AVERAGE ANNUAL EARNINGS rose to €36,079 in 2012 from €35,905 in 2011, an increase of 0.5 per cent or €174.

This compares with a fall of 0.6 per cent or €212 between 2010 and 2011, when the value was €36,117.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office showed construction workers has the biggest fall in their wages, which were down 9.1 per cent since in 2009 to around €36,000.

While those working in the ‘information and communication’ sector saw their annual salaries increase the most, up 7.8 per cent since 2009 to around €50,000.

The sector that witnesses the largest percentage increase in 2012 when compared with 2011 was ‘professional, scientific and technical activities’ up 5.2 per cent, while the sector with biggest percentage decrease was ‘accommodation and food services’, down 3.5 per cent.

In the three years to 2012, total annual earnings have fallen by €4 billion or -6.7 per cent.

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