New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) suggest average annual earnings stood at €38,871 in 2018.

That is an increase of 3.3%, from €37,637 in 2017.

Average annual earnings for full-time employees last year were €47,596 (up 2.6% on 2017), while the average for part-time employees were €17,651 (an increase of 3.5%).

The CSO said total earnings rose to €71.5bn in 2018, an increase of 7.4% on 2017.

"This increase was driven by a rise in the average numbers employed of 4.0%, a 2.8% increase in average hourly earnings and a 0.4% increase in average weekly hours worked", it added.

While the total cost of employing labour grew by 7.1% in the year - with total annual labour costs reaching €82.7bn.

Sectors

The industry sector had the highest total annual labour costs, of €12.7bn, followed by the wholesale and retail trade sector and the human health and social work sector.

The administrative and support services sector and the arts, entertainment, recreation and other services activities sector had the lowest total annual labour costs of €3.5bn and €1.6bn respectively.

Full-time regular earnings increased each year from 2013 to 2018, with a 7.4% rise in 2018.

Part-time regular earnings also grew every year from 2013 to 2018 - with a 4.9% rise last year.

Average total earnings by economic sector: 2017-2018 | Source: CSO

While total annual earnings of apprentices/trainees also increased each year between 2013 and 2018, with an increase of 2.1% in 2018.

And total annual overtime earnings were €1.4bn in 2013, and have increased each year since with a 7.5% increase in 2018 reaching €1.9bn.

Average annual total earnings rose in all 13 economic sectors in 2018.

The largest percentage increase was 7.9% in the information and communication sector where average annual earnings rose from €56,758 to €61,269.

Average annual earnings in the construction sector rose by 5.7%, while the public administration and defence sector recorded the lowest average annual earnings growth of 1.7% in the year.

Total annual labour costs: 2013-2018 | Source: CSO