Construction Sector Minimum Pay Rates: New Rates Now in Effect

Employers in Ireland’s construction sector should be aware that updated minimum rates of pay came into effect on 1 August 2026 under the Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for the Construction Sector.

The updated rates set the minimum amount eligible construction workers and apprentices must be paid. Employers should ensure their payroll has been updated to reflect the new rates and that employees are receiving at least the applicable statutory minimum.

What Are the New Construction Pay Rates?

The new minimum hourly rates that apply from 1 August 2026 are:

• Craftsperson: €23.74 per hour
• Category A Worker: €23.03 per hour
• Category B Worker: €21.37 per hour
• New Entrant Operative Worker: €17.28 per hour

These rates are the statutory minimums for workers covered by the Construction Sectoral Employment Order. Employers can, of course, pay rates above these minimums.

Apprentice Rates

The SEO also provides minimum rates for apprentices, which are calculated as a percentage of the Craftsperson rate.

The updated minimum hourly rates are:

• Year 1: €7.91 per hour (33.33%)
• Year 2: €11.87 per hour (50%)
• Year 3: €17.81 per hour (75%)
• Year 4: €21.37 per hour (90%)

Employers should check that the correct apprentice rate is being applied based on the apprentice’s current year.

Who Is Covered?

The updated rates apply to employers and employees covered by the Construction Sectoral Employment Order, including:

• Craftspersons
• Category A Workers
• Category B Workers
• New Entrant Operative Workers
• Apprentices

If you’re unsure which classification applies to an employee, it’s important to check the requirements of the Sectoral Employment Order.

What Should Employers Do?

As the new rates are now in effect, construction employers should review their payroll to ensure the correct rates have been applied from 1 August 2026.

Employers should:

• Check that payroll systems reflect the new minimum rates.
• Review employee classifications and pay rates.
• Confirm that apprentice rates have been updated where applicable.
• Check recent payroll records for any errors or missed adjustments.
• Ensure employees are receiving at least the applicable statutory minimum.

If you haven’t already updated your payroll, reviewing your records now can help identify and correct any discrepancies.

Staying Up to Date with Employment Requirements

Changes to statutory pay rates can have a direct impact on payroll and employment costs. Keeping payroll systems and employee records up to date helps businesses remain compliant and reduces the risk of underpayments.

If you’re unsure how the latest construction sector pay rates affect your business, Amatino can help. Our payroll team can provide support with payroll processing and keeping your business up to date with changing employment requirements.