New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that average weekly earnings amounted to €742.19 in the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 2.4% from €725.05 a year ago.
The highest average weekly earnings of €1,229.13 were in the financial, insurance and real estate activities sector, followed by the information and communication sector at €1,179.97.
The lowest average weekly earnings were €325.18 in the accommodation and food service activities sector and €484.25 in the arts, entertainment, recreation and other service activities sector.
Today's CSO figures also show that average hourly earnings increased by 2.7% between the first quarter of 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, rising from €22.69 to €23.31.
Average weekly paid hours decreased by 0.6% between the same period - from 32 hours to 31.8.
The CSO said that average weekly earnings increased by 3.8% across the public sector in the year to the first quarter of 2018, rising from €915.86 to €950.82.
This increase came on the back of wage restoration in the public sector.
An Garda Síochána recorded the highest average weekly earnings in the public sector of €1,299.05, followed by the semi-state sector with average weekly earnings of €1,022.98.
The Defence sector had the lowest average weekly earnings of €850.22.
The CSO said that the education sector recorded the highest average hourly earnings in the quarter of €39.72 while also showing the lowest hours worked of 24.2.
An Garda Síochána had the next highest average hourly earnings in the quarter of €30 while also working the longest hours of 43.3, it added.
Today's figures also reveal an increase in average weekly earnings in the private sector of 1.8%, with pay rates rising from €672.18 to €684.11.
Today's figures also show that the job vacancy rate at the end of the first quarter of this year was 1%, the same rate the same time last year.
