Salary guide · IE

Software Engineer salary in Dublin: can you afford rent?

A Software Engineer in Dublin typically earns €53,000€141,000/year, with a median around €84,000/year. Median 1-bedroom rent is €1,800/month.

Affordability verdict

Manageable

At a typical Software Engineer salary of €84,000/year, spending on median Dublin rent (€1,800/mo) would take up 26% of gross income. That's within the recommended 30% threshold — a manageable situation.

Software Engineer salary range in Dublin

€53,000

Entry level

lower quartile

€84,000

Typical

median estimate

€141,000

Experienced

upper quartile

Software engineers design, build, and maintain applications and systems software. Figures are gross annual salary estimates for Dublin.

Gender pay gap note: women in tech roles in Ireland earn roughly 18% less than men on average. The salary figures above reflect the all-gender market median. Source: Eurostat earn_ses_pub1s 2022.

How much rent can a Software Engineer afford?

25% of income (comfortable)€1,750/mo
30% of income (standard)€2,100/mo
35% of income (stretch)€2,450/mo
Median Dublin rent€1,800/mo

Rent landscape in Dublin

€1,200

Budget

cheapest 10%

€1,800

Median

most common

€2,800

Premium

top 10%

1-bedroom equivalent. RTB Rent Index Q4 2024 (ESRI): 1-bed Dublin avg new tenancy €1,501/month; overall Dublin avg €2,117 · 2024

Check your own rent affordability →

Frequently asked questions

What does a Software Engineer earn in Dublin?

A Software Engineer in Dublin typically earns between €53,000 and €141,000/year, with a median around €84,000/year. Salaries vary by experience, employer, and sector.

Can a Software Engineer afford to live in Dublin?

At a typical Software Engineer salary of €84,000/year, median Dublin rent (€1,800/month) takes up 26% of gross income — within the recommended 30% threshold. Budget options in Dublin start around €1,200/month.

How much rent can a Software Engineer afford in Dublin?

On a median Software Engineer salary of €84,000/year, the recommended 30% rent budget is €2,100/month. Compared to Dublin's median rent of €1,800/month, this means median-priced accommodation is within reach.

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