Monday 2 March 2026
Graduate engineers can expect to earn almost €40,000 in their first year following graduation. The results come from Engineers Ireland’s Salary Report 2026, published to its members today, which provides indications of the average salaries of engineers in Ireland by experience, level, and sector.
The report, based on survey responses from more than 1,500 engineers, demonstrates that pay grows quickly in the early years of an engineer’s career. After just three to five years in the profession, median salaries rise to €49,000, with 41% of engineers in this cohort reporting pay increases of more than 10% in the past year. This strong salary potential reflects the highly competitive market for engineering talent across a wide range of sectors.
A wide range of engineering disciplines are listed on the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment’s Critical Skills Occupations List, including civil, structural, site, electrical, and project engineers, reflecting significant shortages across these and other engineering disciplines.
The report also demonstrates that salaries continue to rise significantly according to levels of experience, with engineers 11 to 15 years after graduation earning an average of €73,000, while those with more than 30 years’ experience typically exceed €100,000.
It also highlights the long-term financial benefits of securing an Engineers Ireland professional title. While graduate salaries start at €39,000, engineers who go on to achieve Chartered Engineer status begin seeing salary uplifts from as early as six to 10 years’ experience, typically earning €6,000 to €10,000 more than engineers who do not hold an Engineers Ireland professional title. These benefits increase with further titles, as the report shows that those holding the title of Fellow earn around €20,000 to €30,000 more than untitled peers, later in their careers.
Reflecting on the report, Engineers Ireland’s Director General, Damien Owens, said:
“With significant demands in areas like housing and infrastructure, continuing strong inward investment in key engineering sectors, and technology driven innovations in areas like artificial intelligence and robotics, engineers are, and will continue to be, in high demand. Engineering is a varied and promising career and, as our Salary Report shows, carries strong salary potential for those who build experience in the profession. It is our hope that an even greater number of students and young people will consider engineering roles and help to build a better future, in whatever sector they choose.”
Engineers Ireland notes that the findings of the report should help both employers and engineers understand evolving expectations around career compensation, and long-term career planning in the sector.