Ireland · EUR · 2026
Salaries in Ireland
What 32 careers pay in Ireland, highest first. The middle of the table sits around €59,000 a year; surgeons lead at €265,000.
| # | Career | Industry | Entry | Median | Senior | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeon | Healthcare | €239k | €265,000 | €300k | €131 |
| 2 | Investment Banker | Finance | €83k | €135,000 | €450k | €66.50 |
| 3 | Air Traffic Controller | Aviation | €61k | €110,000 | €160k | €54 |
| 4 | Commercial Pilot | Aviation | €44k | €110,000 | €335k | €54 |
| 5 | Quantitative Analyst | Finance | €65k | €100,000 | €295k | €49.50 |
| 6 | Machine Learning Engineer | Technology | €63k | €91,000 | €190k | €45 |
| 7 | Actuary | Finance | €48k | €86,000 | €170k | €42.50 |
| 8 | Dentist | Healthcare | €61k | €86,000 | €150k | €42.50 |
| 9 | Lawyer | Legal | €39k | €81,000 | €240k | €40 |
| 10 | Aerospace Engineer | Aviation | €45k | €73,000 | €110k | €36 |
| 11 | Data Scientist | Technology | €44k | €73,000 | €125k | €36 |
| 12 | Product Manager | Technology | €51k | €73,000 | €140k | €36 |
| 13 | DevOps Engineer | Technology | €48k | €71,000 | €125k | €35 |
| 14 | Software Engineer | Technology | €40k | €71,000 | €135k | €35 |
| 15 | Cybersecurity Analyst | Technology | €40k | €69,000 | €115k | €34 |
| 16 | Project Manager | Technology | €44k | €69,000 | €105k | €34 |
| 17 | Elevator Technician | Skilled Trades | €32k | €59,000 | €88k | €29 |
| 18 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | €48k | €59,000 | €75k | €29 |
| 19 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | €44k | €56,000 | €75k | €27.50 |
| 20 | UX Designer | Technology | €38k | €56,000 | €97k | €27.50 |
| 21 | Compliance Officer | Legal | €40k | €52,000 | €100k | €25.50 |
| 22 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | €37k | €52,000 | €75k | €25.50 |
| 23 | Data Analyst | Technology | €34k | €49,000 | €81k | €24 |
| 24 | Electrician | Skilled Trades | €33k | €49,000 | €86k | €24 |
| 25 | Financial Analyst | Finance | €35k | €48,000 | €83k | €23.50 |
| 26 | Accountant | Finance | €32k | €46,000 | €78k | €22.50 |
| 27 | Plumber | Skilled Trades | €29k | €46,000 | €77k | €22.50 |
| 28 | Aircraft Mechanic | Aviation | €29k | €44,000 | €71k | €21.50 |
| 29 | Flight Attendant | Aviation | €29k | €38,000 | €58k | €18.50 |
| 30 | HVAC Technician | Skilled Trades | €29k | €36,000 | €53k | €18 |
| 31 | Paralegal | Legal | €29k | €33,000 | €58k | €16.50 |
| 32 | Welder | Skilled Trades | €29k | €31,000 | €66k | €15.50 |
Gross annual pay before tax. Hourly rates assume a standard 39-hour week. How we estimate these figures.
Working in Ireland
Dublin and Cork host the European headquarters of several US tech giants, including Google, Meta and Apple, which keeps tech and finance pay high. The catch is a severe housing shortage: Dublin rent can absorb much of the premium.
Tax
Income tax of 20% and 40% plus USC and PRSI. For a single person the 40% rate starts at €44,000 (2026), so effective rates rise fast.
Tools and guides for Ireland
- Hourly to salary calculator: an hourly wage to yearly pay, with take-home pay in Ireland
Questions about pay in Ireland
What is the highest-paying job in Ireland?
Of the 32 careers Paygrade tracks, surgeons earn the most in Ireland, with a median of about €265,000 a year in 2026. Investment bankers (€135,000) and air traffic controllers (€110,000) follow.
What is the best-paid job in Ireland without a degree?
Air traffic controllers earn a median of about €110,000 a year in Ireland, and the usual route in is certification rather than a university degree.
How much tax will I pay on a salary in Ireland?
Income tax of 20% and 40% plus USC and PRSI. For a single person the 40% rate starts at €44,000 (2026), so effective rates rise fast.