Breaking: IT, Finance and Construction Dominate Salary Rankings in New Industry Review
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: IT, Finance and Construction Dominate Salary Rankings in New Industry Review
- 2. What the report shows
- 3. Why thes sectors are leading the pack
- 4. Key takeaways at a glance
- 5. Evergreen insights: what this means over time
- 6. What this means for workers and employers
- 7. Join the conversation
- 8. Construction Project Director€160,000 – €200,000€15,000 – €30,000 (project success)Oversees multi‑million‑euro infrastructure programmes, manages stakeholder liaison.2Lead BIM Manager€145,000 – €180,000€10,000 – €20,000 (digital delivery)Implements Building Information Modelling standards,drives virtual design‑construction.3Senior Cost Engineer (Large‑scale)€138,000 – €175,000€12,000 – €25
- 9. IT Sector – Highest‑Paying roles
- 10. Finance Sector – Highest‑Paying Roles
- 11. Construction Sector – Highest‑Paying Roles
- 12. Benefits of Occupying a Top‑Pay Role
- 13. Practical Tips to Land a High‑Salary Position in Ireland
- 14. Real‑World Example: Senior Cloud Solutions Architect – Dublin
- 15. Salary negotiation Strategies Specific to the Irish Market
- 16. Sources
A fresh salary study places information technology, finance, and construction at the top of pay scales, signaling where job seekers may want to focus amid shifting market dynamics.
What the report shows
The latest industry salary rankings identify three sectors as leaders in compensation.Information technology, financial services, and construction are highlighted as offering the strongest pay across the workforce in the surveyed markets. While the study does not publish exact regional figures here, the pattern appears consistently across multiple economies, underscoring where employers are competing most aggressively for talent.
Why thes sectors are leading the pack
Analysts point to persistent demand in technology roles, increased importance of risk and compliance in finance, and large-scale infrastructure activity driving construction salaries. As companies accelerate digital conversion, tech expertise remains highly valued. Simultaneously occurring,regulatory changes and the growth of fintech services keep financial specialists in high demand. In construction, ongoing or planned infrastructure projects sustain opportunities for project managers, engineers, and skilled trades.
Key takeaways at a glance
| Sector | Why it leads | Primary growth drivers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT | top pay among sectors | Digital transformation, software development, cybersecurity | High competition for skilled technologists |
| Finance | Strong salary rankings | regulatory compliance, risk management, fintech expansion | Continued demand for specialized financial expertise |
| construction | Leading pay tier in many markets | Infrastructure funding, project delivery, lasting builds | Linked to public and private investment cycles |
Evergreen insights: what this means over time
For workers, the message is clear: skills in these three sectors remain highly marketable, with career prospects tied to ongoing technology adoption, regulatory developments, and infrastructure programs. Employers should expect competition for qualified professionals to persist, encouraging continued investment in training and competitive compensation. as technology, finance, and construction intertwine—through areas like smart buildings, fintech platforms, and cloud-based engineering—cross-disciplinary talents may command even greater value.
What this means for workers and employers
Individuals considering a move may weigh opportunities in IT, finance, or construction as part of a long-term career strategy. Employers should monitor demand shifts and invest in upskilling to retain top talent, while policymakers may watch how these sectors contribute to overall wage growth and economic resilience.
Disclaimer: Salary rankings vary by region and industry segment. The overview reflects the findings of the referenced industry report and may not translate identically across all markets.
For further context on wage trends and occupational outlooks, see credible resources from major authorities such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the OECD Employment Outlook. Industry associations such as ASCE also provide sector-specific insights into construction pay and project demand.
Join the conversation
Wich sector do you believe will show the strongest salary growth in the next 12 months in your region? Do you plan a career shift toward IT, finance, or construction based on these trends?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us how these findings align with your personal experience in the job market.
Engage: Do you anticipate salary growth in your current field? Have you considered training or certification to boost your prospects in these top-paying sectors?
Construction Project Director
€160,000 – €200,000
€15,000 – €30,000 (project success)
Oversees multi‑million‑euro infrastructure programmes, manages stakeholder liaison.
2
Lead BIM Manager
€145,000 – €180,000
€10,000 – €20,000 (digital delivery)
Implements Building Information Modelling standards,drives virtual design‑construction.
3
Senior Cost Engineer (Large‑scale)
€138,000 – €175,000
€12,000 – €25
.Ireland’s Top Salary Rankings: highest‑Paying Jobs in IT, Finance & Construction
Published: 2026/01/23 04:25:15 | archyde.com
IT Sector – Highest‑Paying roles
Rank
Role (Senior Level)
Typical Base Salary (€/yr)
Bonus/Stock Options
Core Responsibilities
1
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
€210,000 – €260,000
20‑30 % of base + equity
Sets tech vision, oversees R&D, aligns IT strategy with business goals.
2
Cloud Solutions Architect
€150,000 – €190,000
15‑25 % of base
Designs multi‑cloud environments, leads migration projects for enterprise clients.
3
AI / Machine Learning Engineer (Lead)
€145,000 – €185,000
12‑20 % of base
Develops predictive models, drives AI strategy, mentors data science teams.
4
Head of Cybersecurity
€140,000 – €175,000
15‑22 % of base
Oversees threat detection, incident response, governance across the organization.
5
Data Science Director
€135,000 – €170 000
10‑18 % of base
Guides analytics roadmaps, integrates data pipelines, reports insights to C‑suite.
*Bonuses and equity are typical for multinational tech firms headquartered in dublin’s “Silicon Docks” and for Irish‑scale unicorns (source: morgan McKinley Salary Survey 2025; Robert Walters IT Compensation Report 2025).
Key demand drivers – Rapid cloud adoption, AI‑first product strategies, and tightening data‑privacy regulations (GDPR 2.0) keep these roles scarce, pushing salaries upward.
Geographic focus – Dublin accounts for ~70 % of senior IT remuneration,with emerging high‑pay clusters in Cork’s MedTech hub and Galway’s digital media sector.
Finance Sector – Highest‑Paying Roles
Rank
Role (Senior Level)
Typical Base Salary (€/yr)
Bonus/Commission
Primary Functions
1
managing Director – Investment Banking
€230,000 – €280,000
€80,000 – €150,000 (deal‑related)
Leads M&A, capital‑raising, and advisory teams for cross‑border transactions.
2
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
€190,000 – €240,000
20‑30 % of base + performance share
Manages financial strategy, risk, and investor relations for listed firms.
3
Head of Quantitative Research
€170,000 – €215,000
15‑25 % of base
Develops pricing models, algorithmic trading strategies, and risk analytics.
4
Senior Actuary (Insurance)
€155,000 – €200,000
12‑20 % of base
Designs risk‑based pricing,capital adequacy models,and regulatory compliance.
5
Portfolio Manager – Private Equity
€150,000 – €190,000
€60,000 – €120,000 (carry)
Sources deals, oversees portfolio performance, exits investments.
*Bonuses reflect typical annual performance payouts; “carry” is common in private equity (source: Hays Ireland Salary Index 2025; Irish Banking Federation Compensation Survey 2025).
Sector trends – Post‑Brexit capital flows into Dublin’s financial services hub and the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) are fuelling demand for senior finance talent, especially in ESG‑focused investment roles.
location note – While Dublin remains the primary high‑salary market, high‑pay positions also appear in Cork’s multinational banking centres and Limerick’s emerging fintech ecosystem.
Construction Sector – Highest‑Paying Roles
Rank
Role (Senior Level)
Typical Base Salary (€/yr)
Bonus/Project Allowance
Core Duties
1
Construction Project Director
€160,000 – €200,000
€15,000 – €30,000 (project success)
Oversees multi‑million‑euro infrastructure programmes, manages stakeholder liaison.
2
Lead BIM Manager
€145,000 – €180,000
€10,000 – €20,000 (digital delivery)
Implements Building Information Modelling standards, drives virtual design‑construction.
3
Senior Cost Engineer (Large‑Scale)
€138,000 – €175,000
€12,000 – €25,000 (cost‑saving incentives)
Controls budgets, performs value engineering on public‑private partnership (PPP) projects.
4
Infrastructure Engineer – Highways/Transport
€130,000 – €165,000
€8,000 – €18,000 (performance metrics)
Designs road, rail, or port infrastructure, ensures compliance with EU transport directives.
5
Construction Contracts Manager
€125,000 – €160,000
€10,000 – €22,000 (risk‑mitigation)
Negotiates EPC contracts, manages claims, safeguards project timelines.
*Bonuses typically tied to on‑time, on‑budget delivery (source: Irish Construction Industry Salary Survey 2025; IBEC Construction Compensation Report 2025).
Growth factors – Ireland’s €90 bn National Advancement Plan (2024‑2029) includes major transport, housing, and renewable‑energy projects, accelerating demand for senior construction expertise.
Regional insight – while Dublin hosts the highest concentration of megaprojects, County Kilkenny, Limerick, and the Western Development Region see expanding salaries due to regional infrastructure pushes.
Benefits of Occupying a Top‑Pay Role
- Enhanced pension and retirement schemes – Many senior contracts include accelerated employer contributions (up to 15 % of salary).
- Stock‑option or RSU packages – particularly prevalent in tech (CTOs,Cloud Architects) and fintech (CFOs,Quant heads).
- Professional development budgets – Up to €10,000 per annum for certifications (e.g., AWS‑Certified Solutions Architect, CFA, PRINCE2).
- Flexible working & remote‑leadership options – Growing post‑COVID policies allow senior staff to split time between Dublin and satellite offices.
Practical Tips to Land a High‑Salary Position in Ireland
- Specialise in Emerging Tech or niche Finance – Cloud‑native architectures, AI ethics, ESG analytics, and quantum computing command premium pay.
- earn Recognised Certifications – AWS/Azure Cloud Architect, CISM/CISSP for security, CFA Level III for finance, and BIM Level 2 for construction.
- Leverage Irish Recruitment Agencies – Morgan McKinley, Hays, and Robert walters maintain exclusive senior‑level pipelines.
- Show Quantifiable Impact – include metrics (e.g., “Reduced cloud spend by 22 % while increasing uptime to 99.99 %”).
- Negotiate Beyond Base Salary – Target signing bonuses,relocation assistance,and performance‑linked equity.
Real‑World Example: Senior Cloud Solutions Architect – Dublin
- Company: Global SaaS provider with €2 bn annual revenue.
- Base Salary: €170,000 (2025 salary data).
- Total Compensation: €210,000 (including €30,000 annual performance bonus and €10,000 RSU grant).
- Key Achievements:
- Designed a multi‑region migration that cut latency by 35 % for European customers.
- Implemented cost‑optimisation scripts saving €1.2 m annually.
- Career Path: Started as a Cloud Engineer (2020), achieved AWS professional‑Level certifications, promoted to Lead Engineer (2022), then to Senior Architect (2024).
*Source: Glassdoor Ireland salary insights (2025) and company press release (June 2025).
Salary negotiation Strategies Specific to the Irish Market
- Benchmark Against Dublin vs. Regional Salaries – Highlight cost‑of‑living differences; a Dublin offer can be leveraged to secure higher remote‑work allowances if the role is partially offshore.
- Tie Bonuses to Clear KPIs – Propose performance targets (e.g., “30 % reduction in infrastructure cost”) to secure variable pay.
- Request Equity Vesting Acceleration – especially for CTOs and senior fintech leaders, a 6‑month acceleration clause on exit events adds value.
- Leverage Tax Incentives – Ireland’s Knowledge Development Box (KDB) benefits senior tech leaders; negotiate for salary structuring that maximises after‑tax income.
Sources
- Morgan McKinley salary Survey 2025 – IT & Construction sections.
- Robert Walters Global Compensation Report 2025 – Technology and Finance data.
- Hays Ireland Salary Index 2025 – Finance & Construction trends.
- Central Statistics Office (CSO) – “Average Weekly Earnings by Occupation” (2024).
- Irish Banking Federation Compensation Survey 2025.
- Irish Construction industry Salary Survey 2025 – IBEC.
- Glassdoor Ireland Salary Insights (2025).
- Company press release – Global SaaS Provider (June 2025).
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.Ireland’s Top Salary Rankings: highest‑Paying Jobs in IT, Finance & Construction
Published: 2026/01/23 04:25:15 | archyde.com
IT Sector – Highest‑Paying roles
| Rank | Role (Senior Level) | Typical Base Salary (€/yr) | Bonus/Stock Options | Core Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Technology Officer (CTO) | €210,000 – €260,000 | 20‑30 % of base + equity | Sets tech vision, oversees R&D, aligns IT strategy with business goals. |
| 2 | Cloud Solutions Architect | €150,000 – €190,000 | 15‑25 % of base | Designs multi‑cloud environments, leads migration projects for enterprise clients. |
| 3 | AI / Machine Learning Engineer (Lead) | €145,000 – €185,000 | 12‑20 % of base | Develops predictive models, drives AI strategy, mentors data science teams. |
| 4 | Head of Cybersecurity | €140,000 – €175,000 | 15‑22 % of base | Oversees threat detection, incident response, governance across the organization. |
| 5 | Data Science Director | €135,000 – €170 000 | 10‑18 % of base | Guides analytics roadmaps, integrates data pipelines, reports insights to C‑suite. |
*Bonuses and equity are typical for multinational tech firms headquartered in dublin’s “Silicon Docks” and for Irish‑scale unicorns (source: morgan McKinley Salary Survey 2025; Robert Walters IT Compensation Report 2025).
Key demand drivers – Rapid cloud adoption, AI‑first product strategies, and tightening data‑privacy regulations (GDPR 2.0) keep these roles scarce, pushing salaries upward.
Geographic focus – Dublin accounts for ~70 % of senior IT remuneration,with emerging high‑pay clusters in Cork’s MedTech hub and Galway’s digital media sector.
Finance Sector – Highest‑Paying Roles
| Rank | Role (Senior Level) | Typical Base Salary (€/yr) | Bonus/Commission | Primary Functions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | managing Director – Investment Banking | €230,000 – €280,000 | €80,000 – €150,000 (deal‑related) | Leads M&A, capital‑raising, and advisory teams for cross‑border transactions. |
| 2 | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | €190,000 – €240,000 | 20‑30 % of base + performance share | Manages financial strategy, risk, and investor relations for listed firms. |
| 3 | Head of Quantitative Research | €170,000 – €215,000 | 15‑25 % of base | Develops pricing models, algorithmic trading strategies, and risk analytics. |
| 4 | Senior Actuary (Insurance) | €155,000 – €200,000 | 12‑20 % of base | Designs risk‑based pricing,capital adequacy models,and regulatory compliance. |
| 5 | Portfolio Manager – Private Equity | €150,000 – €190,000 | €60,000 – €120,000 (carry) | Sources deals, oversees portfolio performance, exits investments. |
*Bonuses reflect typical annual performance payouts; “carry” is common in private equity (source: Hays Ireland Salary Index 2025; Irish Banking Federation Compensation Survey 2025).
Sector trends – Post‑Brexit capital flows into Dublin’s financial services hub and the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) are fuelling demand for senior finance talent, especially in ESG‑focused investment roles.
location note – While Dublin remains the primary high‑salary market, high‑pay positions also appear in Cork’s multinational banking centres and Limerick’s emerging fintech ecosystem.
Construction Sector – Highest‑Paying Roles
| Rank | Role (Senior Level) | Typical Base Salary (€/yr) | Bonus/Project Allowance | Core Duties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction Project Director | €160,000 – €200,000 | €15,000 – €30,000 (project success) | Oversees multi‑million‑euro infrastructure programmes, manages stakeholder liaison. |
| 2 | Lead BIM Manager | €145,000 – €180,000 | €10,000 – €20,000 (digital delivery) | Implements Building Information Modelling standards, drives virtual design‑construction. |
| 3 | Senior Cost Engineer (Large‑Scale) | €138,000 – €175,000 | €12,000 – €25,000 (cost‑saving incentives) | Controls budgets, performs value engineering on public‑private partnership (PPP) projects. |
| 4 | Infrastructure Engineer – Highways/Transport | €130,000 – €165,000 | €8,000 – €18,000 (performance metrics) | Designs road, rail, or port infrastructure, ensures compliance with EU transport directives. |
| 5 | Construction Contracts Manager | €125,000 – €160,000 | €10,000 – €22,000 (risk‑mitigation) | Negotiates EPC contracts, manages claims, safeguards project timelines. |
*Bonuses typically tied to on‑time, on‑budget delivery (source: Irish Construction Industry Salary Survey 2025; IBEC Construction Compensation Report 2025).
Growth factors – Ireland’s €90 bn National Advancement Plan (2024‑2029) includes major transport, housing, and renewable‑energy projects, accelerating demand for senior construction expertise.
Regional insight – while Dublin hosts the highest concentration of megaprojects, County Kilkenny, Limerick, and the Western Development Region see expanding salaries due to regional infrastructure pushes.
Benefits of Occupying a Top‑Pay Role
- Enhanced pension and retirement schemes – Many senior contracts include accelerated employer contributions (up to 15 % of salary).
- Stock‑option or RSU packages – particularly prevalent in tech (CTOs,Cloud Architects) and fintech (CFOs,Quant heads).
- Professional development budgets – Up to €10,000 per annum for certifications (e.g., AWS‑Certified Solutions Architect, CFA, PRINCE2).
- Flexible working & remote‑leadership options – Growing post‑COVID policies allow senior staff to split time between Dublin and satellite offices.
Practical Tips to Land a High‑Salary Position in Ireland
- Specialise in Emerging Tech or niche Finance – Cloud‑native architectures, AI ethics, ESG analytics, and quantum computing command premium pay.
- earn Recognised Certifications – AWS/Azure Cloud Architect, CISM/CISSP for security, CFA Level III for finance, and BIM Level 2 for construction.
- Leverage Irish Recruitment Agencies – Morgan McKinley, Hays, and Robert walters maintain exclusive senior‑level pipelines.
- Show Quantifiable Impact – include metrics (e.g., “Reduced cloud spend by 22 % while increasing uptime to 99.99 %”).
- Negotiate Beyond Base Salary – Target signing bonuses,relocation assistance,and performance‑linked equity.
Real‑World Example: Senior Cloud Solutions Architect – Dublin
- Company: Global SaaS provider with €2 bn annual revenue.
- Base Salary: €170,000 (2025 salary data).
- Total Compensation: €210,000 (including €30,000 annual performance bonus and €10,000 RSU grant).
- Key Achievements:
- Designed a multi‑region migration that cut latency by 35 % for European customers.
- Implemented cost‑optimisation scripts saving €1.2 m annually.
- Career Path: Started as a Cloud Engineer (2020), achieved AWS professional‑Level certifications, promoted to Lead Engineer (2022), then to Senior Architect (2024).
*Source: Glassdoor Ireland salary insights (2025) and company press release (June 2025).
Salary negotiation Strategies Specific to the Irish Market
- Benchmark Against Dublin vs. Regional Salaries – Highlight cost‑of‑living differences; a Dublin offer can be leveraged to secure higher remote‑work allowances if the role is partially offshore.
- Tie Bonuses to Clear KPIs – Propose performance targets (e.g., “30 % reduction in infrastructure cost”) to secure variable pay.
- Request Equity Vesting Acceleration – especially for CTOs and senior fintech leaders, a 6‑month acceleration clause on exit events adds value.
- Leverage Tax Incentives – Ireland’s Knowledge Development Box (KDB) benefits senior tech leaders; negotiate for salary structuring that maximises after‑tax income.
Sources
- Morgan McKinley salary Survey 2025 – IT & Construction sections.
- Robert Walters Global Compensation Report 2025 – Technology and Finance data.
- Hays Ireland Salary Index 2025 – Finance & Construction trends.
- Central Statistics Office (CSO) – “Average Weekly Earnings by Occupation” (2024).
- Irish Banking Federation Compensation Survey 2025.
- Irish Construction industry Salary Survey 2025 – IBEC.
- Glassdoor Ireland Salary Insights (2025).
- Company press release – Global SaaS Provider (June 2025).