Teaching is a hugely rewarding career choice and is generally very well respected in most societies worldwide. It's not a particularly easy career choice, and it can be very challenging, but most teachers do it for the sheer passion of teaching.
That said, they don't teach for free and if you're interested in teaching or just wondering how much they earn, here's our guide to how much teachers' salaries and benefits in Ireland.
Understanding Teacher Salaries in Ireland
Whether you're thinking about primary teaching, post-primary teaching, or special education, teaching salaries in Ireland are based on a scale that reflects a teacher's qualifications, experience, and any other additional responsibilities that they may have.
Teachers begin their careers on an established starting salary with incremental increases to their base salaries over time.
Teachers may also receive additional allowances in addition to their base salaries for working in certain areas or taking on certain roles.
We'll look at how this works, regional differences, and how teachers in Ireland compare to other teachers worldwide.
We'll also consider other benefits, such as pensions and leave, and how teachers can maximise their earnings and benefits.
If you're thinking about becoming a teacher but want to ensure that you'll earn enough, read on.
Teacher Salary Scales in Ireland
The salaries paid to teachers in Ireland are based on a scale of career progression and their entry date into the world of teaching.
The salary scales are divided into pre- and post-2011 entry points.
Here's how they break down.
| Point on Scale | Pre-2011 Entry (€) | Post-2011 Entry (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40,917 | 42,935 |
| 2 | 41,769 | 44,572 |
| 3 | 42,969 | 46,441 |
| 4 | 44,174 | 47,294 |
| 5 | 46,042 | 48,495 |
| 6 | 47,252 | 49,946 |
| 7 | 48,461 | 51,574 |
| 8 | 51,506 | 53,263 |
| 9 | 53,068 | 54,692 |
| 10 | 54,966 | 57,268 |
| 11 | 56,868 | 58,878 |
| 12 | 58,795 | 60,802 |
| 13 | 60,408 | 62,715 |
| 14 | 62,545 | 64,647 |
| 17 | 65,489 | 68,394 |
| 21 | 69,382 | 71,340 |
| 25 | 73,680 | 75,232 |
| 27 (Max) | 77,458 | 79,529 |
- Incremental Progression: Teachers move up a point on the yearly scale, provided they meet service requirements.
- Maximum Pay: After 27 years of service, teachers reach the upper boundary on the pay scale.
Differences between Pre-2011 and Post-2011 Salary Scales
The salaries for post-2011 have a higher base salary as these were increased to make teaching more attractive.
Over time, however, the gap between these salaries narrows so that the pay of experienced teachers is similar regardless of whether they started before or after 2011.
Allowances and Bonuses for Teachers in Ireland
In addition to their base salaries, teachers in Ireland are also given various allowances for certain aspects of their roles or working conditions.
- Teaching Through Irish: €1,890
- Gaeltacht Allowance: €3,658
- Island Allowance: €2,200
- Special Education Diploma: €2,911
- Long Service Allowance (35+): €2,774
As you can see here, those who teach in Irish-medium schools or in Gaeltacht will be given additional compensation.
The same is true of teachers who work with students with special needs. They receive a bonus on top of their salary.
Teachers who have already reached the top salary paid on the salary scale are also paid extra after over 35 years of service.
Remember that certain allowances only apply to teachers appointed before February 2012. Be sure to check which of these allowances still apply before you start teaching.
The Impact of Qualifications and Experience on Teacher Salaries
As you can see, the main factors affecting a teacher's salary are their teaching qualifications and experiences. However, there are some other factors to consider.
Qualifications
- Professional Master of Education (PME): Graduates start at Point 1 on the scale, and their salary increases as they gain experience.
- Additional Certifications: Other qualifications and certifications, such as the diploma and special education, result in higher pay with the bonuses paid to teachers.
Experience
Teachers in Ireland will also be rewarded for their years of service.
- Annual Salary Progression: Teachers move up the salary scale annually. While not every progression results in an increased salary, most do.
- Long Service Allowance: The salary scale for teachers in Ireland has 27 steps. However, after 35 years of service, eligible teachers can receive an increased salary.
Advanced Roles
Leadership roles in teaching can be financially rewarding. For instance, deputy principals and principals can earn closer to €100,000 per year, depending on the size of the school, offering a clear path for career progression.
Cost of Living and Regional Salary Variations
The salary scales for teachers in Ireland are standardised across the nation. However, the cost of living in more expensive regions can vary wildly, making teaching in these regions financially challenging.
Dublin's housing, transportation, and childcare costs are among the highest in Europe. Conversely, teachers in rural areas will see their salaries go further.
Certain unions are advocating for additional support or bonuses offered to teachers in high-cost areas, particularly Dublin, to address the issue.
How Teaching Salaries in Ireland Compare to Other Countries
Ireland certainly offers competitive salaries. Given qualification equivalency, it's still worthwhile for teachers to see what they could earn in other countries.
The UK
Starting salaries for teachers vary according to location across the UK, but with averages between £24,000 and £28,000 (about €28,000 and €32,000), this is significantly lower than in Ireland.
The EU
Salaries vary widely across the European Union's member countries. Germany and Switzerland pay more to new teachers, and many earn over €50,000 a year.
That said, southern European countries like Spain and Italy offer lower salaries, closer to €22,000 per year.
Global Demand for Irish Teachers
Irish-qualified teachers are in high demand, and in countries like the UAE and Canada, they can find tax-free salaries or relocation packages.
Benefits Beyond Salaries
So far, we've only discussed the direct financial benefits of being a teacher in Ireland. However, several other bonuses that aren't a teacher's salary should also be considered.
Pensions
Teachers in Ireland enjoy pension contributions from their employers and defined-benefit pensions that offer financial security once they retire.
Paid Leave and Holidays
Teachers enjoy generous holidays, including summer breaks and mid-term holidays. Additional leave is available for maternity, paternity, and sick leave.
Job Security
Teaching is one of the most stable professions in Ireland. It has permanent contracts and strong union representation.
Challenges Facing Teacher Salaries
Generally, teaching in Ireland is a well-compensated profession, but that doesn't mean it isn't subject to some of the same threats that other occupations face.
Pay Freezes
Economic crises tend to threaten teachers and public sector workers with reductions and pay freezes when they occur.
Teachers and other public sector workers are generally more at risk than those working in the private sector.
Inflation and Rising Costs
Like many others, teachers in Ireland see the real value of their salaries eroded as inflation and the cost of living increase. However, unions advocate for teachers' salaries to be adjusted according to location to help counteract the cost of living, particularly in cities like Dublin.
How to Maximise Your Earnings as a Teacher
If you're looking to increase your earnings as a teacher, there are a few options available to you:
- Leadership Roles: Leadership roles in schools come with significantly better salaries. Consider moving into these roles to boost your earnings.
- PLC Course Teaching: Post-Leaving Certificate programmes can offer higher hourly rates than what the average teacher in Ireland earns.
- Private Tutoring: You can earn excellent hourly rates if your subject is in high demand, especially for exams.
The Future of Teacher Salaries in Ireland
Public service agreements have been made to restore and increase teacher salaries, and even further increments are planned.
Unions in Ireland continue to advocate for additional allowances and adjustments to teachers' salaries, particularly in areas where the salaries don't reflect the cost of living.
Overall, a teaching salary in Ireland offers competitive pay packages with excellent benefits and opportunities for growth, even in the face of inflation and urban living costs.
Sure, they could be much better in areas with high living costs, but teachers will likely enjoy financially stable careers and the fulfilment that comes with shaping future generations.
Get Help from Private Tutors
If you're training to become a teacher or looking for ways to improve your teaching, the Superprof website has tutors who can help.
You can search for any subject you teach or skill you'd like to develop on the website.
Plenty of tutors offer the first session for free, so you can try a few before choosing the right one for you and what you'd like to learn or work on. Even if you can't find any local tutors, you can learn almost anything with online tutoring, and they tend to be cheaper as the tutors don't have to worry about travel costs.
This is particularly useful for those pursuing teaching qualifications, looking to change roles, or moving into tutoring themselves.
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