Updated for Public Service Agreement 2024–2026 | Last revised: January 2026
Table of Contents
- What Are HSE Pay Scales?
- Key Features of HSE Pay Scales
- Public Service Agreement 2024–2026: Pay Increases
- 2024 Pay Increases
- 2025 Pay Increases
- 2026 Pay Increases
- Nursing and Midwifery Pay Scales 2026
- Staff Nurse / Registered Midwife Pay Scale
- Enhanced Nurse / Dual Qualified Nurse-Midwife
- Clinical Nurse Manager 1 (CNM1)
- Clinical Nurse Manager 2 / Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNM2/CNS)
- Clinical Nurse Manager 3 (CNM3)
- Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)
- Public Health Nurse (PHN)
- Director of Nursing Scales
- Healthcare Assistant (HCA) Pay Scales 2026
- Health Care Assistant (Band 2)
- Health Care Assistant (Band 1)
- Care Assistant – Disability Services
- Clerical and Administrative Pay Scales 2026
- Clerical Officer Grade III
- Administrative Grade Salary Ranges
- Senior Management
- Medical and Dental Pay Scales 2026
- Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs)
- Consultant Pay Scales
- Allowances and Premiums
- Nursing and Midwifery Allowances
- Shift and On-Call Premiums
- How Increments and LSIs Work
- Annual Increments
- Long Service Increments (LSIs)
- Career Progression Pathways
- Nursing Career Path
- Healthcare Assistant Career Path
- Administrative Career Path
- Calculating Your Take-Home Pay
- Weekly Rate Calculation
- Part-Time Calculation
- Pension Contributions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- When will 2026 pay increases take effect?
- Can employers pay above the HSE pay scales?
- How is starting pay determined?
- Do pay scales apply to Section 38 organisations?
- What happens after reaching the maximum point?
- Are allowances pensionable?
- Key Resources
- Summary
- Related Posts
If you’re applying for a job in the Irish public health service in 2026, understanding HSE pay scales is essential. Whether you’re a nurse, healthcare assistant, clerical officer, or consultant, every role is paid according to nationally approved salary scales set by the Department of Health.
This comprehensive guide explains how HSE pay scales work in 2026, includes salary tables for the most popular grades, and answers frequently asked questions about increments, allowances, and career progression.
What Are HSE Pay Scales?
HSE pay scales are consolidated national salary tables issued by the Department of Health and approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. These scales apply uniformly across the Health Service Executive (HSE) and all Section 38 funded organisations nationwide.
Key Features of HSE Pay Scales
- Defined salary points: Every recognised grade has a structured scale with fixed incremental points
- Annual increments: Staff typically progress one point per year of satisfactory service
- Long Service Increments (LSIs): Extra salary points beyond the normal maximum, rewarding extended service
- Nationally standardised: The same pay applies whether you work in Dublin, Cork, Galway, or Sligo
- Legally binding: Employers cannot pay above the approved scale points, even from non-Exchequer funds
Public Service Agreement 2024–2026: Pay Increases
The current HSE pay scales operate under the Public Service Agreement 2024–2026, which provides for several pay adjustments. Here’s the full timeline of increases:
2024 Pay Increases
- 1 January 2024: 2.25% or €1,125 (whichever is greater)
- 1 June 2024: 1%
- 1 October 2024: 1% or €500 (whichever is greater)
2025 Pay Increases
- 1 March 2025: 2% or €1,000 (whichever is greater)
- 1 August 2025: 1%
- 1 September 2025: Local bargaining instalment (1% of basic pay cost)
2026 Pay Increases
- 1 February 2026: 1% or €500 (whichever is greater)
- 1 June 2026: 1%
The agreement delivers total increases worth approximately 10.25% over the 2.5-year period (9.25% general rounds plus 1% local bargaining). Lower-paid workers benefit more due to the flat-rate minimum floors.
Nursing and Midwifery Pay Scales 2026
Nursing and midwifery remain among the most recruited categories in the HSE. Below are the salary scales effective from 1 August 2025, with 2026 increases to be applied as per the agreement dates above.
Staff Nurse / Registered Midwife Pay Scale
| Point | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 37,288 |
| 2 | 39,260 |
| 3 | 40,267 |
| 4 | 41,598 |
| 5 | 43,275 |
| 6 | 44,952 |
| 7 | 46,620 |
| 8 | 48,063 |
| 9 | 49,509 |
| 10 | 50,949 |
| 11 | 52,413 |
| 12 (Max) | 53,873 |
| LSI | 55,477 |
LSI (Long Service Increment) payable after 3 years on the maximum point.
Enhanced Nurse / Dual Qualified Nurse-Midwife
| Point | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 44,311 |
| 2 | 46,819 |
| 3 | 48,158 |
| 4 | 49,188 |
| 5 | 50,322 |
| 6 | 51,839 |
| 7 | 53,355 |
| 8 (Max) | 55,644 |
| LSI | 57,273 |
Clinical Nurse Manager 1 (CNM1)
| Point | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 56,642 |
| 2 | 57,669 |
| 3 | 59,118 |
| 4 | 60,592 |
| 5 | 62,057 |
| 6 | 63,532 |
| 7 | 65,174 |
| 8 (Max) | 66,705 |
Clinical Nurse Manager 2 / Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNM2/CNS)
| Point | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 61,463 |
| 2 | 62,481 |
| 3 | 63,342 |
| 4 | 64,747 |
| 5 | 66,300 |
| 6 | 67,826 |
| 7 | 69,351 |
| 8 | 71,068 |
| 9 | 72,662 |
| 10 (Max) | 75,405 |
| LSI | 77,666 |
Clinical Nurse Manager 3 (CNM3)
| Point | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 70,725 |
| 2 | 72,124 |
| 3 | 75,662 |
| 4 | 77,054 |
| 5 | 78,454 |
| 6 (Max) | 79,872 |
Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)
| Point | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 71,408 |
| 2 | 72,792 |
| 3 | 74,125 |
| 4 | 78,221 |
| 5 | 79,511 |
| 6 | 81,009 |
| 7 | 82,410 |
| 8 | 83,801 |
| 9 (Max) | 88,123 |
Public Health Nurse (PHN)
| Point | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 61,643 |
| 2 | 62,481 |
| 3 | 63,342 |
| 4 | 64,747 |
| 5 | 66,300 |
| 6 | 67,826 |
| 7 | 69,351 |
| 8 | 71,068 |
| 9 | 72,662 |
| 10 (Max) | 75,405 |
| LSI | 77,666 |
Director of Nursing Scales
| Grade | Salary Range (€) |
|---|---|
| Director of Nursing Band 1 | 94,717 – 110,518 |
| Director of Nursing Band 2 | 88,239 – 103,167 |
| Director of Nursing Band 3 | 82,633 – 92,220 |
| Director of Nursing Band 4 | 77,210 – 89,955 |
| Director of Nursing Band 5 | 72,230 – 81,606 |
| Director of Public Health Nursing | 92,855 – 106,959 |
Healthcare Assistant (HCA) Pay Scales 2026
Healthcare assistants are among the most heavily recruited roles in the Irish health service. The 2025/2026 scales distinguish between different HCA grades and bands.
Health Care Assistant (Band 2)
| Point | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 34,036 |
| 2 | 35,167 |
| 3 | 36,191 |
| 4 | 37,209 |
| 5 | 38,662 |
| 6 | 39,667 |
| 7 | 40,555 |
| 8 | 41,497 |
| 9 | 43,128 |
| 10 | 43,740 |
| 11 | 44,898 |
| 12 (Max) | 47,454 |
| LSI | €49,000+ |
Health Care Assistant (Band 1)
Band 1 HCAs working in designated locations (such as St Ita’s Portrane, Central Mental Hospital, National Rehabilitation Hospital, and certain mental health services) receive higher rates:
| Point | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|
| Entry | ~38,822 |
| Maximum | ~45,632+ |
| LSI | Additional after 3 years on max |
Care Assistant – Disability Services
| Point | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|
| Entry | 34,036 |
| Maximum | 47,454 |
| LSI | Additional after 3 years on max |
Clerical and Administrative Pay Scales 2026
Administrative staff are essential to HSE operations. Here are the key clerical grades:
Clerical Officer Grade III
| Point | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 31,118 |
| 2 | 32,868 |
| 3 | 33,299 |
| 4 | 34,173 |
| 5 | 35,451 |
| 6 | 36,730 |
| 7 | 38,010 |
| 8 | 38,941 |
| 9 | 39,992 |
| 10 | 41,213 |
| 11 | 42,078 |
| 12 | 43,287 |
| 13 | 44,508 |
| 14 (Max) | 46,798 |
| LSI | 48,427 |
Administrative Grade Salary Ranges
| Grade | Salary Range (€) |
|---|---|
| Clerical Officer (Grade III) | 31,118 – 48,427 (incl. LSI) |
| Assistant Staff Officer (Grade IV) | ~41,000 – 52,000 |
| Staff Officer (Grade V) | ~47,000 – 60,000 |
| Administrative Officer (Grade VI) | ~55,000 – 70,000 |
| Grade VII | ~65,000 – 82,000 |
| Grade VIII | ~75,000 – 95,000 |
| General Manager | ~85,000 – 105,000 |
Senior Management
| Position | Salary Range (€) |
|---|---|
| Assistant National Director | 121,183 – 154,250 |
| Chief Officer, CHO | 120,254 – 146,974 |
| National Director | 150,000 – 200,000+ |
| HSE CEO | 398,174 |
Medical and Dental Pay Scales 2026
Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs)
| Grade | Salary Range (€) |
|---|---|
| Intern | 46,160 |
| Senior House Officer (SHO) | 54,203 – 74,133 |
| Registrar | 68,891 – 81,126 |
| Senior Registrar | 82,195 – 100,597 |
| Specialist Registrar | 77,234 – 96,158 |
Consultant Pay Scales
Consultant pay in Ireland follows a multi-point scale:
| Contract Type | Salary Range (€) |
|---|---|
| Type A (Public only) | 222,215 – 266,925 |
| Type B (Limited private) | 211,104 – 253,579 |
| Type C (Private practice) | 177,933 – 213,735 |
Note: Consultants with additional responsibilities may earn more through management roles, on-call duties, or private practice income.
Allowances and Premiums
Basic salary is only part of total earnings in many HSE roles. The 2026 scales include various allowances:
Nursing and Midwifery Allowances
| Allowance | Amount (€) |
|---|---|
| Location Allowance (Category A – ICU, ED, Oncology) | 4,121 per annum |
| Location Allowance (Category B – Long-stay, Mental Health) | 2,716 per annum |
| Midwifery Qualification Allowance | Varies |
| Dual Qualification Allowance | Varies |
| Specialist Qualification Allowance | Varies |
Shift and On-Call Premiums
- Night duty premium: Time plus one-sixth or one-quarter depending on grade
- Saturday premium: Time plus one-quarter
- Sunday premium: Time plus one-half
- Public holiday premium: Time plus one-half (or day in lieu)
- On-call allowances: Vary by grade and day of week
How Increments and LSIs Work
Annual Increments
- Staff progress one point per year of satisfactory service
- Increments are generally paid automatically on your increment date
- Part-time staff receive increments pro-rata based on hours worked
- Career breaks or extended unpaid leave may delay increments
Long Service Increments (LSIs)
LSIs reward extended service at the top of a salary scale:
| LSI | Timing |
|---|---|
| LSI 1 | After 3 years on maximum point |
| LSI 2 | After 3 years on LSI 1 |
| LSI 3 | After 3 years on LSI 2 (for certain grades) |
Career Progression Pathways
Nursing Career Path
Student Nurse → Staff Nurse → Senior Staff Nurse → CNM1 → CNM2/CNS → CNM3/ANP → Assistant Director of Nursing → Director of Nursing
Healthcare Assistant Career Path
HCA → Senior HCA → Further training for nursing or social care qualifications
Administrative Career Path
Clerical Officer (Grade III) → Executive Officer (Grade IV) → Higher Executive Officer (Grade V) → Administrative Officer (Grade VI) → Grade VII → Grade VIII → General Manager → National Director
Calculating Your Take-Home Pay
Weekly Rate Calculation
To calculate your weekly rate from the annual salary:
Weekly Rate = Annual Salary ÷ 52.18Part-Time Calculation
For part-time staff:
- Apply any percentage increase to the full-time basic salary
- Calculate pro-rata based on contracted hours
- Example: 20 hours per week = 20/39 of full-time rate
Pension Contributions
HSE staff contribute to public service pension schemes:
| Scheme | Contribution Rate |
|---|---|
| Single Public Service Pension Scheme (post-2013) | Varies by salary band |
| Pre-2013 schemes | Varies by scheme rules |
Frequently Asked Questions
When will 2026 pay increases take effect?
The Public Service Agreement provides for two increases in 2026:
- 1 February 2026: 1% or €500, whichever is greater
- 1 June 2026: 1%
Can employers pay above the HSE pay scales?
No. The consolidated salary scales state that rates “must be strictly adhered to” and no employee may receive remuneration above the approved scale, even from non-Exchequer sources.
How is starting pay determined?
New appointees generally start at Point 1 of the relevant scale. However, incremental credit may be applied for:
- Previous HSE or public service experience
- Recognised relevant experience in Ireland or abroad
- Relevant qualifications (for certain grades)
Contact your HR department for assessment of prior experience.
Do pay scales apply to Section 38 organisations?
Yes. The standard service arrangement between Section 38 providers and the HSE requires that remuneration conforms to public sector pay norms.
What happens after reaching the maximum point?
Once you reach the maximum point, you remain at that salary until an LSI becomes available (typically after 3 years on max) or until general pay increases are applied.
Are allowances pensionable?
Certain allowances classified as “in the nature of pay” are pensionable. Your pension benefits are calculated based on your substantive grade and approved pensionable allowances.
Key Resources
- Official HSE Pay Scales: healthservice.hse.ie/staff/pay/pay-scales
- Department of Health Circulars: Available through HSE HR Circulars page
- INMO Pay Information (for nurses): inmo.ie
- Forsa Health Salary Scales (for clerical/admin): forsa.ie
Summary
HSE pay scales for 2026 continue under the Public Service Agreement 2024–2026, with increases scheduled for February and June 2026. Understanding your grade’s pay scale, increment progression, and available allowances is crucial when applying for HSE jobs or planning your healthcare career in Ireland.
For the most accurate and personalised information about your specific pay point, always contact your HR department or the hiring organisation directly.
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