Ireland Employee Cost Calculator
See the true cost of employing someone in Ireland — gross salary plus an estimated 11.3% in employer social contributions.
Cost of an employee in Ireland
Employer contribution breakdown
| Contribution | Rate | Annual amount |
|---|---|---|
| Employer PRSI (Class A1) | 11.25% | — |
| Total employer contributions | 11.3% | — |
Employer costs in Ireland
Ireland has a comparatively low employer burden — employer PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance) of 11.25% for most employees on the standard Class A1 rate, with no other broad statutory employer payroll charge.
- Employer PRSI is 11.25% (Class A1) for employees earning above €552 per week (from 1 October 2025).
- A lower 9% employer rate applies to employees earning €552 or less per week (Class A0).
- There is no separate employer health or unemployment levy beyond PRSI.
This estimates statutory employer PRSI only. It excludes any occupational pension, benefits, or sector arrangements. PRSI rates are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current rate before payroll.
Hire and pay in Ireland
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Frequently asked questions
On top of gross salary, an employer pays statutory social-security contributions — around 11.3% in Ireland. The total employer cost is the gross salary plus those employer contributions. It does not include optional benefits, equipment, or recruitment costs.
Employers must pay mandatory social-security and payroll charges on top of the gross salary the employee sees. These fund pensions, healthcare, unemployment, and similar schemes, and they are a real, recurring cost of employment.
In most countries several contributions are calculated only up to a maximum income base, so the effective employer rate is lower for high salaries. Treat this calculator as a budgeting estimate rather than exact payroll.
Many companies use an Employer of Record (EOR) to hire compliantly in Ireland without opening a local subsidiary. The EOR is the legal employer and handles payroll, contributions, and compliance for a monthly fee.