Ireland implements minimum wage increases across key sectors

In August 2025, workers in Ireland saw notable annual wage increases, particularly in the construction sector and security sectors, as reported by MSN. 

The new minimum hourly rates for construction workers are:

• Craftspersons (qualified trades such as electricians, plumbers, bricklayers): €23
• Category A workers (skilled general operatives with 4+ years’ experience, e.g. crane drivers, steel fixers): €22.32
• Category B workers (general operatives with 2+ years’ experience): €20.71
• New Entrant Operative Workers: €16.74 (up from €16.19)
• Apprentices in construction: increased rates depending on year of training

These represent a 3.4% rise in minimum hourly rates for construction, with a further 3.2% increase scheduled for August 2026. The initial phase of these increases commenced on August 5, 2024, with subsequent rises planned for August 1, 2025, and August 1, 2026.

Separately, in the security sector, around 16,000 workers saw their basic hourly rate rise in July 2025 under a new Employment Regulation Order (ERO). Pay was increased from €14.50 to €15.41 per hour, alongside clearer minimum terms and conditions.

An Employment Regulation Order (ERO) is a law that sets the minimum hourly pay and conditions (like sick pay or pensions) for workers in a specific sector, such as security, contract cleaning, or childcare.

As such, both of these sector-specific adjustments followed a nationwide boost to the statutory minimum wage in January 2025, when pay for workers aged 20 and over rose by 80 cents, from €12.70 to €13.50 per hour.

Construction Sector Workers Benefit from Phased Pay Rises

Approximately 46,600 construction workers are benefiting from a significant overhaul of their pay and entitlements. 

The Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Emer Higgins, approved a Labour Court recommendation to adjust minimum pay rates, alongside improved pension contributions and sick pay benefits for the construction industry.

The new rates apply across different categories of workers:

• Craftspersons, qualified trades such as bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers
• Category A workers, skilled general operatives with over four years of experience, including steel fixers and crane drivers
• Category B workers, general operatives with more than two years of experience

Apprentice pay rates have also seen an increase from early August, with their rates determined as a percentage of the Craft rate:

Exceptions to the National Minimum Wage

From January 1, 2025, the national minimum wage in Ireland for workers aged 20 and over was set at €13.50 per hour. While most employees are entitled to this rate, certain exceptions apply.

Those exceptions include:

• Individuals employed by a close relative (such as a spouse, civil partner, or parent)
• Workers in a statutory apprenticeship
• Employees under the age of 20

For younger workers, lower rates apply:

• Age 19: €12.15 per hour
• Age 18: €10.80 per hour
• Under 18: €9.45 per hour
• Under 18: €9.45/hour

 

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