While it shouldn't be the only thing you consider for your career, your earning potential is worth thinking about.
Different sources provide different figures for average salaries for most roles, but these are the jobs that we see popping up again and again when it comes to who's the best paid in the country.
With any of these roles, you'd likely earn a good salary.
Pilots
The typical pilot salary is around €25,600 a year or €2,208 a month, but this is across all pilots.
Pilots don't necessarily need a university degree but they do need a pilot's licence. We should also add that the course to become a pilot can cost thousands.
The courses can also take a few years, much like a university degree.
However, once qualified and experienced, commercial airline pilots on long-haul routes for major airlines can earn a lot more than this average.
Pharmaceuticals Executives
Pharmaceutical executives are responsible for strategic planning, business operations, and management within pharmaceutical companies.
Pharmaceutical companies have a big presence in Ireland and high-level roles within these companies pay generously.
Their average pay we found was reported to be around €45,000 a year or just €3,750 a month. However, we believe the real figure to be much higher.
Data Scientists
Data scientists use statistical, mathematical, and computational techniques to better understand large and complex datasets.
To work as a data scientist, it's a good idea to study a degree in computer science, statistics, maths, physics, engineering, economics, or data science.
Data scientists also use programming skills and it's common for them to have learnt how to program in programming languages like Python, R, SQL, or Java.
In Ireland, data scientists typically earn around €50,000 a year or around €4,000 a month. Entry-level roles tend to start at closer to €40,000 a year.
Medical Consultants
Medical consultants are often simply referred to as "consultants" within the industry. However, to differentiate them from marketing consultants, financial consultants, etc., we'll call them medical consultants.
With so many different roles and specialisations, it's difficult to pin down an exact average salary. Across all specialisations, the average salary is closer to €50,000 a year or slightly over €4,000 a month.
Medical consultants can specialise in areas like cardiology, oncology, neurology, surgery, paediatrics, etc. and need to regularly study and brush up on their specialisation to ensure they're up-to-date with the latest practices.
Engineers
The typical engineering role in Ireland pays around €55,000 a year or €4,500 a month. Engineering has always been a well-paid career choice, but with so many choices for specialisation, you can maximise your earning potential with some wise academic and career choices.
You'll have to choose your specialisation before you start your studies. There are areas like civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, and biomedical engineering.
Once you've completed your undergraduate degree, you'll have options for further study, gaining practical experience, or a combination of the two.
Software Engineers
Software engineers in Ireland can earn an average of €62,500 a year.
Software engineering is another broad field with different specialisations and roles, making the accuracy of an “average” salary debatable.
Software engineers need to think about the type of industry that they'll work in as well as the specific skills (such as programming languages) that they'll need to develop.
While degrees in computer science, software engineering, etc. are recommended, you can gain programming skills through shorter courses and programmes or simply by teaching yourself.
Look into the kind of programming that you'd like to do, the technology that it's commonly used for, and the job prospects in specific areas.
Programming is one of the best jobs you can do remotely, too.
IT Managers
IT Managers in Ireland typically earn around €70,000 a year or €6,000 a month.
Their job is to oversee most of the IT operations within a company, firm, or organisation.
Like many of the other high-paying jobs in Ireland, this isn't one that you can jump straight into and nor is it one where you'll immediately command such a high salary.
Instead, you'll likely need to study IT or a related field at university and work your work up within IT.
Financial Services Executives
The financial services industry, which includes banking and investment firms, is literally where all the money is. Those who work at the very top of the companies will naturally earn very handsome salaries.
Generally, you'll need to study a degree in finance, business administration, economics, or accounting. From there, you'll need to work your way up within the financial services industry.
Further studies like an MBA are recommended as well as professional certifications like Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), etc.
Top-level executives can earn around €65,000 a year or close to €5,500 a month.
Actuaries
Actuaries earn around €70,000 a year or just under €6,000 a month. An actuary analyses financial risks through maths and statistics.
You can become an actuary through the Society of Actuaries in Ireland. There are professional qualifications that you have to complete and the entry requirements for these can include H1 or H2 grades in Leaving Cert Higher Level Mathematics or equivalent qualifications. A degree from an Irish university that includes mathematics, actuarial science, etc. is also accepted.
From there, you can complete actuarial exams, which are held twice a year in the spring and autumn.
Certain university courses in Ireland may offer exemptions from some of the actuarial exams offered by the Society of Actuaries in Ireland.
These courses include degrees in Actuarial and Financial Studies, Actuarial Mathematics, Financial Mathematics & Actuarial Science, etc.
Legal Professionals
Law is another one of those industries where most of the people involved tend to earn well. The exclusivity of the legal profession allows those qualified to command higher salaries.
Lawyers earn a reported average of €73,000 a year or €6,000 a month, but there are many different legal roles and specialisations available.
Ideally, you'll start your career by studying a law degree. From there, you'll have options to specialise and move into different areas of law.
Management Consultants
A management consultant can earn an average of around €75,000 a year or €6,250 a month.
Entry-level management consultancy roles tend to start at closer to €50,000 per year.
You don't technically need any qualifications to become a management consultant, but it does help to have studied business, economics, or a related field.
It's also a good idea to study a bachelor's degree anyway.
Relevant work experience is a must and so are results.
Further education is also recommended and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) could also help.
Investment Manager
Your average investment manager earns €75,000 a year. The pay scale is very similar to that of management consultants and roles at these levels across several industries are very competitive.
Unfortunately, that's where the similarities lie and many of these roles start to become quite specialised at the higher level.
To become an investment manager, you could also study finance or economics. Generally, degrees in business, statistics, mathematics, and accounting are recommended. After that, you should look to complete an MBA or another professional qualification.
You should look to start your career as an investment analyst and work your way up to investment manager.
Dentists and Orthodontists
The typical dentist's salary is €100,000 a year or around €8,000 a month. Entry-level dentist positions are closer to €60,000 per year.
To become a dentist, you'll need to complete a degree program and only University College Dublin and Trinity College offer them.
As a result, these courses are highly competitive and require incredibly high (sometimes perfect) CAO scores for your Leaving Cert.
After that, the course takes five years of full-time study, which means dentistry definitely isn't a suitable job for teenagers.
There are also training programmes and other requirements that you need to complete to become a fully-fledged dentist.
Medical Specialists
While the average doctor's salary in Ireland is closer to €60,000, specialisation can highly boost your earning potential.
As one of the most competitive and complicated areas to get into (students need near-perfect Leaving Cert results), medicine pays very well.
It also takes years of study and even more if you want to specialise.
Once you've done this and gained experience in your specialist area, you can earn a lot, especially for those who choose to become surgeons.
Tech Executives
The tech industry is huge in Ireland and those who rise to the top are paid very well.
A Chief Technical Officer (CTO) can earn somewhere between €90,000 and €160,000 in Dublin or between €85,000 and €120,000 nationally.
per year.
If you're choosing a university degree, you should look to areas like computer science, software engineering, information technology, or business administration with a focus on technology management.
You'll need management and leadership skills as well as technical expertise. As a high-level role, you won't start your career here and will have to work your way up gaining experience.
As you'll be in the world of tech, you'll also need to stay up-to-date with developments.
| Job Title | Average Salary (€) | Years of Study Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | €62,500 | 3–4 years |
| Data Scientist | €50,000 | 3–4 years |
| Medical Consultant | €50,000–€100,000+ | 10+ years |
| IT Manager | €70,000 | 3–4 years + experience |
| Pilot (Long Haul) | €80,000–€120,000 | 2–3 years (licensing) |
| Investment Manager | €75,000 | 3–4 years + CFA/MBA |
| Dentist | €100,000 | 5–6 years |
| Tech Executive (CTO) | €90,000–€160,000 | 3–4 years + leadership track |
| Management Consultant | €75,000 | 3–4 years + MBA recommended |
| Actuary | €70,000 | 3–4 years + actuarial exams |
Factors to Consider
Remember that across Ireland, salaries aren't equal. Since you'll end up paying more to live in Dublin, professionals are typically paid more there.
Within a company, different jobs may be prioritised so a job may command a higher salary in one company than another.
You should also think about opportunities across different industries. Even if average salaries are high in a certain area of healthcare, for example, you may find that there aren't openings.
While you can't predict the future, especially several years into the future, search for jobs and professions in industries that are likely to have career options in the future.
Don't forget that you need to look for a job that you'll enjoy, too!
If you need help with qualifying for a high-paying role or just choosing what to do, remember that there are private tutors on the Superprof website who can help!
How Location Affects Your Earning Potential
Where you work in Ireland will affect how much you can earn in the same position. For example, Dublin often offers the highest salaries in Ireland to match the increased cost of living.
However, this does mean that for many jobs, the financial gains of working there are easily offset by costs. That said, the capital does remain the most lucrative for the highest-paying roles.
For example, a software engineer who earns between €65,000 and €80,000 in Dublin may be paid closer to €55,000 to €65,000 in Cork or Galway.
Medical consultants and financial executives in Dublin also tend to earn more since many private institutions are headquartered there.
This doesn't mean that Dublin is the only place with high salaries. Data scientists, engineers, and pharmaceutical professionals can earn well in other cities, especially in sector-specific hubs like Limerick and Waterford.
When looking for a high-salary position, remember how much the cost of where you'll be will affect it!
Remote Work and High Salaries: What You Need to Know
Remote and hybrid work has transformed the job market in Ireland for high-earning professionals in tech, finance, and consulting.
Remote-first roles allow Irish professionals to work for global companies without relocating. Some earn €20,000–€40,000 more by taking positions with firms based in the US or mainland Europe.
Working from home can offer flexibility and open the door to higher pay from international employers.
Software developers, data analysts, and IT consultants benefit from this phenomenon. Global companies often hire talent from all over the world, meaning that workers in Ireland can earn salaries that match those of other countries.
Traditionally, office-based roles like actuaries or management consultants also benefit from the shift to remote or hybrid work without having to relocate to Dublin or other major cities to secure top salaries.
Costs are also reduced for hybrid or remote workers, particularly when they don't need to pay for more expensive accommodation near their work or commute to the office.
Fast-Track Qualifications for Lucrative Careers
Several roles pay well without the need for years at university. For jobs with specific skills, focused qualifications, conversion courses, or professional certifications can get you on track far quicker than a more general degree.
Fast-track and flexible courses can help boost your salary without committing years to education or leaving your current job.
Data scientists and cybersecurity professionals can look to one-year postgraduate diplomas or boot camps, which many private training providers and universities offer. These programmes can teach skills like Python, SQL, data visualisation, and ethical hacking, for example.
Postgraduate diplomas in areas like data analytics or cybersecurity can lead to €60k+ jobs within a year, making them some of the best ROI options for Irish students and career changers.
In finance, the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can help you land roles that earn between €60,000 and €100,000 a year and can be completed within 1 and 3 years while still working.
AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure certifications can also fast-track applicants into cloud engineering or systems architecture roles, where salaries can start at around €70,000.
Emerging High-Paying Tech Roles in Ireland
Since Ireland's tech sector is growing rapidly, there's a demand for specialised roles with salaries beyond the national averages.
Ireland has one of the fastest-growing tech sectors in Europe, and tech salaries in Dublin are now rivaling those in London and Berlin for roles like AI engineers, DevOps specialists, and cloud architects.
Software engineering and IT management are consistently high earners, and the wave of newer, in-demand tech jobs in areas like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity all have high salaries.
Machine learning engineers, for example, are among Ireland's top earners. Their salaries range between €80,000 and €130,000, depending on experience and industry.
These professionals are responsible for designing systems that learn and adapt automatically, which have applications in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and e-commerce.
Cloud architects who design and manage scalable cloud environments can earn between €75,000 and €120,000 in major firms.
Cybersecurity specialists have seen increased value, with regulatory pressure and data protection needs helping their salaries. With starting salaries around €65,000, they can earn six figures in leadership positions.
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