Average weekly earnings rose 2.4% year-on-year in the second quarter and, similarly, average hourly earnings increased 2.7%, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The number of paid hours worked remained stable at 32.6, but the job vacancy rate was up to 1.6% in June from 1.2% at the end of Q2 2021. Meanwhile, average hourly other labour costs have increased 43% from €2.91 to €4.16 over the past year.
The figures put the average weekly wage at €871.62 for Q2 in 2022, rising from €850.81 in the previous quarter, while the average hourly wage has increased by 71c to €26.78.
The IT sector had the highest average hourly labour costs at €48.39, ahead of the financial, insurance and real estate activities sector at €45.72, while accommodation and food services had the lowest average wage (€14.72) behind arts, entertainment and recreation (€22.80).
Similarly, IT had the highest largest increase in average weekly earnings as pay has risen 11% over the past year to €1,442.80, while pay in the transportation and storage sector has increased 9.5% to €870.10, reflecting demand for drivers amid supply chain difficulties.
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In the second quarter, the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) directly supported 10.4% of active employments, and notably 53.5% of workers in accommodation and food services and 28.9% in the arts.
EWSS payments accounted for just 0.5% of total earnings across all sectors, rising to 7.7% in accommodation and food, 2.1% in the arts, 0.7% in transportation and storage and 0.4% in administrative and support services roles.
The professional, scientific and technical activities sector had the highest job vacancy rate during the quarter at 4.4%, with financial, insurance and real estate further back at 3.1%.
Overall, the job vacancy rate stood at 1.6%, up from 1.2% a year ago, but the number of active employments increased 13.8% year-on-year, with large bumps again in accommodation and food (+64.7%), and the arts (+26.7%).
Pay in the public sector rose 1.2% year-on-year in Q2, rising from €1,030.85 to €1,043.57, with gardai recording the highest average weekly earnings in the sector at €1,503.32. The education sector recorded the highest average hourly earnings at €43.44.
In the past five years, average weekly earnings have risen by 21%, and all sectors have seen increases in weekly pay.
(Pic: Getty Images)
