How much does a Health Care Assistant (HCA) earn in Ireland?

The HSE Health Care Assistant (HCA) pay scale runs from €36,651 to €45,939 a year. You start near the bottom and move up the scale with each year of service.

What is the take-home pay for a Health Care Assistant (HCA)?

At the scale midpoint (€41,295), a single employee takes home about €34,530 a year (€2,877 a month) after income tax, USC and PRSI. Use the calculator above for the exact figure at any point on the scale.

What qualifications does a Health Care Assistant (HCA) need?

Requirements are set per campaign — check each listing. Relevant experience and, for many posts, a QQI qualification are typical.

Health & Social Care · HSE

Health Care Assistant (HCA) Salary in Ireland

Pay scale €36,651–€45,939 a year

Frontline care support to nurses and patients across hospitals, community and residential services — the HSE’s highest-volume grade.

The Health Care Assistant (HCA) salary follows the national HSE pay scale — a fixed incremental scale from €36,651 (starting point) to €45,939 (top of scale). You move up one increment for each year of satisfactory service, plus any long-service increments and qualification or location allowances that apply to the post.

Health Care Assistant (HCA) pay scale — point by point

Effective 1 June 2026. Take-home is an estimate for a single PAYE employee at 2026 rates.

Point	Annual salary	Take-home / year	/ month
1	€36,651	€31,149	€2,596
2	€38,130	€32,226	€2,685
3	€39,687	€33,359	€2,780
4	€40,101	€33,661	€2,805
5	€41,118	€34,401	€2,867
6	€41,998	€35,042	€2,920
7	€43,264	€35,963	€2,997
8	€44,577	€36,804	€3,067
9	€45,939	€37,523	€3,127

You start near the bottom and move up one point a year. Top-of-scale points may include long-service increments (LSIs), reached after service at the maximum. See your year-by-year progression →

Estimate your take-home pay

Prefilled at this grade’s scale midpoint — adjust to any point.

Gross salary (per year)

€

Paid

Include public-service pension & ASC (approx)

Estimated take-home

€2,878 /month

€34,530/year · €1,328/fortnight · €664/week

Gross: €3,441
− Income tax (PAYE): −€355
− USC: −€64
− PRSI: −€145
Net /month: €2,878
Effective deduction rate: 16.4%

Estimate for a single PAYE employee at 2026 rates — income tax, USC and PRSI only (marriage, rent/medical and other credits not included). Fortnightly = annual ÷ 26. Not tax advice; check revenue.ie for your exact figures.

Live Health Care Assistant (HCA) vacancies 10

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a Health Care Assistant (HCA) earn in Ireland?: The HSE Health Care Assistant (HCA) pay scale runs from €36,651 to €45,939 a year. You start near the bottom and move up the scale with each year of service.
What is the take-home pay for a Health Care Assistant (HCA)?: At the scale midpoint (€41,295), a single employee takes home about €34,530 a year (€2,877 a month) after income tax, USC and PRSI. Use the calculator above for the exact figure at any point on the scale.
What qualifications does a Health Care Assistant (HCA) need?: Requirements are set per campaign — check each listing. Relevant experience and, for many posts, a QQI qualification are typical.