This chapter firstly looks at the real average weekly earnings of three occupation groups in the Industry sector over the thirty year period 1985 to 2015, namely managerial, clerical and industrial workers.  Secondly, real average weekly earnings for seven occupational breakdowns in the Construction sector over the period 1969 to 2015 are presented.

Managerial workers have the highest average weekly earnings in the Industry sector over the period 1985 to 2015. Average weekly earnings increased steadily from €800 in 1985 to €1,174 in 2005. After a fall in 2006 and 2007, average earnings increased steadily, reaching €1,450 in 2015.

Clerical workers were the second highest earnings group in the Industry sector over the period. Average earnings increased steadily for clerical workers from €506 in 1985 to €767 in 2007. Earnings fell in 2008 and 2010 and have since remained flat, standing at €755 in 2015.

Industrial workers were the lowest paid occupational group across the series. Average weekly earnings increased from €450 in 1985 to €664 in 2009, fell in 2010 and 2011 but have increased since, and stood at €685 in 2015.

Managerial workers earned 37% more than clerical workers in 1985 and 44% more than industrial workers. In 2015, managerial workers earned 48% and 53% more than clerical and industrial workers respectively.

Average Earnings in Construction Occupations

Due to the unique nature of work carried out in the Construction sector, occupations were classified differently to other sectors of the economy. Figure 3.2 illustrates the average weekly earnings of the various occupations working in the Construction sector from 1969 to 2015.

From 1969 to 2008 the trends in average weekly earnings of Skilled operatives and Unskilled and Semi-skilled adults were in line with one another, with Skilled operatives earning consistently more than their counterparts across the series. From 1969 to 1991 Skilled operatives earned an average of 15% more than Unskilled and Semi-skilled adults. Beginning in 1992 the earnings of Skilled operatives increased at a faster pace than Unskilled and Semi-skilled adults, with Skilled operatives earning 26% more by 1998. This gap narrowed again from 2005 onwards as earnings for skilled operatives declined while earnings of Unskilled and Semi-skilled remained flat, leaving an earnings gap of 11.9% in 2008.

Foremen and supervisors had the highest real average weekly earnings in the Construction sector from 1987 to 2008, followed by Skilled operatives and Unskilled and Semi-skilled adults. Apprentices and Unskilled and Semi-skilled juveniles had similar real average weekly earnings between 1987 and 2008 and also had the lowest earnings in the Construction sector.

Go to: Earnings by Gender