What Is A Good Salary To Live In Dublin, Ireland?

There are many good reasons to move to Dublin, whether you are single, a couple, or parents. A charming city steeped in culture and tradition, it also offers competitive salaries and a high standard of living, as we will get into in this article.  

In Dublin, single adults would need an annual salary of 50,000 EUR to 60,000 EUR to cover basic expenses and live comfortably. For families with children, a yearly salary of 60,000 EUR to 80,000 EUR would be more feasible. This is considerably higher than the estimated average salary of 42,000 EUR. 

Keep in mind that the cost of living in most of Ireland is 13.97% higher than in the UK. But in general, it costs 14% less to live in Dublin than in London. Read on to find out more about how much you can earn working in Dublin and how far your salary will take you.

What salary is good for Ireland? Read in the dedicated article.

What is considered a good salary in Dublin, Ireland?

According to the statistics, in 2020, employees in Ireland earned an average of 49,332 EUR per year, which comes to about 1,027 EUR per week or 4,111 EUR per month.

But living in Dublin is quite a bit more expensive compared to other Irish cities. A “good” salary for a single adult ranges from 50,000 EUR to 60,000 EUR a year. This would be sufficient to cover accommodations, transport, living expenses, and the occasional perks.

Families with children will need more than that, of course. Ideally, they should earn about 6,000 EUR per month or 72,000 EUR per year. In most cases, that will be enough to cover the abovementioned expenses, along with education and medical bills and even the occasional family vacation and nights out. 

It is much more financially viable for a family to live in Dublin if both adults work. Even if each only earns the average annual salary of 42,000 EUR per year, that would bring the combined income to 84,000 EUR per year. This would be enough for a family of four to live comfortably and still cover the essentials. 

What Is Considered a Good Salary in Ireland? [2023 Guide]

Average salary in Dublin in 2022

According to Payscale, the average salary in Dublin is about 42,000 EUR per year before taxes.

Moreover, average salaries in Dublin vary considerably according to industry, position, and level of experience. 

The highest paid professionals in the city are C-Level executives, who can earn up to 83,760 EUR per year. But this is considered below average in the industry. In terms of salaries for this particular job, Dublin ranks 138^th among 265 cities reviewed by Teleport.com.

On the other hand, Product Managers earn above average salaries in Dublin compared to other cities, with the potential to make up to 56,156 EUR per year. Likewise, Finance Managers could earn higher than average salaries in the city, with many making 50,693 EUR annually. 

It’s a bit of a mixed bag among office workers, with Office Managers earning a below average salary of 25,692 EUR per year. Receptionists can earn an above average salary of 19,232 EUR per year. 

In the food industry, Chefs can earn an above industry average annual salary of 24,155 EUR. Cashiers likewise earn an above industry average salary of 15,229 EUR per year, while Waiters can expect a below average salary of 14,607 EUR annually. 

Here is an overview of different jobs and salary ranges in Dublin:

Job	Range	Average
Software Engineer	€34k – €73k	€48,942
Senior Software Engineer	€52k – €96k	€70,416
Software Developer	€31k – €66k	€43,243
Project Manager	€36k – €77k	€55,470
Operations Manager	€34k – €87k	€49,940
Data Analyst	€29k – €59k	€36,565
Account Manager	€28k – €61k	€39,183

Average annual salaries across different jobs in Dublin: 

Job	Average annual salary (EUR)
C-Level Executive	83,760
Product Manager	56,156
Finance Manager	50,693
Hardware Engineer	48,857
IT Manager	47,486
Project Manager	46,700
Mobile Developer	46,485
Physician	46,039
Lecturer	44,644
UX Designer	43,474
Sales Manager	42,463
Dentist	42,414
Data Scientist	42,194
Marketing Manager	42,140
Account Manager	40,880
Research Scientist	40,213
Business development	40,022
Pharmacist	38,031
Software Engineer	37,900
Accountant	37,484
Business Analyst	36,853
Chemical Engineer	36,368
Human Resources Manager	36,272
Operations Manager	35,987
QA Engineer	35,011
Financial Analyst	34,855
Systems Administrator	34,061
Mechanical Engineer	33,832
Electrical Engineer	33,291
Data Analyst	33,032
Copywriter	31,971
Web Developer	31,969
Civil Engineer	31,734
Architect	30,967
Executive Assistant	30,945
Nurse	30,529
Web Designer	29,671
Postdoctoral Researcher	28,533
Content Marketing	28,309
Attorney	27,860
Graphic Designer	27,353
Customer Support	26,681
Office Manager	25,692
Teacher	25,311
Chef	24,155
Interior Designer	24,059
Administrative Assistant	23,210
Receptionist	19,232
Fashion Designer	16,530
Industrial Designer	15,452
Cashier	15,229
Waiter	14,607

Of course, some jobs are more in-demand than others. Here’s a look at some of the most sought-after professionals in specific industries and how much they could earn in Dublin: 

Industry	Position	Average annual salary (EUR)
Accounting and Finance	Financial Accountant/Finance Analyst	50,000 – 65,000
Construction and Property	Quantity Surveyor	65,000 – 90,000
Legal	Data Protection/Privacy Lawyers	70,000 – 100,000
Life Sciences	Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Specialist	40,000 – 65,000 (Specialist) 160,000+ (Director)
Human Resources	Recruitment Consultant/Talent Acquisition Specialists	40,000 – 90,000
Languages	Business Development Representative German, Dutch, French Speakers	37,000+
Marketing	Digital Marketing Manager	60,000 – 85,000
Office Support	Customer Services	23,000 – 26,000
	Clerical Officers/Junior Administrators	25,000
Technology	Cloud Architect	120,000 – 140,000
Supply Chain	Supply Chain Manager	75,000 – 100,000

Is €40,000 a good salary for Dublin?

A salary of 40,000 EUR is under the annual average in the country. Unfortunately, Dublin is a lot more expensive to live in than other cities in Ireland, so 40k EUR a year wouldn’t be considered a good salary by any means. 

That said, you will be able to make it work if you are single and live a modest lifestyle. That means having most of your meals at home and keeping your recreational activities to a minimum. 

You will also almost certainly have to live in a modest apartment away from the city center to make a salary of 40k EUR per year work. Buying a car is probably out of the question, and you’d better hope that you don’t have any medical emergencies that require costly treatment or prolonged hospitalization. 

Of course, two people earning 40k EUR each can live quite comfortably in Dublin if they pool their resources. If you are a couple or even two adults sharing a family, the combined incomes and shared expenses will make those modest salaries much more financially viable, even with kids. 

Is €100,000 a good salary to live comfortably in Dublin?

Most Dublin residents would consider 100,000 EUR an excellent salary, even for a couple with two children. Despite the city’s relatively high cost of living, this amount would be enough to cover basic living expenses such as food, accommodations, utilities, clothing, healthcare, and education. 

Depending on the family’s lifestyle and how well they are able to manage their budget, 100,000 EUR might even be enough to cover occasional nights out and vacations. You could even afford to put a down payment on a house and a car, and pay the monthly amortization costs. 

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Dublin?

To live comfortably in Dublin, a single adult would have to earn 50,000 EUR to 60,000 EUR every year. Families with children would have to make 60,000 EUR to 80,000 EUR or more, depending on how many children they have. 

As in all cities, accommodations tend to be more expensive the closer you are to the city center. The cost of living will be lower in the outskirts of Dublin, but you will have to factor in commuting costs and slightly higher utility rates. 

Housing

Keep in mind that house prices in Dublin can be quite high, whether you are purchasing or renting. A one-bedroom apartment will likely set you back around 1,700 EUR a month, while a similarly-sized unit outside the city may cost you only 1,400 EUR monthly. 

That being said, the higher utilities costs and transportation expenses will add considerably to your monthly expenditures. If you work in the city and have to commute regularly, you will likely spend the price difference between the 1,700 EUR city apartment and the 1,400 EUR suburban apartment on these expenses.  

Read the full article on Irish rent prices.

Many Dubliners will agree that a salary of at least 3,000 EUR per month is necessary for a single adult to live comfortably in the city. Let’s say you spend about 30% of that on rent‒which is ideal in most cases‒you should set your sights on an apartment that costs 1,000 EUR monthly at most.

Unfortunately, finding a decent apartment for 1,000 EUR in Dublin can be challenging. A one-bedroom unit will likely cost 1,700 EUR or more, and that’s on the city’s outskirts. If you want to live closer to the city center, expect to pay 2,000 EUR or more per month for a one-bedroom apartment. 

A salary of 50,000 EUR to 60,000 EUR per year will give you sufficient wiggle room for living expenses. This nets you about 4,000 EUR to 5,000 EUR per month, which should leave you enough to live on after setting aside 30% for rent. 

With an annual salary of 30,000 EUR to 40,000 EUR, you will probably be able to afford only a modest single-bedroom apartment or share a house with roommates. Another alternative is to live in the suburbs, where your salary will stretch much further, even after taking transport costs into consideration. 

Here’s a breakdown of the average monthly living expenses in Dublin: 

Expense	Amount (EUR)
Rent	1,700 (one-bedroom apartment)
Electricity and gas	155
Internet and cable	80
Transport	165
Mobile	20
Groceries	500
Insurance	65
Entertainment	200
Total	2,885

How Much Is Rent in Ireland: Average Numbers

Health insurance in Ireland

For expats in Ireland, we recommend private health insurance from international provider Cigna Global. Their coverage is comprehensive and inexpensive compared to many public insurances.

What Is Considered a Good Salary in Ireland? [2023 Guide]