Distribution of Earnings by Gender and County

It's,Raining,Money

Ireland’s distribution of earnings across gender, geography, and sector highlights some significant trends that have implications for the workforce. New figures released from the CSO for 2023 reveal disparities in earnings by gender, with the top 1% of earners being mostly male. A closer look shows how location, specifically residence in Dublin, and employment sector also play critical roles in determining earnings.


Gender Distribution in Earnings

While men and women make up almost equal shares of total employment in Ireland (50.9% male and 49.1% female), men still dominate the upper echelon of earners. Data reveals that within the top 1% of earners, 73.6% are male, leaving just 26.4% of this high-earning category to female employees. This discrepancy suggests that while gender parity is improving overall, there is still considerable ground to cover, especially in executive-level or high-paying positions.

Geographical Insights: Dublin’s High Earnings

Ireland’s capital continues to be a focal point for high earnings, with 56.7% of those in the top 1% of earners residing in Dublin. This concentration is not surprising given Dublin’s role as the economic and business hub of the country. However, it does highlight a substantial geographical disparity in earning potential, with those living in Dublin at an advantage compared to other counties. Median annual earnings reflect this difference, with Dublin boasting the highest median at €47,873, significantly above Donegal, the lowest median at €35,010. Nationally, the median annual earnings stand at €43,221.


Sectoral Breakdown of High Earners

The data also indicates clear trends in which sectors attract high earners by gender. In sectors such as Construction, men represent a 94.7% of top earners, reflecting the traditionally male-dominated nature of the field.

Conversely, Human Health and Social Work have the highest proportion of female top earners, with 37.2% of this sector’s top earners being women. This sector, often associated with caregiving professions, highlights both the potential for women to earn top salaries in fields where they’re well-represented and the need for broader access across diverse industries.


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