Kildare workers are the second highest paid in country - CSO

Kildare workers are the second highest paid in country, new Central Statistics Office (CSO) data shows.

Nationally, Dublin had the highest median annual earnings (€47,873) and the highest mean earnings (€63,048).

The CSO report broke down earnings by age and gender, and found that the median annual earnings were lowest among the 15-24 age group for both men (€23,658) and women (€20,382).

It found that gender representation across the total workforce is relatively equal – but that males accounted for 61.5% of those with earnings in the top 25%.

Among employments with earnings in the top 1%, males represented 73.6%, while the corresponding figure for females was 26.4%.

Dublin was followed by Kildare at €46,819, Meath at €44,902, Wicklow at €44,750 and Cork €44,348. Each of these counties had median annual earnings greater than those of the State's €43,221.

The CSO said the lowest median annual earnings were recorded in Donegal at €35,010, Monaghan at €35,894 and Kerry at €37,151 in 2023.

The CSO noted that 56.7% of employments with earnings in the top 1% were held by those living in Dublin.

Today's CSO figures also show a near even split between the number of men and women employed last year.

Men accounted for 50.9% of all employments active for at least 50 weeks last year, while women accounted for 49.1% of all employments.

Financial expert James Dorrian of the National Pension Helpline explained that Dublin reported the highest median annual earnings at €47,873, followed by Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, and Cork.

“These five counties all surpassed the national median earnings of €43,221,” he said. “Again, over half of the top 1% earners lived in Dublin, while the Border and Midlands regions accounted for only 2% of these top earners.

“The lowest median annual earnings were seen in Donegal (€35,010), Monaghan (€35,894), and Kerry (€37,151).”