Here we’ll give you examples of a range of pharmacy salaries in addition to other important information you’ll need before settling on a career in Ireland.

Pharmaceutical Salaries

Currently supervising pharmacist salaries (permanent positions) range from €70,000 to €100,000, support pharmacist from €60,000 to €70,000, and pharmacy technicians from €25,000 to €40,000 per annum.

Locum (part time) pharmacists can earn anywhere from €100,000 to €180,000 pa, and pharmacy technicians from €30,000 to €45,000 per annum.

Supervising pharmacist positions earn a higher salary as these are managerial roles.

Working Hours

In Ireland, the normal working day is 8 hours and most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some opening later to allow access to medicines outside of the normal working hours.

At this time, many pharmacies are offering overtime hours due to the current shortage of pharmacy staff, so this can substantially increase earning potential.

Locum Work

Temporary pharmacy jobs in Ireland are generally called ‘locum’ jobs. Locum jobs also operate on the same working hours, but positions may last anywhere from one day to one year, and in some cases the option of overtime is also available.

At this time Ireland has a huge amount of locum work available for pharmacy staff, as existing staff are seeking more time off to recuperate following the Covid 19 pandemic.

When you Get Paid

Permanent positions in pharmacy are paid monthly at the end of the month. Many locum positions are also paid monthly, but some are paid weekly, it depends from job to job.

Employment Benefits

In Ireland certain employment benefits are mandatory, for example pension, health insurance, maternity/paternity leave, and sick pay, so all these are available to pharmacy staff.

Working in Pharmacy in Ireland

The working environment for pharmacists in Ireland varies greatly from pharmacy to pharmacy. Busy, city centre pharmacies offer more stimulation for those who like a fast paced environment, but rural pharmacies (and there are plenty in Ireland) may move at a slightly slower pace, it depends from town to town.

Wherever you end up working, one thing’s for sure - the Irish in general are a relaxed and friendly bunch! Irish people rate their general satisfaction with life at 7/10, which is higher than the world average of 6.7 (OECD Better Life Index).

Irish people are very polite and respectful of others’ feelings, and one thing we all agree on is that we love the ‘craic’. Craic is the Irish word for fun. It’s something that is central to our culture, and whilst we take our work very seriously, there’s always time to lighten the mood and share a smile, even at work.

Our working environment is such an important factor in our happiness at work, and we think you’ll find working in Ireland a pleasant experience.

Cost of Living

It’s no secret that the cost of living is increasing all over the world and Ireland is no exception. But there are ways to keep the cost of living down, particularly if you choose to live in less expensive areas like Limerick, Cork, Galway or Waterford, which are all counties with rich cultural and social scenes.

Taxation in Ireland

Ireland has a PAYE (pay as you earn) taxation system. Your employer will deduct your taxes from your earnings and then transfer the remainder to your bank account. It’s a system that makes paying taxes very easy for the employee, as all the basics are taken care of by your employer.

Your employer will deduct the following:

Income Tax

Your income tax contributions fund public services like the health service, emergency services, building and maintenance of infrastructure, and public education. If you’re a single person earning under €36,800, you pay tax at the lower rate of 20%. Salaries over €36,800 move you into a higher tax band of 41% tax.
However, there are increased rate bands available for people in certain situations, for example, if you’re married. For more information, visit this page.

There are also a range of tax credits available, which will automatically be credited to you once you declare your personal status (single/married, children/no children, etc) to the Revenue Commissioners. You can find more details here and here.

It’s important to note that when you start working in Ireland, you must register immediately with the Revenue Commissioners to avoid paying excess tax. If you start working before you’re fully registered, it’s highly likely you’ll pay emergency tax, which may mean you’re overpaying until your registration is complete. To help you avoid this situation, here’s a guide that explains how to register with the Revenue Commissioners.

USC (Universal Social Charge)

This is a second tax that also contributes to public services that cannot be reduced by tax credits. In 2022 it’s charged at a rate of 4.5% if you earn between €21,295.01 - €70,044, and 8% if you earn over €70,044.01. For the latest figures visit this page.
PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance)
This is a contribution to the Social Insurance Fund, which allows you to claim a range of benefits from the Department of Social Protection. You can find more information here.

Finding Work as in Pharmacy in Ireland

Right now in Ireland there are lots of pharmacy jobs available! Register with us today to get more information.