Boasting a growing economy, a rich culture, and technology infrastructure alongside its thriving industry and Silicon Docks, the Island nation of Ireland has, in recent decades, been a hotspot for international business and industries. The Emerald Isle, as Ireland is famously known, has cemented itself as a great place for contractors to live and grow their careers. With a wide range of opportunities, earning potential and EU membership, there are many reasons to pursue contract work in Ireland. In this article, we break down the benefits of contracting in Ireland and why Irish contractors earn more than their employee counterparts in similar roles.
Earning potential:
According to a recent article in The Irish Times, highly skilled independent and self-employed contractors in Ireland are earning significantly more than their employee counterparts.
The article cited a recent report which drew upon earning data from the CSO (Central Statistics Office).
The report found that independent and self-employed contractors with in-demand skills & high levels of expertise earn approximately 61% more than those working as employees in equivalent roles.
Growing demand:
While average earnings have dipped slightly over the past year, contractors remain ahead in terms of earnings, often making 1.6 times the average of their employee counterparts. This trend of higher earnings is particularly true in high-skilled sectors like ICT, where growing demand has led to an increase in day rates for highly skilled contractors. As we have discussed in our recent article "Hiring for the Future: The Most In-Demand IT Skills & How Contractors Are Bridging the Gap", the recent rapid transformation in technology has created a significant skills gap across many roles and industries, with many employers eager to bridge this gap by securing skilled talent to keep up with technological advances.
This increased demand and growing skills gap, fuelled by progress in artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity and cloud solutions, has led to higher day rates and earning potential for workers with AI and IT skills. In their Technology Contractor Day Rate Guide 2025, Hays highlights that Irish contractors recently saw an average day rate increase of 1.4%, with more significant increases for Python, Java and R developers (2.4%) and those in cyber security 2.3%.
Growing opportunity:
As we have previously discussed, the rapid transformation of technology, the growing skills gap, and the demand for talent with in-demand tech skills have led to increased opportunities for skilled contractors across multiple sectors, including technology. The rise in the popularity of AI, in particular, has led to the creation of new jobs. Recently, US Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup Anthropic has unveiled its plans for 100 new jobs across Dublin and London in pursuit of growing its base in Europe.
Despite the recent global economic uncertainty, companies are still keen to invest in Ireland and create jobs across a range of industries. Recently, Norwegian energy company DNV announced the creation of 200 new jobs in Ireland. They are not the only international firms to announce the creation of jobs in the country as Sony Interactive Entertainment is to establish a new Dublin office, creating 100 new jobs, and health information technology giant Datavant is to open its global R&D centre in Galway, creating over 100 new jobs. The country has also committed to investing in enterprise with the announcement of a new sustainability accelerator programme funded by Enterprise Ireland and run by Co. Wexford-based GreenTech HQ, poised to deliver over 300 new jobs. For contract professionals in Ireland, these recent announcements suggest ample future opportunities across IT, Green Energy and more.
Job satisfaction & quality of life:
Higher earning potential and increased opportunities are not the only reasons skilled professionals pursue a career as a contractor. Recent findings highlight that contractors report greater job satisfaction, with many choosing to pursue contract roles out of choice rather than necessity.
For international contract professionals, there are many reasons to choose to work in Ireland, from its rich culture and high quality of life to its global workforce. In the 2020 UNDP Human Development Report Index, Ireland ranked 2nd in the world for quality of life, and according to IDA Ireland, Ireland has some of the highest rates of life satisfaction in the OECD.
Contract work looks to be here to stay!
As we move further into the second half of the decade, workforces and ways of working continue to evolve. Rapid changes in technology and other sectors have led to a growing need for skilled talent and expertise, with companies increasingly looking to contract professionals to address gaps in their workforce and hire for project-based roles.
For skilled professionals, a career as a contractor has many benefits, such as higher rates and job satisfaction. In recent years, contracting has become increasingly popular in Ireland. In 2023, Robert Half reported that 53% of Irish professionals expressed interest in pursuing contracting. This growing interest is driven by the many benefits offered by a career in contracting.
Essential considerations:
Whether you're a contractor looking to work in Ireland or a recruiter placing contractors, ensuring compliance is essential!
While navigating tax laws, immigration regulations and visa requirements, local labour laws, payroll, insurance, and contractor classification can feel overwhelming; our expert team is on hand to help!
At 3C Global, we offer end-to-end solutions tailored to your needs!
We offer a wide range of services, including an Irish Employer of Record (EOR) solution.
Contact us today!
Recruiters, Ready to take the next step in your global hiring journey? Contact 3C Global Group today to learn how we can help you hire and place contractors quickly, compliantly and competently in a new market.
Contractors, Ready to take up a new role but have compliance questions?
Our knowledgeable team is on hand to assist with whatever your international contracting query entails. Whether it is employment structures, invoicing, insurance, immigration queries or more, our expert team is on hand to help.
Contact 3C Global Group today!
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