The three most common minimum wage jobs in Ireland are kitchen helpers, shop sales assistants and bartenders, according to a new study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
The research, which was funded by the Low Pay Commission, examined minimum wage employment in Ireland using online job vacancy data.
It found that in 2023, minimum wage jobs accounted for around 7% of all hourly-paid job vacancies.
However, following the 2024 minimum wage increase, from €11.30 to €12.70 per hour, the incidence doubled to over 15%.
The incidence of minimum wage job vacancies differs across counties. From 2021 to 2024, around 7% of job advertisements in Dublin were for minimum wage workers, compared to over 20% in Donegal.
The length of time an online vacancy remained published online is taken as a measure of how difficult the vacancy is to fill. The time it takes to fill minimum wage positions is no different from higher paid jobs.
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When looking at job vacancies that specifically mention previous work experience, the research found that 80% of minimum wage positions require one to three years of previous experience.
The main business activity of the top minimum wage employer in Ireland is 'catering and facilities management'.
Retail was the business activity of both the second and third largest minimum wage employers.
Other large minimum wage employers typically operate in catering services, retail or hospitality. Generally, these employers posted minimum wage vacancies for catering staff, service staff, sales assistants, cleaners, packaging assistants or administrative staff.
"The recent availability of online job vacancy data allows us to gain new insights into minimum wage employment in Ireland," said Dr Paul Redmond, an author of the report and an Associate Research Professor at the ESRI.
"For the first time, we can see how minimum wage employment varies across the country, and profile the top skills and experience requirements associated with minimum wage jobs," Dr Redmond said.
Ultan Courtney, Chair of the Low Pay Commission, welcomed the publication of the report.
"This new research gives us important insights into how minimum wage workers interact within a modern economy and labour market," Mr Courtney said.
"This research will improve our discussions with stakeholders and enhance our own deliberations as we move towards our recommendations to the Government for 2026," he added.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the minimum wage
It has helped boost the incomes of the country's lowest paid workers but many who are in receipt of it say it is still a struggle to make ends meet.
Lucy Ahern is a minimum wage worker and believes the rate should increase further.
"As a college student paying college fees and paying rent, it can be quite hard," Ms Ahern said.
"Even getting groceries, making dinners - it all adds up and is really expensive."
"So if it went up a little more that'd be great," she added.
On 1 January, the minimum wage increased by 80 cent to €13.50 per hour.
The Government had committed to introducing a 'living wage' to replace the minimum wage by 2026.
This would be set at 60% of the hourly median wage.
Earlier this month however, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke said he was delaying the introducing of the living wage until 2029, and was deferring a decision on abolishing youth sub-minimum wage rates.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions criticised the move, describing it as "shameful and unacceptable".
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