised · About our data
Louth 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
18%
Women earn €37,028 vs men at €45,237 (median)
Cost of Living
€1,446
Avg monthly rent (2025 H2)
€17,355
Annual rent cost
42%
of median salary on rent
Louth Profile
139,100
Population (Census 2022)
+7.9%
Growth since 2016
36.3%
Third-level educated
23,600
Live Register (2026 June)
Mid-East region
Salaries by Sector in Louth
| Sector | Median Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Information and Communication | €63,995 | |
| Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security | €55,292 | |
| Education | €53,541 | |
| Financial, Insurance and Real Estate Activities | €49,290 | |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities | €45,877 | |
| Industry (B to E) | €44,134 | |
| Transportation and Storage | €43,992 | |
| Human Health and Social Work Activities | €43,827 | |
| Construction | €43,160 | |
| Administrative and Support Service Activities | €35,234 | |
| Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles | €31,807 | |
| Arts, Entertainment, Recreation and Other Service Activities | €27,330 | |
| Accommodation and Food Service Activities | €21,950 |
Salary by Age Group in Louth
40 - 49 years
€46,356
50 - 59 years
€45,204
30 - 39 years
€44,905
25 - 29 years
€37,787
60 years and over
€35,366
15 - 24 years
€22,721
Keep Exploring
Once you know the headline salary in Louth, 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 Louth on median pay.
Check another strong sector
Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security is another high-signal sector page for Louth.
Open the top age band
40 - 49 years is the strongest age group for earnings in Louth.
Review the gender split
Open the female salary view and compare it with the county-wide median.
Compare with Dublin
See how Louth 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?
Use this page as the benchmark, then check live roles to see what is actually being advertised now.
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