Top 10 pay rises and salary trends in Ireland

Ireland’s pay landscape is shifting, with salaries rising across most sectors but employee dissatisfaction also increasing. Our 2026 Ireland Salary & Recruiting Trends guide analyses over 1,400 salaries, supported by over 600 survey responses, to provide a clear picture of pay levels across the market. Our data shows the average increase nationwide is 2.4%, but behind that figure lies a story of sector-specific surges, mounting dissatisfaction, and growing calls for transparency.

Some sectors surge ahead

No sector has seen stronger pay growth than life sciences, where salaries rose by an average of 6.1%. Employers are battling skills shortages, with the supply of talent failing to meet heavy demand. Quality assurance specialists, research and development scientists, and microbiologists are among those commanding the biggest increases. Contracting rates in the sector are also climbing by 6% to 10%, reflecting the premium placed on niche expertise.

Other sectors also saw above-average pay rises, with procurement recording a notable 3.8% increase, while construction and property, business support, and human resources saw more modest but still above-average rises of 2.8%, 2.7% and 2.6%, respectively. Organisations in these sectors must keep pace with market benchmarks to avoid losing skilled professionals to competitors offering more attractive packages.

Top 10 salary increases in Ireland

Employers keep raising pay but satisfaction slips

Across the board, 83% of employers raised salaries in the past year, up from 79% in 2024. The average increase across all specialisms was 2.4%, and 81% of employers say they plan to raise pay again in the next 12 months. Bonus payments remain widespread, although satisfaction is slipping slightly, with three-quarters (75%) of professionals who received a bonus saying they were happy with the amount, down from 77% last year. Employers may need to rethink how bonuses are structured and communicated, ensuring they are tied clearly to performance and responsibility.

Growing discontent among employees

Despite widespread increases, dissatisfaction with pay is rising. Close to half (44%) of employees now say they’re unhappy with their salary, a notable jump from those who said the same a year ago (34%). Nearly half (47%) believe their pay is not aligned with their responsibilities. The top reasons cited are that salaries fail to reflect individual performance, responsibilities or expertise. This suggests that blanket pay rises might not be enough. Employees want to see a clear link between their unique contribution and their compensation, and employers who fail to provide that risk losing talent.

Workers call for pay transparency

Alongside concerns about fairness, transparency is emerging as a critical issue. Four in five (80%) professionals believe organisations should be open about compensation, and the overwhelming majority (92%) say they would be more likely to apply for a role if the salary is listed upfront. Yet employer practices often fall short. Only 28% have set criteria for salary increases, 23% publicise salary banding structures, and just 8% publicise all employee salaries. To improve pay transparency – and in turn boost employee trust and attract high-calibre applicants – employers should consider publishing salary ranges in job adverts and establishing clear, consistent criteria for pay rises.

Looking ahead: staying competitive in a shifting market

As Ireland’s pay landscape continues to evolve, employers who balance competitive salaries with transparency and fairness will be best placed to attract and retain talent. Understanding these shifts is essential for staying ahead in a competitive market.

For more insights into the latest salary trends and much more, access our 2026 Ireland Salary & Recruiting Trends guide.