This release has been compiled during the COVID-19 crisis. The results contained in this release reflect some of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 situation.
Impact of COVID-19 on earnings statistics
The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions applied in response to it had a significant impact on the Labour Market in 2020. Earnings statistics for 2020 and comparisons with earlier years are impacted by changes in the composition of the labour market across 2020 and when compared to 2019 and earlier years. As shown in the Main Results chapter, the level of earnings has also been impacted by COVID-19 income support schemes introduced in 2020.
UK nationals earned the highest median earnings in 2020
Median weekly earnings were highest among UK nationals in 2020, at €662.33, followed by Irish nationals at €653.35. Males from the UK had the highest median weekly earnings at €760.37, followed by Irish males at €722.67, a difference of 5.2%.
In 2020, male median weekly earnings (€690.56) were 23.0% higher than for females (€561.23); median earnings for males were higher than for females across all nationality groups. Males from the United Kingdom and females from Ireland had the highest median weekly earnings of €760.37 and €582.50 respectively. See Tables 6.1 to 6.3 and Fig 6.2.
| X-axis label | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 722.67 | 582.5 | 653.35 |
| United Kingdom | 760.37 | 545.9 | 662.33 |
| EU27 excl Ireland | 598.29 | 475.6 | 546.82 |
| Other | 600.79 | 545.84 | 579.64 |
| Total | 690.56 | 561.23 | 629.46 |
UK nationals earned the highest median weekly earnings in seven of the thirteen NACE sectors in 2020, of which Information & communication was the highest at €1,232.35, where earnings ranged from €1,035.06 for Irish nationals to €1,232.35 for nationals from the United Kingdom. The lowest median weekly earnings was seen in the Accommodation & food services sector at €332.85, where earnings ranged from €301.66 for Irish nationals to €389.23 for nationals from the EU excluding Ireland. Irish workers had the highest median earnings in four of the thirteen NACE sectors, of which Public administration & defence recorded the highest of the four at €872.09.
| X-axis label | Ireland | United Kingdom | EU26/27 excl UK & Ireland | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-E Industry | 808.67 | 778.84 | 581.09 | 600.86 |
| F Construction | 659.15 | 715.7 | 649.44 | 625.25 |
| G Wholesale & retail | 455.92 | 517.31 | 510.1 | 434.73 |
| H Transporation & storage | 660.97 | 620.96 | 553.74 | 592.75 |
| I Accommodation & food services | 301.66 | 353.58 | 389.23 | 339.09 |
| J Information & communication | 1035.06 | 1232.35 | 1108.54 | 1230.98 |
| K-L Financial, insurance & real estate | 903.17 | 1075.52 | 777.44 | 825.94 |
| M Professional, scientific & technical services | 744 | 852.84 | 693.25 | 769.23 |
| N Administrative & support services | 550.18 | 580.92 | 499.07 | 462.31 |
| O Public administration & defence | 872.09 | 835.2 | 677.08 | 717.38 |
| P Education | 802.44 | 766.07 | 552.95 | 691.58 |
| Q Human health & social work | 650.64 | 629.22 | 516.04 | 822.9 |
| R-S Arts, entertainment & recreation | 389.32 | 435.17 | 379.57 | 344.37 |
| Total | 653.35 | 662.33 | 546.82 | 579.64 |
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