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Public-sector pay scale · 2026

Local Authority Pay Scales Ireland 2026

The Local Authority pay scale runs from €31,935 to €136,300 a year in 2026, across every grade from General Operative / Labourer (outside Dublin) to Director of Service. After income tax, USC and PRSI, that is about €27,704 to €81,870 in take-home pay for a single person.

From €31,935
To €136,300
Take-home (entry) €27,704
Take-home (top) €81,870
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Local Authority — every grade, point 1 to maximum

Full consolidated scale by grade, effective 1 June 2026. Expand a grade to see every point; take-home shown is for a single PAYE worker.

General Operative / Labourer (outside Dublin) €36,440 – €40,696
Point Basic / week Basic / year
Point 1 €700.77 €36,440
Point 2 €715.17 €37,189
Point 3 €758.77 €39,456
Point 4 €762.35 €39,642
Point 5 €765.77 €39,820
Point 6 €767.70 €39,920
Point 7 €769.68 €40,023
Point 8 €771.62 €40,124
Point 9 €773.54 €40,224
Point 10 €775.58 €40,330
Point 11 €777.60 €40,435
Point 12 €779.72 €40,545
Point 13 €781.82 €40,655
Point 14 €781.82 €40,655
Point 15 (max) €782.62 €40,696

The circular publishes this grade as a weekly rate; the annual figures are the weekly rate × 52. The first increment comes after 6 months, then one a year. Rate for outside the Dublin area.

Refuse Collector (outside Dublin) €40,354 – €41,582
Point Basic / week Basic / year
Point 1 €776.03 €40,354
Point 2 €779.63 €40,541
Point 3 €783.12 €40,722
Point 4 €783.12 €40,722
Point 5 €783.44 €40,739
Point 6 €785.35 €40,838
Point 7 €787.27 €40,938
Point 8 €789.29 €41,043
Point 9 €791.29 €41,147
Point 10 €793.31 €41,252
Point 11 €795.50 €41,366
Point 12 €797.62 €41,476
Point 13 (max) €799.65 €41,582

The circular publishes this grade as a weekly rate; the annual figures are the weekly rate × 52. The first increment comes after 6 months, then one a year. Rate for outside the Dublin area.

Driver Plant Operator A (outside Dublin) €40,965 – €42,190
Point Basic / week Basic / year
Point 1 €787.79 €40,965
Point 2 €791.67 €41,167
Point 3 €795.00 €41,340
Point 4 €797.01 €41,445
Point 5 €799.02 €41,549
Point 6 €801.07 €41,656
Point 7 €802.90 €41,751
Point 8 €805.05 €41,863
Point 9 €807.05 €41,967
Point 10 €809.18 €42,077
Point 11 €811.35 €42,190
Point 12 €811.35 €42,190
Point 13 (max) €811.35 €42,190

The circular publishes this grade as a weekly rate; the annual figures are the weekly rate × 52. The first increment comes after 6 months, then one a year. Rate for outside the Dublin area.

Craftworker €42,336 – €48,684
Point Basic / week Basic / year
Point 1 €814.16 €42,336
Point 2 €836.87 €43,517
Point 3 €891.43 €46,354
Point 4 €897.08 €46,648
Point 5 €902.63 €46,937
Point 6 €908.25 €47,229
Point 7 €913.85 €47,520
Point 8 €919.45 €47,811
Point 9 €925.05 €48,103
Point 10 €930.66 €48,394
Point 11 (max) €936.23 €48,684

The circular publishes this grade as a weekly rate; the annual figures are the weekly rate × 52. The first increment comes after 6 months, then one a year.

Foreman (Craft) €54,309 – €57,300
Point Basic / week Basic / year
Point 1 €1,044.40 €54,309
Point 2 €1,055.60 €54,891
Point 3 €1,061.04 €55,174
Point 4 €1,067.09 €55,489
Point 5 €1,072.85 €55,788
Point 6 €1,075.85 €55,944
Point 7 €1,078.73 €56,094
Point 8 €1,081.71 €56,249
Point 9 €1,084.74 €56,406
Point 10 €1,089.43 €56,650
Point 11 €1,093.11 €56,842
Point 12 (max) €1,101.93 €57,300

The circular publishes this grade as a weekly rate; the annual figures are the weekly rate × 52. The first increment comes after 6 months, then one a year.

Grade 3 Clerical Officer / Library Assistant €31,935 – €49,413
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €31,935
Point 2 €33,702
Point 3 €34,140
Point 4 €35,021
Point 5 €36,312
Point 6 €37,603
Point 7 €38,895
Point 8 €39,833
Point 9 €40,897
Point 10 €42,128
Point 11 €43,004
Point 12 €44,227
Point 13 €45,456
Point 14 €47,770
Point 15 (max) €49,413

Also the scale for Library Assistants. Branch Librarians are paid hourly on this scale (€17.49–€27.06 an hour, 35-hour week).

Grade 4 Assistant Staff Officer / Senior Library Assistant €36,474 – €56,015
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €36,474
Point 2 €38,622
Point 3 €41,672
Point 4 €43,673
Point 5 €45,425
Point 6 €47,120
Point 7 €49,406
Point 8 €51,063
Point 9 €52,761
Point 10 €54,367
Point 11 (max) €56,015
Grade 5 Staff Officer / Librarian / Legal Assistant €52,761 – €63,109
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €52,761
Point 2 €54,337
Point 3 €55,946
Point 4 €57,589
Point 5 €59,244
Point 6 €61,173
Point 7 (max) €63,109
Grade 6 Senior Staff Officer / Executive Librarian / Building Inspector €58,474 – €71,437
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €58,474
Point 2 €59,869
Point 3 €61,570
Point 4 €64,767
Point 5 €66,677
Point 6 €69,051
Point 7 (max) €71,437
Grade 7 Administrative Officer / Senior Executive Librarian €61,217 – €79,583
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €61,217
Point 2 €62,716
Point 3 €64,464
Point 4 €66,219
Point 5 €67,973
Point 6 €69,541
Point 7 €71,146
Point 8 €72,702
Point 9 €74,253
Point 10 €76,910
Point 11 (max) €79,583
Senior Executive Officer / County & City Librarian €82,595 – €109,155
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €82,595
Point 2 €83,331
Point 3 €86,572
Point 4 €89,833
Point 5 €93,101
Point 6 €96,333
Point 7 €99,586
Point 8 €103,275
Point 9 (max) €109,155
Technician Grade 2 €35,568 – €52,663
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €35,568
Point 2 €37,216
Point 3 €38,833
Point 4 €39,710
Point 5 €40,726
Point 6 €41,909
Point 7 €42,709
Point 8 €43,890
Point 9 €45,047
Point 10 €46,232
Point 11 €47,406
Point 12 €48,519
Point 13 €49,753
Point 14 €51,208
Point 15 (max) €52,663
Technician Grade 1 €49,753 – €58,952
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €49,753
Point 2 €50,498
Point 3 €51,478
Point 4 €52,463
Point 5 €53,452
Point 6 €54,464
Point 7 €55,399
Point 8 €57,163
Point 9 (max) €58,952
Executive Technician €52,964 – €63,367
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €52,964
Point 2 €54,212
Point 3 €55,506
Point 4 €56,824
Point 5 €58,161
Point 6 €59,489
Point 7 €61,429
Point 8 (max) €63,367
Senior Executive Technician €56,178 – €67,663
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €56,178
Point 2 €57,313
Point 3 €58,880
Point 4 €61,544
Point 5 €63,158
Point 6 €65,409
Point 7 (max) €67,663
Chief Technician €58,026 – €75,233
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €58,026
Point 2 €59,406
Point 3 €61,039
Point 4 €62,684
Point 5 €64,334
Point 6 €65,805
Point 7 €67,305
Point 8 €68,757
Point 9 €70,196
Point 10 €72,709
Point 11 (max) €75,233
Social Worker €43,641 – €67,168
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €43,641
Point 2 €46,640
Point 3 €47,800
Point 4 €49,993
Point 5 €52,283
Point 6 €54,637
Point 7 €57,047
Point 8 €59,563
Point 9 €62,053
Point 10 €63,972
Point 11 €65,893
Point 12 (max) €67,168
Housing Welfare Officer €45,203 – €68,595
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €45,203
Point 2 €48,143
Point 3 €49,537
Point 4 €51,690
Point 5 €53,992
Point 6 €56,347
Point 7 €58,738
Point 8 €61,171
Point 9 €63,620
Point 10 €65,446
Point 11 €67,297
Point 12 (max) €68,595
Senior Social Worker €82,729 – €99,509
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €82,729
Point 2 €85,115
Point 3 €88,712
Point 4 €92,308
Point 5 €95,909
Point 6 (max) €99,509
Graduate Engineer €40,244 – €50,951
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €40,244
Point 2 €43,111
Point 3 €47,211
Point 4 (max) €50,951
Assistant Engineer €48,248 – €74,809
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €48,248
Point 2 €50,942
Point 3 €52,949
Point 4 €55,032
Point 5 €57,166
Point 6 €59,335
Point 7 €61,524
Point 8 €63,714
Point 9 €65,903
Point 10 €68,095
Point 11 €70,299
Point 12 €72,552
Point 13 (max) €74,809
Executive Engineer €60,858 – €84,596
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €60,858
Point 2 €63,071
Point 3 €65,286
Point 4 €67,505
Point 5 €69,722
Point 6 €71,938
Point 7 €74,157
Point 8 €76,362
Point 9 €78,591
Point 10 €80,801
Point 11 €83,348
Point 12 (max) €84,596
Senior Executive Engineer €80,680 – €100,692
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €80,680
Point 2 €83,153
Point 3 €84,338
Point 4 €86,828
Point 5 €89,339
Point 6 €91,842
Point 7 €94,364
Point 8 €97,533
Point 9 (max) €100,692
Senior Engineer €93,698 – €112,107
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €93,698
Point 2 €95,995
Point 3 €98,283
Point 4 €100,582
Point 5 €102,874
Point 6 €105,177
Point 7 €108,641
Point 8 (max) €112,107
County Engineer €100,515 – €123,263
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €100,515
Point 2 €104,246
Point 3 €107,971
Point 4 €111,700
Point 5 €115,426
Point 6 €119,347
Point 7 (max) €123,263
Director of Service €115,332 – €136,300
Point Basic / year
Point 1 €115,332
Point 2 €120,573
Point 3 €125,815
Point 4 €131,055
Point 5 (max) €136,300

Scales apply to every county and city council, point 1 to maximum, with long-service increments (LSI) where the circular lists them. Chief Executives are paid a single rate set by council size: €241,361 (Dublin City), €206,636 (Cork County, Fingal, South Dublin), €195,411 (Cork City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Kildare, Meath, Limerick), €181,649 (Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Louth, Mayo, Tipperary, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow, Waterford) and €168,954 (Carlow, Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Galway City). Outdoor grades (general operative, refuse collector, driver plant operator, craft grades) are published as weekly rates; annual figures here are the weekly rate × 52, and the general operative rates shown are for outside the Dublin area. Not included: resident and site engineer contract ranges, and whole-time fire service grades, which are set by separate circular letters.

Work out take-home for any point on the scale

Prefilled to the midpoint

€
Your situation
Optional adjustmentsPension, bonus, auto-enrolment
0% · €0

At age 35, Revenue relief is limited to 20% of earnings, with earnings capped at €115,000.

Your take-home

€56,946

€4,745.52 a month

Gross income€84,118
Income tax20% / 40% less credits− €20,847
USC− €2,760
PRSI− €3,565
Net take-home€56,946
From 1 January 2027Budget 2027, in the Finance Bill, not yet in force€57,586+ €640
Effective rate32.3%
Marginal rate52.2%
Browse salary guidesSee where this salary ranks

2026 Class A estimate assuming uniform weekly pay: 4.2% through September and 4.35% from October, blended over the year. Actual PRSI is calculated per pay period and can differ with bonuses, unpaid weeks or a 53-week payroll year. Figures are not stored; calculator events use only a broad salary band.

Retained firefighters: retainer and call-out pay

Retained (part-time) firefighters are paid an annual retainer plus an hourly rate for every call-out and drill. The retainer is the fixed part; call-outs usually add more, so total pay is higher than the retainer alone.

Retained Fire Fighter retainer
€17,021 (year 1), €18,043 (years 2–4), €19,303 (years 5–7), €20,454 (year 8 on)
Retained Sub Officer / Driver Mechanic retainer
€22,039 (years 0–3), €23,794 (years 4–7), €25,390 (year 8 on)
Retained Station Officer retainer
€26,601 (years 0–3), €28,921 (years 4–7), €31,028 (year 8 on)
Call-out (standard attendance)
€52.60 for the first hour, €26.30 for each hour after
Call-out (premium attendance)
€105.20 for the first hour, €52.60 for each hour after
Drills
€52.60 an hour (double the €26.30 basic hourly rate)

Circular EL 04-2026, Appendix: Retained Fire Service Personnel, rates from 1 June 2026.

About these figures

Scales apply to every county and city council, point 1 to maximum, with long-service increments (LSI) where the circular lists them. Chief Executives are paid a single rate set by council size: €241,361 (Dublin City), €206,636 (Cork County, Fingal, South Dublin), €195,411 (Cork City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Kildare, Meath, Limerick), €181,649 (Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Louth, Mayo, Tipperary, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow, Waterford) and €168,954 (Carlow, Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Galway City). Outdoor grades (general operative, refuse collector, driver plant operator, craft grades) are published as weekly rates; annual figures here are the weekly rate × 52, and the general operative rates shown are for outside the Dublin area. Not included: resident and site engineer contract ranges, and whole-time fire service grades, which are set by separate circular letters. Take-home is worked out for a single PAYE worker; a pension contribution or different tax credits will change the net figure. Use the calculator above to model your own situation.

Public-sector scales rise by yearly increments, so where you sit depends on your service. Allowances and long-service increments can lift pay above the published maximum.

Local Authority pay — common questions

What is the Local Authority pay scale in 2026?
Local Authority pay runs from about €31,935 to €136,300 a year, per Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Circular EL 04-2026, Application of 1 June 2026 pay adjustments (Public Service Agreement 2024-2026), Appendix: Local Government Sector pay scales. Figures are taken directly from the circular, not derived from an earlier one.. Scales apply to every county and city council, point 1 to maximum, with long-service increments (LSI) where the circular lists them. Chief Executives are paid a single rate set by council size: €241,361 (Dublin City), €206,636 (Cork County, Fingal, South Dublin), €195,411 (Cork City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Kildare, Meath, Limerick), €181,649 (Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Louth, Mayo, Tipperary, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow, Waterford) and €168,954 (Carlow, Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Galway City). Outdoor grades (general operative, refuse collector, driver plant operator, craft grades) are published as weekly rates; annual figures here are the weekly rate × 52, and the general operative rates shown are for outside the Dublin area. Not included: resident and site engineer contract ranges, and whole-time fire service grades, which are set by separate circular letters.
What is the take-home pay on the Local Authority pay scale?
On the entry figure of €31,935, a single person takes home about €27,704 a year (€2,308.66 a month). At the top of the range, €136,300, take-home is about €81,870 a year (€6,822.47 a month).
Where do these figures come from?
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Circular EL 04-2026, Application of 1 June 2026 pay adjustments (Public Service Agreement 2024-2026), Appendix: Local Government Sector pay scales. Figures are taken directly from the circular, not derived from an earlier one., effective 1 June 2026. Public-sector figures are the official published scales; private-sector ranges are from a recruiter salary guide.
What is the General Operative / Labourer (outside Dublin) pay scale?
General Operative / Labourer (outside Dublin) runs from €36,440 (point 1) to €40,696 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €30,982 to €34,079 a year.
What is the Refuse Collector (outside Dublin) pay scale?
Refuse Collector (outside Dublin) runs from €40,354 (point 1) to €41,582 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €33,830 to €34,723 a year.
What is the Driver Plant Operator A (outside Dublin) pay scale?
Driver Plant Operator A (outside Dublin) runs from €40,965 (point 1) to €42,190 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €34,274 to €35,166 a year.
What is the Craftworker pay scale?
Craftworker runs from €42,336 (point 1) to €48,684 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €35,272 to €38,954 a year.
What is the Foreman (Craft) pay scale?
Foreman (Craft) runs from €54,309 (point 1) to €57,300 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €41,922 to €43,500 a year.
What is the Grade 3 Clerical Officer / Library Assistant pay scale?
Grade 3 Clerical Officer / Library Assistant runs from €31,935 (point 1) to €49,413 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €27,704 to €39,339 a year.
What is the Grade 4 Assistant Staff Officer / Senior Library Assistant pay scale?
Grade 4 Assistant Staff Officer / Senior Library Assistant runs from €36,474 (point 1) to €56,015 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €31,007 to €42,822 a year.
What is the Grade 5 Staff Officer / Librarian / Legal Assistant pay scale?
Grade 5 Staff Officer / Librarian / Legal Assistant runs from €52,761 (point 1) to €63,109 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €41,105 to €46,565 a year.
What is the Grade 6 Senior Staff Officer / Executive Librarian / Building Inspector pay scale?
Grade 6 Senior Staff Officer / Executive Librarian / Building Inspector runs from €58,474 (point 1) to €71,437 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €44,120 to €50,889 a year.
What is the Grade 7 Administrative Officer / Senior Executive Librarian pay scale?
Grade 7 Administrative Officer / Senior Executive Librarian runs from €61,217 (point 1) to €79,583 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €45,567 to €54,780 a year.
What is the Senior Executive Officer / County & City Librarian pay scale?
Senior Executive Officer / County & City Librarian runs from €82,595 (point 1) to €109,155 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €56,219 to €68,905 a year.
What is the Technician Grade 2 pay scale?
Technician Grade 2 runs from €35,568 (point 1) to €52,663 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €30,347 to €41,054 a year.
What is the Technician Grade 1 pay scale?
Technician Grade 1 runs from €49,753 (point 1) to €58,952 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €39,518 to €44,372 a year.
What is the Executive Technician pay scale?
Executive Technician runs from €52,964 (point 1) to €63,367 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €41,212 to €46,701 a year.
What is the Senior Executive Technician pay scale?
Senior Executive Technician runs from €56,178 (point 1) to €67,663 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €42,908 to €48,968 a year.
What is the Chief Technician pay scale?
Chief Technician runs from €58,026 (point 1) to €75,233 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €43,883 to €52,703 a year.
What is the Social Worker pay scale?
Social Worker runs from €43,641 (point 1) to €67,168 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €36,221 to €48,707 a year.
What is the Housing Welfare Officer pay scale?
Housing Welfare Officer runs from €45,203 (point 1) to €68,595 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €37,117 to €49,460 a year.
What is the Senior Social Worker pay scale?
Senior Social Worker runs from €82,729 (point 1) to €99,509 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €56,283 to €64,297 a year.
What is the Graduate Engineer pay scale?
Graduate Engineer runs from €40,244 (point 1) to €50,951 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €33,750 to €40,150 a year.
What is the Assistant Engineer pay scale?
Assistant Engineer runs from €48,248 (point 1) to €74,809 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €38,724 to €52,500 a year.
What is the Executive Engineer pay scale?
Executive Engineer runs from €60,858 (point 1) to €84,596 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €45,377 to €57,175 a year.
What is the Senior Executive Engineer pay scale?
Senior Executive Engineer runs from €80,680 (point 1) to €100,692 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €55,304 to €64,862 a year.
What is the Senior Engineer pay scale?
Senior Engineer runs from €93,698 (point 1) to €112,107 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €61,522 to €70,314 a year.
What is the County Engineer pay scale?
County Engineer runs from €100,515 (point 1) to €123,263 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €64,778 to €75,643 a year.
What is the Director of Service pay scale?
Director of Service runs from €115,332 (point 1) to €136,300 (scale maximum) in 2026. Take-home for a single PAYE worker is about €71,855 to €81,870 a year.