Tech Salary Benchmarks: Ireland & UK

We publish verified salary benchmarks for technology roles across Ireland and the UK, including software engineering, data, product, design, infrastructure, and cybersecurity disciplines. Each benchmark includes a salary range (P25–P75), median salary, and year-on-year movement signal. These figures cover permanent, employed positions. For contractor day rates, see our Contract Day Rates section.

Our benchmarks are derived from published market compensation data and reviewed on a rolling cycle. Each benchmark includes a confidence rating based on data recency and cross-market consistency. Low-confidence benchmarks are flagged rather than suppressed so you always know the quality level behind each figure.

Yes. Each country guide includes city-level salary comparisons, showing how salaries for the same role vary between cities and how each city's median compares to the national benchmark.

Salary data is reviewed and refreshed on a rolling basis. The source year is shown on every benchmark so you always know how current the figures are.

Yes. Contractor day rate benchmarks are published separately under Contract Day Rates. Each role page also links to the equivalent day rate page where data exists, so you can compare permanent and contract compensation side by side.

Software engineers in Ireland earn a median salary of approximately €75,000–€85,000 in 2026, depending on seniority. Junior software engineers (0–2 years) typically earn €45,000–€58,000, mid-level engineers (3–5 years) earn €65,000–€80,000, and senior engineers (5+ years) earn €85,000–€110,000. Principal and staff-level engineers at large tech companies in Dublin often earn above €120,000 including bonuses. Browse our Ireland salary guide for benchmarks by specific role and city.

For most tech roles, gross salaries are broadly comparable between Ireland and the UK when adjusted for currency. Senior software engineers typically earn €85,000–€110,000 in Ireland versus £75,000–£100,000 in the UK. However, the net take-home picture differs due to different tax systems: Ireland's USC and PRSI can make the effective rate higher at mid-to-senior levels compared to equivalent UK earnings. Use our Ireland vs UK take-home comparison to model your specific situation.

Dublin consistently pays 10–20% more than the national Irish average for equivalent tech roles, reflecting higher cost of living, concentration of multinational employers, and competition for talent. Cork and Galway have seen salaries rise in recent years due to tech investment outside the capital, but Dublin still commands a notable premium for senior and specialist roles. Our Ireland salary guide includes city-level breakdowns so you can compare Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick directly.