Salary in Louth

Based on CSO data · 2024

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.

Median Salary

€41,449

per year · CSO 2024

Mean Salary

€49,652

per year · CSO 2024

vs National

N/A

-8% below average

Salary Analysis

+2.2%

Annual growth (CAGR) since 2011

+7.3%

Real growth (after inflation)

€24,574

After rent (41% of salary on rent)

18%

Gender pay gap

192%

Sector pay spread (€21,950 – €63,995)

36.3%

Third-level educated (Census 2022)

+7.9%

Population growth 2016–2022

22,429

Live Register (2026 March)

In 2011 prices, today's €41,449 is worth €33,348 — a real increase in purchasing power. CPI data from the CSO.

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Annual figures: CSO 2024 · National quarterly average (Q4 2025): €52,618 annualised · About our data

Louth salary trend

Switch between median and mean, or compare this trend against the baseline.

Louth
Ireland
€30,274€33,910€37,545€41,181€44,816201120142017202020232024

Next Step

Need salary benchmarks with live job-market context?

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)

Male salary details → Female salary details →

Cost of Living

€1,406

Avg monthly rent (2025 H1)

€16,875

Annual rent cost

41%

of median salary on rent

Louth Profile

139,100

Population (Census 2022)

+7.9%

Growth since 2016

36.3%

Third-level educated

22,429

Live Register (2026 March)

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary in Louth?
The median annual salary in Louth is €41,449 as of 2024. This is 8% below the national average of €44,816.
What is the highest-paying sector in Louth?
The highest-paying sector in Louth is Information and Communication at €63,995 median annual salary. The lowest-paying sector with available data is Accommodation and Food Service Activities at €21,950.
What is the cost of living in Louth?
The average monthly rent in Louth is €1,406 (2025 H1), which is 41% of the median annual salary. Louth has a population of 139,100 (Census 2022).
How have salaries in Louth changed over time?
Median salaries in Louth have grown by 33% since 2011, from €31,081 to €41,449 in 2024. This data is sourced from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) annual earnings survey.
Is Louth a good place to work in Ireland?
Louth pays 8% below the national median salary of €44,816. The strongest sector for earnings in Louth is Information and Communication. See the sector breakdown above for a full picture of earning potential across different industries.