26.05.202610:18:16UTC+00Irish Average Weekly Earnings Rise 4.4% in Q1

Average weekly earnings in Ireland increased by 4.4% year-on-year to €1,074.61 in the first quarter of 2026, accelerating from a 3.1% rise in the previous quarter. Earnings grew in 11 of the 13 economic sectors in Q1 2026, with the strongest increase of 7.7% recorded in the administrative and support services sector, followed by a 6.7% rise in the education sector. Average hourly earnings also recorded robust annual growth, rising by 4.0% to €33.13 and increasing in 11 of the 13 sectors. Meanwhile, average weekly paid hours edged up by 0.3%, from 32.3 hours in Q1 2025 to 32.4 hours in Q1 2026. According to Dr Niall O’Sullivan, Statistician in the Earnings Analysis Division, average earnings in the economy continue to rise year-on-year, supported by several factors, including a broadly stable job vacancy rate since 2024.