If you're trying to figure out what to expect to earn after graduation, one number won't tell you much. The average graduate salary in Ireland in 2026 varies by roughly €20,000 to €30,000 depending on what you studied. This article breaks it down by field so you can get a realistic picture for your specific situation.
The overall picture
Across all degree subjects, the average starting salary for Irish graduates is approximately €34,000 to €37,000 per year. But this figure is skewed upward by high earners in computing and engineering. The median figure (where half earn more and half earn less) is closer to €30,000 to €33,000.
A more useful way to look at it is by field, because the range is wide and the differences are real and persistent.
Starting salaries by field in Ireland
Here is a breakdown of representative starting salary ranges by field for Irish graduates:
- Computer Science and Software Engineering: €44,000 to €55,000 (higher at large tech companies)
- Data Science and Analytics: €40,000 to €50,000
- Electronic and Chemical Engineering: €42,000 to €52,000
- Civil and Mechanical Engineering: €36,000 to €46,000
- Pharmacy: €38,000 to €44,000
- Nursing: €33,000 to €36,000 (public sector scale, with premium payments on top)
- Business and Commerce: €30,000 to €38,000 (highly dependent on employer and specialism)
- Accounting (trainee): €28,000 to €33,000 (rises sharply on qualification)
- Law (graduate): €30,000 to €38,000 (before professional qualification)
- Arts and Humanities: €26,000 to €34,000
- Social Sciences: €28,000 to €35,000
- Medicine (intern/basic): €36,000 to €45,000 (rises substantially once specialist-qualified)
How salaries grow in the first 5 years
Starting salary is only part of the picture. What matters financially is the trajectory. HEA data shows that computing and engineering graduates tend to see the steepest salary growth in their first five years, with many increasing their pay by 40 to 70 percent over that period. This happens partly through job moves, partly through promotion, and partly because the skills shortage keeps employers paying market rates to retain good people.
Business and social science graduates also see growth but at a more moderate pace. Public sector roles (nursing, teaching, social work) have structured pay scales with annual increments that offer predictability but less rapid growth than the private sector.
Does the university affect your salary?
For most jobs and most graduates, the university matters less than the subject and your own performance. Large Irish employers, including the tech multinationals, pharma companies and financial services firms, recruit from a wide range of institutions. A strong result from a technological university in the relevant discipline is competitive for the same roles as a pass from a research university.
There are exceptions. A small number of graduate programmes at selective employers do tend to attract more candidates from certain universities. For the vast majority of graduate roles in Ireland, however, what you studied and how well you did matters more than where you did it.
Using these figures to plan your CAO
The most useful thing you can do with salary data is to pair it with the full cost of your degree (fees plus living costs) and calculate the actual payback period and 5-year ROI for the specific courses you're considering. That's exactly what the calculator on this site does, and it's a much more useful number than a national average.
Look up starting salary, 5-year salary and payback period for any of the 70+ Irish college courses in our calculator.
Open the ROI CalculatorFrequently asked questions
What is the average starting salary for graduates in Ireland?
The average starting salary for Irish graduates across all degree subjects is approximately €34,000 to €37,000 per year. This average is pulled up significantly by high-paying STEM fields. The median is somewhat lower, around €30,000 to €33,000. The figure varies substantially by subject and employer type.
Which degrees have the highest starting salaries in Ireland?
Consistently among the highest starting salaries are Computer Science and Software Engineering, Electronic and Chemical Engineering, Data Science, and Pharmacy. Medicine and Dentistry also produce high eventual salaries but require many years of training before full qualification and a higher income.
Does the university you attend affect your graduate salary in Ireland?
For most fields and most employers, the university matters less than the degree subject and your own academic performance. Large multinational employers in Ireland recruit from a wide range of institutions. For a small number of highly competitive graduate programmes, candidates from higher-ranked universities may have an edge, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
How quickly do graduate salaries grow in Ireland?
Salary growth in the first 5 years after graduation varies by field. Computing and engineering graduates often see salary grow by 40 to 70 percent in the first 5 years. Business and social science graduates also see growth but at a more moderate pace. Public sector roles have structured scales with predictable but slower growth.