Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that, in October 2007, the average hourly earnings in the public sector were 47.6% higher than in the private sector.
The CSO's National Employment Survey for 2007 shows that workers earned an average of €20.07 an hour, with the average for men €21.17 and for women €18.91.
The survey showed that the average working week at the time was 34.4 hours - 38 for men and 30.7 for women.
Average earnings per hour in the public sector were €26.67 compared with €18.07 per hour in the private sector. More than half (52.8%) of all public sector employees had third-level qualifications, compared with 31.9% in the private sector.
Average earnings per hour were highest in the education sector at €33.23, followed by the electricity, gas and water supply sector at €30.96. The lowest average hourly earnings were in the hotels and restaurants sector, at €12.93.
The CSO says educational qualifications had a strong influence on earnings, as employees who had a third level degree or higher tended to have higher earnings than other employees. The survey found that this difference increased with age.
Workers aged under 25 with a third level degree or higher qualification earned €17.57 per hour compared to those with a Leaving Certificate who earned €12.31 per hour. This gap had widened to €42.21 and €20.97 respectively for employees aged 50 to 60.
Average annual earnings were €37,726 in 2007 - €35,607 in basic pay and €2,120 in bonuses and other benefits.
