This release has been compiled during the COVID-19 crisis. The results contained in this release reflect some of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 situation.
Impact of COVID-19 on earnings statistics
The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions applied in response to it had a significant impact on the Labour Market in 2020. Earnings statistics for 2020 and comparisons with earlier years are impacted by changes in the composition of the labour market across 2020 and when compared to 2019 and earlier years. As shown in the Main Results chapter, the level of earnings has also been impacted by COVID-19 income support schemes introduced in 2020.
Information and communication sector recorded highest mean and median weekly earnings in 2020
Median weekly earnings increased by 5.2% from €598.36 in 2019 to €629.46 in 2020. The Information & communication sector recorded the highest median weekly earnings in 2020 at €1,081.91 where median earnings were €1,186.83 for males and €903.02 for females. The Financial, insurance & real estate sector had the next highest median weekly earnings at €888.35. The lowest median earnings were in the Accommodation & food services sector at €322.85. See Table 4.3.
Mean weekly earnings in all sectors of the economy stood at €801.41 in 2020. The sector with the highest mean weekly earnings was the Information & communication sector at €1,375.36 in 2020 followed by the Financial, insurance & real estate sector at €1,188.60. The Accommodation & food services sector recorded the lowest mean earnings at €369.05. See Table 4.2.
Median weekly earnings in the public sector stood at €890.49 in 2020, an increase of 3.3% from €862.30 in 2019. In the private sector median weekly earnings were €560.40 in 2020, an increase of 4.9% from €534.17 in 2019.
In 2020 public sector mean weekly earnings were €989.80 while the private sector equivalent was €750.29. See table 4.1 to 4.3 and Figure 4.1.
| X-axis label | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| All Sectors | 629.46 | 801.41 |
| R-S Arts, entertainment & recreation | 386 | 496.01 |
| Q Human health & social work | 653.63 | 751.78 |
| P Education | 786.92 | 845.96 |
| O Public administration & defence | 867.33 | 956.74 |
| N Administrative & support services | 525.36 | 658.36 |
| M Professional, scientific & technical services | 741.79 | 1001.2 |
| K-L Financial, insurance & real estate | 888.35 | 1188.6 |
| J Information & communication | 1081.91 | 1375.36 |
| I Accommodation & food services | 332.85 | 369.05 |
| H Transporation & storage | 631.15 | 741.79 |
| G Wholesale & retail | 467.1 | 602 |
| F Construction | 657.55 | 733.33 |
| B-E Industry | 735.84 | 949.93 |
Table 4.5 below presents annual percentage change in median weekly earnings for employments that were active in October of each year being analysed i.e. where the employee is in the same employment, in October of the reference year, for both years being analysed e.g. for 2011-2012 only employments that existed in October in both 2011 and 2012 were included for analysis, if an employment existed in October 2011 but not October 2012, or vice-versa, then it was excluded from being analysed.
Median weekly earnings were highest in enterprises with 1,000 or more employees at €826.67 in 2020, an increase of 4.4% from €791.46 in 2019, with median male earnings at €902.95 and females at €774.31 in 2020. See Table 4.7 and Figure 4.2.
Enterprises with 500-999 employees recorded the highest mean weekly earnings at €993.55 in 2020 with males recording a mean of €1,123.90 and females a mean of €844.53. Enterprises with 1-9 employees had the lowest mean earnings at €530.52 with males earning a mean of €623.88 and females €424.51. See Table 4.6.
| X-axis label | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 9 employees | 512 | 344.37 |
| 10 to 49 employees | 584.98 | 407.25 |
| 50 to 249 employees | 670.9 | 491.88 |
| 250 to 499 employees | 783.91 | 636.81 |
| 500 to 999 employees | 884.33 | 697.57 |
| 1000+ employees | 902.95 | 774.31 |
| Total | 690.56 | 561.23 |
Go to: Age
Learn about our data and confidentiality safeguards, and the steps we take to produce statistics that can be trusted by all.