Ireland is one of Europe's leading hubs for software engineering, with opportunities for careers at every level, thanks to the presence of many tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.
Jobs in Ireland are not only in demand but also offer significant potential for career advancement, making software engineering a promising choice for aspiring developers and experienced engineers looking to elevate their careers.
In this article, we'll examine several important factors that influence the typical salaries paid in software engineering in Ireland.
Average Software Engineer Salary in Ireland by Experience
Like with many other careers, there are a number of factors that affect the average salary paid. The main one is experience, with salaries increasing over time.
Naturally, there are too many other factors to safely say exactly how many years in the industry equates to certain salary increases. However, these are some of the typical salary ranges to give you a better idea of what you could expect your salary to be.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): €35,000 - €45,000 per year
- Mid-Level (3-5 years): €50,000 - €65,000 per year
- Senior-Level (6+ years): €70,000 - €100,000+ per year
- Lead/Principal Engineers: €100,000 - €120,000+ per year
These figures are base salaries and can be increased with other types of compensation like bonuses, stock options, and other perks, which, in some cases, can significantly increase earning potential.
Here are these salaries broken down as monthly earnings to give you a better idea of your disposable income.
€2,900 - €3,750 per month.
€4,100 - €5,400 per month.
€5,800 - €8,300 per month.
Factors that Influence Software Engineer Salaries
Several factors affect a software engineer's salary in Ireland. Here are each of the key factors and how they'll affect earning potential.
Experience
As we've alluded to, experience is just one of the factors that affects salary, and so far, we've measured this in years. Experience, however, doesn't translate directly to years worked, as it's affected by what you do and your responsibilities, which tend to increase as you progress through your career.
Experience, location, technical skills, and company type significantly influence software engineer salaries, with Dublin and tech giants offering the highest pay.
They typically align with the timeframes we outlined earlier, but here's what the levels equate to regarding responsibility.
- Junior Developers: Focus on programming and basic development tasks.
- Mid-Level Engineers: Handle end-to-end software development and architecture.
- Senior Engineers: Oversee project management, design systems, and lead technical decisions.
- Lead/Principal Engineers: Provide technical leadership, innovate solutions, and work closely with stakeholders.
Location
Software engineers in Ireland are generally paid differently depending on where they work.
The higher the cost of living somewhere, the more companies tend to offer to lure the best talent to work for them. Remember that salaries aren't always scaled perfectly to reflect the cost of living. In costlier places like Dublin, this could mean you have less disposable income at the end of each month.
Here's how the average salaries break down across a few different cities in Ireland:
€45,000 - €120,000+
€40,000 - €85,000
€38,000 - €80,000
€37,000 - €75,000
One way to circumvent the higher cost of living while commanding a high salary is to look for well-paid remote opportunities, which allow you to live somewhere cheaper.
Technical Skills
Different software engineers in the same location with the same experience can differentiate themselves with their specific skills, and depending on the industry you work in, certain skills are more in demand than others.
Some of the more desirable skills in software engineering include:
- Programming Languages: Java, Python, Ruby, and SQL
- Cloud Development: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
- Data Engineering: SQL, data pipelines, and analytics
- DevOps Tools: Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD
- Cybersecurity: Security testing and threat prevention
Company and Industry
One reason software engineering is so well-paid in Ireland is the number of companies involved. Different companies pay different amounts, and so will different specific industries within software engineering.
The main companies and industries in Ireland include.
Google, Apple, and Facebook offer competitive compensation, including stock options.
Roles in payments and blockchain tend to earn above-average pay in Ireland.
Salaries may be lower but include equity or growth opportunities within the company.
Software Engineering in Ireland versus Other Countries
Software engineering is a popular choice in Ireland because of the salaries and opportunities, but how does it stack up against other major tech hubs in Europe and worldwide.
- Ireland: Average €60,000 per year
- United States: €90,000 - €120,000 per year
- Germany: €55,000 - €75,000 per year
- France: €45,000 - €65,000 per year
- India: €10,000 - €20,000 per year
Ireland is among the best in Europe, and while it doesn't compare with software engineering in the United States, Ireland typically offers software engineers a better work-life balance than those in the States.
The Highest-Paying Software Development Jobs
If you have your sights set on a lucrative career in software development, in-demand skills and experience will naturally increase your earning potential, but these are the main roles that tend to come with the highest salaries.
- Software Architect: €90,000 - €120,000
- DevOps Engineer: €80,000 - €100,000
- AI/ML Engineer: €85,000 - €110,000
- Full-Stack Developer: €70,000 - €90,000
- Cybersecurity Specialist: €80,000 - €100,000
Roles like Software Architect (€90,000–€120,000) and AI/ML Engineer (€85,000–€110,000) offer the highest earning potential in Ireland’s tech industry.
Benefits and Perks for Software Engineers in Ireland
So far, we've focused mainly on software engineers' salaries. Still, other benefits and perks are often included in their remuneration.
These are some of the most common benefits for software engineers working in Ireland.
- Performance Bonuses: Annual bonuses based on individual or team performance can significantly boost total earnings.
- Stock Options and Equity: Offered primarily by tech giants and startups, equity packages allow engineers to benefit from company growth.
- Health Insurance: Many companies provide private healthcare plans for employees and their families.
- Pension Contributions: Employers often match employee contributions to retirement plans, ensuring long-term financial security.
- Remote Work Flexibility: Remote and hybrid work options are increasingly common, allowing engineers to work from anywhere in Ireland.
- Learning and Development: Companies frequently sponsor certifications, courses, and conferences to help engineers expand their skills.
- Paid Time Off: Generous vacation policies, parental leave, and sick leave are standard among multinational companies.
Be sure to consider these when looking for roles. While a lucrative salary is certainly attractive, there may be roles with a slightly lower salary but a much better selection of benefits and perks.
How to Increase Your Earning Potential as a Software Engineer
If you like the sound of the upper ranges of these salaries, here are some of our tips for improving your potential salary:
- Learn High-Demand Skills: Master languages like Java, Python, and tools like AWS.
- Pursue Certifications: Certifications in cloud platforms, data engineering, and DevOps tools can increase your earning potential.
- Negotiate Offers: Use data on average salaries to negotiate for a better package.
- Work for Tech Giants: Multinational companies offer higher salaries and better benefits.
- Specialise: Focus on niches like AI, cybersecurity, or cloud architecture, which are in high demand.
As you've seen, software engineers in Ireland are in a great position regarding pay and career opportunities. Whether you're a new developer or aiming for a lead role, Ireland's tech landscape is full of rewarding jobs and generous compensation.
Dublin generally leads the way regarding opportunities, with developers familiar with Java, SQL, and Ruby being particularly well-paid.
Compared to other countries, Ireland is an attractive destination for tech professionals who want to develop niche skills, lead teams, and join fast-growing companies or tech giants.
Learn More About Software Engineering with a Private Tutor
Whether you're studying a degree in software engineering, doing a short course, or looking to add some skills to your software engineering CV, a private tutor can help.
The Superprof website has skilled and experienced tutors for almost every skill you can think of, including the key skills that could make your pay even better.
To find a suitable tutor, search for the skill or subject you need help with, and you can browse the profiles of tutors in Ireland and around the world.
While it won't be too much of a concern once you're earning a software engineering salary, many of the tutors on the Superprof website offer the first session for free, allowing you to try potential tutors before making your final choice.
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