The figures for annual average earnings were revealed in a CSO report published on Thursday.

The average full-time worker in Ireland earned €45,611 in 2016, a 1.1% increase on the 2015 figure, according to a report published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Thursday. The report revealed that average annual earnings in Ireland increased by 1.2% to €36,519 in 2016, while the average amount earned by part-time employees was €16,597, an increase of 1.6%. Total earnings in Ireland rose to €61.2 billion in 2016, while the total cost of employing labour was €70.8 billion, increases of 4% and 4.1% respectively. The figures quoted in the report represent gross amounts before deductions for PRSI, tax and other levies and represent the average rather than the median amount, thought to be a more accurate reflection of the earnings of the middle class. In terms of individual sectors, the highest annual average earnings were in the information and communication sector (€55,961) and financial, insurance and real estate (€54,317). At the lower end of the scale, meanwhile, the lowest annual average earnings were in the accommodation and food services sector, with average annual total earnings of €17,214. Images via CSO.ie You can read the report in full here.