High Earners in Ireland: ~140,000 People Earned Over €100K in 2021

According to the Irish Revenue Commissioners, an estimated 140,000 individuals had annual incomes exceeding €100,000 in 2021—about 3% of the workforce.

Breakdown

• Geographic concentration: Dublin and major cities (Cork, Galway, Limerick).
• Sector concentration: Financial services, technology/IT, pharmaceuticals, legal, senior management.
• Gender gap: Men significantly outnumber women in this bracket.

Context

• Median full-time earnings ~€40,000.
• Top 1% threshold ~€180,000.
• Taxation: PAYE + USC + PRSI; marginal rate 52% on income >€70,044 (single).

Figures are from Revenue's annual statistical reports; 2022/2023 data may show further growth in tech/pharma.