Ireland Engineers' Salary Gap and Defense Concerns

Engineers in Ireland can earn lucrative salaries, with graduate engineers earning up to €44,000 and those with over 30 years' experience earning between €100,000-€120,000, according to the 2025 Salary Report from Engineers Ireland, which also highlights a gender pay gap that widens with experience.

The report found that newly qualified male engineers earn an average of €39,000, while their female counterparts earn €38,000, a difference of €1,000, which increases to €5,000 among engineers with 3-5 years' experience. However, the profession remains a lucrative career choice, with salaries increasing steadily as engineers advance in their career. The energy sector offers the highest salaries for mid-level engineers, with over 10 years' experience earning €78,000.

Meanwhile, Ireland's defense spending is under scrutiny, with the government admitting that it "will have to rise amid escalating security threats". A case is set to be heard in the High Court to determine if the government entered a secret pact with the UK to defend Irish airspace in the event of a terrorist attack. The case, brought by independent senator Gerard Craughwell, seeks to establish whether a rumored agreement allows the UK to enter Irish airspace to intercept threats.

As the engineering profession continues to offer strong financial benefits, with 45% of engineers receiving an annual bonus and the vast majority receiving pension contributions from their employer, the government's defense spending and potential agreements with other countries will be closely watched, particularly in light of the country's low defense spending compared to other European nations.