Average weekly earnings in Ireland’s accommodation and food service sector rose 7.7% in the year to Q2 2026, almost twice the economy-wide pace, according to the Central Statistics Office.
The sector average reached €506.78, up from €470.59 a year earlier — an increase of €36.19 a week. The Q2 2026 figures are preliminary estimates and may be revised.
Across the economy, the weekly average rose 3.9%, from €1,007.58 to €1,046.88 over the same period. Both annual comparisons use unadjusted figures, without seasonal adjustment.
Despite the faster growth, accommodation and food service earnings remained below half the economy-wide weekly average. These are averages for employees covered by the release, not pay rates for individual roles.
Over three years, the sector’s average weekly earnings were 17.2% higher than in Q2 2023.
The sector also recorded average hourly total labour costs of €20.27 per paid hour in Q2 2026, the lowest sector figure reported by the CSO. This measures enterprises’ total labour costs, whereas the weekly series measures employee earnings. It is not an hourly equivalent of the weekly average.
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