
Manufacturing and Production Salaries in Ireland 2026
Compare manufacturing and production salaries in Ireland for operatives, supervisors, quality staff and management roles.
Manufacturing and Production Pay in Ireland
Manufacturing and production employers across Ireland continue to recruit for operational, engineering and quality-led positions. Demand is strongest where sites need productivity, compliance, process improvement and dependable supervision to maintain output and customer service.
Salary levels vary by shift pattern, technical complexity, regulatory environment and team size. Leadership and specialist quality or engineering roles tend to command stronger packages than core operative positions, though shift premiums can materially affect take-home pay in production settings.
Salary Trends
Manufacturing salaries remain solid in Ireland, especially where employers need people who can improve throughput, quality and compliance. Specialist engineering and production leadership roles continue to attract stronger packages than standard line positions.
Demand Skills
Process improvement, quality control, GMP awareness, supervision, reporting, manufacturing systems
Demand Roles
Production Operative, Production Supervisor, QA Specialist, Manufacturing Engineer, Production Manager
Manufacturing and Production Salaries In Ireland
Production Operative
0 - 3 Years
€30,000 to €34,000
3 - 5 Years
€34,000 to €38,000
5+ Years
€38,000 to €42,000
Demand Level
High
Production Supervisor
0 - 3 Years
€40,000 to €50,000
3 - 5 Years
€50,000 to €60,000
5+ Years
€60,000 to €75,000
Demand Level
High
QA Specialist
0 - 3 Years
€38,000 to €48,000
3 - 5 Years
€48,000 to €58,000
5+ Years
€58,000 to €72,000
Demand Level
High
Manufacturing Engineer
0 - 3 Years
€45,000 to €55,000
3 - 5 Years
€55,000 to €70,000
5+ Years
€70,000 to €90,000
Demand Level
High
Production Manager
0 - 3 Years
€60,000 to €75,000
3 - 5 Years
€75,000 to €95,000
5+ Years
€95,000 to €120,000
Demand Level
High
Role Title | 0 to 3 Years | 3 to 5 Years | 5+ Years | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Production Operative | €30,000 to €34,000 | €34,000 to €38,000 | €38,000 to €42,000 | High |
Production Supervisor | €40,000 to €50,000 | €50,000 to €60,000 | €60,000 to €75,000 | High |
QA Specialist | €38,000 to €48,000 | €48,000 to €58,000 | €58,000 to €72,000 | High |
Manufacturing Engineer | €45,000 to €55,000 | €55,000 to €70,000 | €70,000 to €90,000 | High |
Production Manager | €60,000 to €75,000 | €75,000 to €95,000 | €95,000 to €120,000 | High |

LoCATION INSIGHTS
Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford remain particularly important for manufacturing salaries due to the concentration of industrial and regulated employers. Dublin and surrounding counties also offer strong opportunities, especially in food, packaging and distribution-linked production.