#4 · Engineering & trades

Skilled trades occupations Salary

CSO SES 2022 full-time median €36,673 (€17.72/hr × 39.8 paid weekly hours × 52). Occupation group skilled-trades. Modeled 2026 take-home, training context, and career comparisons below.

By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026

CSO full-time median · skilled-trades

€36,673

€17.72/hr × 39.8 hrs × 52

Single take-home

€31,165

15.0% effective

Married take-home at median

€31,165

15.0% effective

Key takeaways — Skilled trades

Skilled trades occupations ranks #4 of 9 on this hub with a €36,673 CSO SES 2022 full-time median (€17.72/hr × 39.8 hours).
Modeled single take-home at that median: €31,165 (15.0% effective employee deduction rate). Married one income: €31,165.
One rank above: Associate professional & technical at €49,073 (+€12,400).
Self-employment income and employer pension contributions sit outside these SES full-time employee medians.

About Skilled trades occupations wages

CSO Structure of Earnings Survey 2022 publishes median earnings per hour and paid weekly hours by occupation for full-time employees. For Skilled trades occupations, the national median annual pay is €36,673 (€17.72/hr × 39.8 hours × 52) — meaning half of full-time employees in this major group earn more and half earn less across Ireland.

We use CSO–published hourly and hours figures, then apply our 2026 Ireland paycheck model so you see modeled take-home, not just gross. That bridges labour-market statistics with the same tax rules as our Ireland calculator — nationwide Revenue PAYE, USC, and PRSI.

Use the compare tool to pit Skilled trades against another career group, or open the paycheck calculator to model an offer above or below the published median.

Engineering & trades · rank context

Skilled trades sits at rank #4 between Associate professional & technical (#3, €49,073) and Process & plant operatives (#5, €35,990).

Training & licensing context

Associate professional & technical and skilled trades medians often require apprenticeships, diplomas, or certificates. Sector cycles can swing construction and manufacturing pay.

Take-home at CSO median by scenario

Ireland earners, nationwide Revenue PAYE + USC + PRSI — gross equals the published CSO median. Single matches our metro paycheck examples vignette (full personal + employee credits). Married uses the one-income standard-rate band.

Scenario	Take-home	Effective rate	Calculator
Single (PAYE)	€31,165	15.0%	Open
Married one income	€31,165	15.0%	Open

Model €36,673 in calculator CSO source

Myths vs facts

Myth: Every Skilled trades job pays the CSO median.

Fact: The median is a national midpoint for full-time employees. Entry roles and lower-COL markets sit below; senior specialists in high-demand cities sit above.

Myth: Take-home at median is what you will net.

Fact: Our columns use an Ireland vignette at the CSO gross median. Marital status, credits, and pension settings change your actual paycheck.

Salary planning checklist

Confirm the posting matches the CSO occupation group for Skilled trades occupations
Compare single vs married one income take-home if your filing status differs
Remember SES medians are full-time employees from 2022
Use metro paycheck examples (Ireland) when the employer names a city
Model your exact gross in the Ireland paycheck calculator