Pre-filled with the €450/day IT Systems Engineer benchmark rate in Ireland. Adjust to your actual rate for a precise take-home figure.
2025 IT Systems Engineer rates in Ireland, worked through as a sole trader over 220 billable days, with no expenses or pension.
| Rate | Billed / year | Take-home / year | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| €450/dayMedian | €99,000 | €64,054€5,338/mo | €5,338 |
At the median €450/day, an IT Systems Engineer contractor working as a sole trader takes home about €64,054 a year, 65% of the €99,000 billed over 220 billable days.
A permanent IT Systems Engineer on the €66K median takes home €48,090, so contracting at the median rate leaves €15,964 more a year before unpaid holidays, pension, and gaps between contracts. On take-home alone, contracting draws level with that salary at about €300/day.
Pre-filled with the IT Systems Engineer median €450/day benchmark. Adjust for your actual rate.
Rate type
220 days = 44 billed weeks, allowing for holiday & downtime
Common day rates:
Reduces income tax base only, not USC
Equipment, travel, training: deducted before all tax
Default €150/month. Deducted from contract revenue before tax.
Annual take-home
€58,486
59.1% retention
Monthly take-home
€4,874
after all tax & deductions
Retention rate
59.1%
Net ÷ gross contract revenue
Permanent equivalent salary
€87,341
PAYE gross for same net take-home
Where the money goes
39.1%
Effective tax rate
Tax + PRSI as % of gross revenue
59.1%
Retention rate
Net take-home as % of gross revenue
€87,341
PAYE equiv. salary
Permanent employee gross for same net
Uses 2026 Irish Revenue rates with blended PRSI (9 months pre-Oct / 3 months post-Oct 2026 uplift). PAYE umbrella: employer PRSI at 11.29% (blended) on earnings above €552/week; Class A employee PRSI at 4.24% (blended) with tapered credit for weekly earnings €352–€424. Sole trader / Director: Class S PRSI at 4.24% (blended), minimum €650 if income ≥ €5,000; USC 11% surcharge applies above €100,000 income. Pension contributions reduce income tax base only, not USC. Assumes single person standard credits unless tax status is changed. This is an estimate only. Consult a qualified Irish contractor accountant before making decisions.
Your tax treatment depends on your operating structure. PAYE umbrella: the umbrella deducts employer PRSI before calculating your gross, then applies Income Tax, USC, and PRSI (Class A). Sole trader: you pay Income Tax, USC, and Class S PRSI on net profits, which is generally more tax-efficient. Director: treated similarly to sole trader but with director-level PRSI (Class S). The calculator above shows all three side by side.
Retention rates vary by structure and day rate. Sole traders typically retain 55–65% of gross contract income at mid-market rates after Income Tax, USC, and PRSI. PAYE umbrella structures retain slightly less due to employer PRSI. Higher rates push retention lower as more income falls into the 40% tax band.
Sole trader generally gives better take-home at most day rates but requires filing a Form 11 self-assessment return annually. PAYE umbrella is simpler but results in lower net pay because employer PRSI is deducted before your gross is calculated. For most IT Systems Engineer contractors, the additional admin of sole trader pays off financially beyond roughly €300/day.
At €450/day over 220 billable days, the gross annual contract income is €99K. This is a 50% gross premium over the IT Systems Engineer permanent salary median of €66K/year. The premium compensates contractors for self-funded employer PRSI, pension, holiday pay, sick pay, and business overheads, costs a permanent employer covers on behalf of an employee.
At the median €450/day, an IT Systems Engineer contractor working as a sole trader takes home about €64,054 a year, 65% of the €99,000 billed over 220 billable days. A permanent IT Systems Engineer on the €66K median takes home €48,090, so contracting at the median rate leaves €15,964 more a year before unpaid holidays, pension, and gaps between contracts. On take-home alone, contracting draws level with that salary at about €300/day.