What are the top 20 highest-paying jobs in Ireland? Find the most in-demand jobs and begin applying right away!
Ireland’s GDP per capita is expected to reach 78,500.00 USD by the end of 2021. It is also expected to grow further, reaching around 80,000.00 USD by 2024.
Following COVID-19, the Irish job market is beginning to recover, and there are numerous job openings across the country. This includes a large number of well-paying positions.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to make a career change or if you’re a student planning for the future. In either case, this guide can assist you in making the best choices (from a financial perspective).
Continue reading to find out more about the best-paying jobs in Ireland, as well as the degrees that can help you get them.
In Ireland, what salary is considered wealthy?
The average annual salary in 2021 will be €53,817. This is more than the European average, which is around €34,588 per year.
Those who work in Ireland’s highest-paying jobs and are considered “rich” typically earn between €80,000 and €100,000 per year or more.
Of course, we must point out that the term “rich” in Ireland, as in the rest of the world, is relative.
A salary of €75,000 would be more than enough for a single person with no children. However, for someone with three children, a salary of more than €100,000 is likely to be required in order to live comfortably.
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What Is the Highest-Paid Job in Ireland?
The highest-paid job in Ireland is Chief Executive Officer, which is the highest-paid job in the country (or CEO). Those who own their own businesses have numerous opportunities to earn large salaries and live comfortably.
In Ireland, the highest salary for a CEO is around €163,000 per year. For context, that equates to approximately £135,610 or $176,050 USD.
Want to earn a high salary but don’t want to be a CEO? There are numerous other high-paying jobs in Ireland to consider, including the following:
- IT Manager
Average Annual Salary: €84,000
- Senior Quantity Surveyor
Average Annual Salary: €84,000
- Product Manager
Average Annual Salary: €86,000
- Engineering Project Manager
Average Annual Salary: €87,000
- Lawyer/Solicitor
Average Annual Salary: €87,764
- Quality Assurance Manager
Average Annual Salary: €89,000
- Physician
Average Annual Salary: €90,000
- Dentist
Average Annual Salary: €91,000
- Programmer
Average Annual Salary: €92,000
- Software Architect
Average Annual Salary: €93,000
- IT Senior Project Manager
Average Annual Salary: €96,000
- Solutions Architect
Average Annual Salary: €97,000
- Software Development Manager
Average Annual Salary: €101,000
- Technical Architect
Average Annual Salary: €103,000
- General Practitioner
Average Annual Salary: €123,000
- Director of Operations
Average Annual Salary: €130,000
- Sales Director
Average Annual Salary: €130,000
- District Court Judge
Average Annual Salary: €136,124
- Finance Director
Average Annual Salary: €139,000
- Chief Executive Officer
Average Annual Salary: €163,000
Ireland’s Top 5 Highest-Paying Industries
As in other countries, certain industries in Ireland are known for paying higher wages (on average) than others. If you want to work in one of Ireland’s highest-paying industries, here are five options to consider:
1. Business/Finance
Understandably, the business/finance industry is among the highest-paying industries in Ireland. Whether you want to work for a large corporation or start your own business, there are many high-paying jobs in this field to choose from, including the following:
Top Three Job Titles
- Chief Executive Officer: €163,000 per year on average
- Finance Director: €139,000 per year on average
- Average Annual Salary for a Sales Director: €130,000
Prospects for Employment
In Ireland, there are numerous job opportunities in the business/finance sector. Prospects for those who want to work in this field look very promising, especially for those who want to work their way up to a higher-paying position.
Starting as a salesperson, financial analyst, or consultant, for example, can allow you to earn a high salary while also learning from experts and gaining the experience necessary to one day become a director or executive.
2. Medical care
Ireland, like many other countries, has one of the highest-paying industries in the world: healthcare. Those who work in healthcare typically must spend a significant amount of time in school developing their skills, so it stands to reason that their pay should reflect the amount of effort they put in to earn their job titles.
If you want to work in one of the highest-paying jobs in healthcare, here are three of the best options:
Top Three Job Titles
- Average Annual Salary for a Sales Director: €130,000
- Dentists earn an average annual salary of €91,000
- Physicians earn an average annual salary of €90,000
Prospects for Employment
Job opportunities in the healthcare industry are excellent both now and in the future. The demand for healthcare workers has increased dramatically in the last year and a half as a result of COVID-19, and the demand is still very high (and will likely remain high for years to come).
Also Read: How to Get a Job in a Large Company in Singapore
It makes no difference whether you want to work as a general practitioner, dentist, nurse, or in any other capacity in healthcare. Your chances of finding work and earning a good salary appear to be very good.
3. Information and communication technology
Another high-paying industry in Ireland is an information technology (or IT) (and throughout the world). Most IT jobs provide ample opportunity for advancement, and there are numerous positions available, some of which do not necessitate a specific level of formal education.
Here are the top three highest-paying IT jobs to consider:
Top Three Job Titles
- Average Annual Salary for a Technical Architect: €103,000
- Average Annual Salary for a Software Development Manager: €101,000
- Average Annual Salary for a Solutions Architect: €97,000
Prospects for Employment
For those interested in working in the IT industry, the prospects are excellent. If you consider yourself to be technologically savvy, or if you are willing to undergo training to become technologically savvy, there are numerous job opportunities available at businesses of all sizes.
From healthcare to marketing, almost every business can benefit from some form of IT support, and your skills will be very useful now and in the future.
4. Engineering
Another safe bet for those looking to earn a high salary in Ireland is the engineering industry. Engineering jobs require a high level of skill, and engineers play an important role in assisting all types of businesses to grow and succeed.
If you’re considering a career in engineering and want to maximize your earnings potential, here are three of the highest-paying jobs to pursue:
Top Three Job Titles
- Engineering Project Manager: €87,000 per year on average
- Automation Engineer: Annual Salary of €72,160
- Aeronautical Engineer: €63641 Average Annual Salary
Prospects for Employment
For those interested in working in the engineering field, the job prospects are very promising. There will always be a high demand for talented, skilled workers in this industry. For students who are unsure about a career path, engineering is a lucrative option that can provide numerous opportunities and job security.
5. Legal
Another high-paying industry in Ireland is the legal profession. This industry may be more competitive than others, but there are still opportunities for jobs and career growth if you’re willing to put in a lot of effort ahead of time.
You’re not sure what type of legal job you want to pursue. The following are three of the highest-paying legal job titles:
Top Three Job Titles
- Average Annual Salary of a District Court Judge: €136,124
- Average Annual Salary for a Lawyer/Solicitor: €87,764
- Average Annual Salary for a Legal Advisor: €58917
Prospects for Employment
The legal industry is not growing as quickly as some of Ireland’s other industries, and it can be more difficult to find work in this field. This, however, should not be a deterrent to those considering a career change in the legal industry or who are currently studying law in school.
There will always be a demand for legal professionals in Ireland and around the world. There are still opportunities for those who are passionate about upholding the law.
The Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Ireland for Recent Graduates
Those who are about to graduate from university, as well as those who are currently in school and want to maximize their earnings once they graduate, should know what type of job will pay the most right out of school.
The five highest-paying jobs in Ireland for recent graduates are as follows:
1. Aeronautical Engineer
Engineering jobs are consistently among the highest-paying jobs in Ireland, both for experienced professionals and for recent graduates. Aeronautical engineering is one of the highest-paying engineering jobs to consider.
As countries (and billionaires like Jeff Bezos) work to expand their space exploration efforts, there is an increasing demand for aeronautical engineers to help with the technical aspects of things. Aeronautical engineers earn an average salary of €87,298 per year, which is commensurate with this need.
Aside from aeronautical engineering, there are numerous other engineering jobs in Ireland to consider. Chemical engineers, for example, can start at around €60,000 per year and work their way up to an average salary of around €80,000 per year.
2. Architect Associate
Architects can also earn a good living right out of college. Associate architects who are just starting out can expect a starting salary of around €60,000 per year, with plenty of opportunities for growth (and pay raises) over time.
Students should remember that there is always a need for skilled professionals who can assist with the design process for homes, commercial buildings, and other structures. As a result, there is a high level of job security in this field.
3. Solicitor/Lawyer
It is true that lawyers must spend a significant amount of time in school before they can begin practicing. In Ireland, for example, becoming a lawyer takes an average of 3-7 years.
Despite the fact that it takes time to become qualified to practice law, most legal professionals believe that the long-term salary benefits outweigh the initial effort required.
Typically, newly qualified solicitors earn around €40,000 per year. This may not seem like much in comparison to some of the other jobs on this list, but it is more than many entry-level positions in Ireland.
Lawyers can earn much more than this per year over time. After all, the average salary in Ireland for a lawyer is €87,764.
4. User Interface/UX Designer
The UI/UX (short for User Interface/User Experience) designer position in the Information Technology industry has one of the highest starting salaries for recent graduates.
The average starting salary for a new UI/UX designer is around €45,000. However, as you can see from the list of IT jobs above, there is the potential to earn much more than this if you stay in the IT field for a long enough period of time.
A career as a UI/UX designer also does not necessitate a specific educational path. Many people who work in these fields have a degree in computer science, but it is not always required. Many others are hired after completing a short-term course in coding, programming, or UI/UX design.
5. Financial Analyst
For recent graduates with a degree in finance, accounting, or a related field, the financial analyst position is one of the highest-paying jobs in Ireland.
A financial risk analyst, for example, can start at around €40,000 per year.
However, as with the other careers on this list, there is plenty of room for advancement in this field. You could begin as a financial analyst and earn a modest salary, but you could eventually advance to a career as a consultant, advisor, or director, all of which pay significantly more.
Financial analyst positions not only pay well for recent graduates, but they also provide a lot of job security. Individuals and businesses alike can benefit from the assistance of a professional who can provide financial advice and ensure proper money management.
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A degree in finance or accounting does not take as long to complete as some other degrees. Most people can complete a four-year degree and begin working immediately after graduation.
What Degree Is the Highest Paying in Ireland?
Of course, if you want to land one of the best-paying jobs in Ireland for recent graduates, you’ll need the appropriate degree or training.
Here are some of the highest-paying degrees to consider if you want to start working in Ireland right away:
Degree Type |
Potential Annual Salary |
Engineering |
€63,641 to €87,000 per year |
Architecture |
€60,000 to €87,000 per year |
Law |
€40,000 to €87,764 per year |
Computer Science |
€45,000 to €103,000 per year |
Finance |
€40,000 to €64,000 per year |
Of course, these are just estimated to give you an idea of what you could earn after graduating from an Irish university.
These are all excellent degrees to consider if you want to maximize your earnings and start earning a good living as soon as you graduate. There are, however, numerous other degrees to consider, such as medical degrees and business degrees.
It’s also worth noting that these jobs and degrees have some of the highest starting salaries.
There are plenty of other jobs in Ireland that pay more, but it takes time to get there. If you want to make as much money as possible right after graduating from high school, one of these jobs might be a better fit.
Obtain One of Ireland’s Highest-Paying Jobs Today
Are you prepared to land one of Ireland’s highest-paying jobs? As you can see, there are numerous options to consider, whether you are a student considering your future or a seasoned workforce veteran looking to make a career change.
Keep this information in mind so you can begin honing your skills, enrolling in the appropriate classes, and taking the necessary steps to ensure you get hired.
Do you require assistance in your search for well-paying jobs in Ireland? CareerCartz makes it easier than ever for you to find jobs that match your goals and qualifications.
Check out our free job search tool today to narrow your options and find the best and highest-paying jobs in your area.
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