PSW jobs in Ireland pay between €13 and €20 per hour, but the jump from entry-level to comfortable living isn’t automatic. This guide uses live job data and official sources to show you exactly what the role pays, what it demands, and how to land one.

Average PSW hourly wage in Ireland: €13 – €20 per hour ·
PSW job listings in Dublin (Indeed): 170+ ·
Monthly salary considered comfortable (single): €3,000 ·
Annual salary of €70,000 equates to hourly: ~€35.90 ·
Hourly rate of €13.50 equals annual (40h/week): €28,080

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Indeed lists 170+ PSW jobs in Dublin (Indeed)
  • PSW hourly rate in Ireland ranges €13–€20 (Resilience Healthcare)
  • Empathy, patience, communication are key qualities (Trillium College)
  • 5 core duties: personal care, medication, companionship, housekeeping, documentation (Precious Homes)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact future demand for PSW in Ireland post-2025
  • How PSW salary might change with inflation
  • Which specific Glassdoor stress-free jobs compare directly to PSW
3Timeline signal
  • No major regulatory changes expected in 2025; demand steady across long-term care and home care (HSE)
4What’s next
  • Check Indeed, LinkedIn, IrishJobs.ie for new postings daily (Indeed)
  • Consider part-time roles or training courses to enter the field (Indeed)

The table below summarises the key numbers that matter for anyone considering PSW work in Ireland.

Fact Value
PSW hourly rate range (Ireland) €13 – €20
PSW jobs in Dublin (Indeed count) 170+
Comfortable monthly salary (single) €3,000
Annual equivalent of €13.50/hr €28,080
Top qualities for PSW Empathy, patience, communication

What jobs pay 20 euros an hour?

How much do PSW jobs pay in Ireland?

  • Personal Support Worker roles in Ireland typically pay between €13 and €20 per hour, according to job listings on Indeed.
  • Resilience Healthcare, a major provider, advertises a minimum starting wage of €15 an hour for Support Worker positions across multiple counties (Resilience Healthcare).
  • For a full-time schedule (40 hours/week), €13.50/hr equals roughly €28,080 a year, while €20/hr annualises to around €41,600.

What other jobs in Ireland pay €20 per hour?

  • Customer service roles, administrative assistants, and skilled trades often reach the €20/hr mark.
  • Entry-level Civil Service positions start around €31,495 annually, per Public Jobs, which is roughly €15.14/hr — below €20.
  • Jobs that involve overtime or specialised care can push PSW pay to the €20 ceiling or beyond.
Why this matters

A PSW earning near the top of the range (€20/hr) takes home about €41,600 a year — comfortably above the €3,000/month benchmark for a single person in Dublin. The trade-off: these higher rates often require experience or specialised training.

The implication: targeting €20/hr means investing in qualifications and experience from day one.

What qualities make a good PSW?

What are your top 3 strengths as a caregiver?

  • Trillium College identifies empathy, patience, and communication as the core attributes of an effective Personal Support Worker (Trillium College).
  • Caregivers also need reliability and emotional stability to handle the ups and downs of daily support.

Do You Have What it Takes to be a PSW?

  • Beyond the top three, physical stamina, active listening, and a non-judgmental attitude are frequently listed in job descriptions.
  • Employers like Resilience Healthcare look for experience in care settings — even life experience counts (Resilience Healthcare).
The upshot

Hiring managers care most about your interpersonal strengths. If you can demonstrate empathy and patience, you’re already ahead of many applicants.

What this means: preparing for interview questions around emotional resilience is as important as listing care experience.

What are 5 key duties of a support worker?

What does a support worker do?

  • Personal care: bathing, dressing, grooming (Precious Homes).
  • Medication assistance and monitoring.
  • Companionship and emotional support.
  • Household tasks: meal prep, light cleaning.
  • Documentation and reporting to the healthcare team.

What is the difference between a PSW and a support worker?

  • In Ireland, the terms are often used interchangeably, though “support worker” can cover broader social care roles.
  • Both involve the same core duties, but PSW roles may focus more on personal care and clinical tasks.
The catch

The role is physically and emotionally demanding. Many PSWs report high satisfaction but also warn about burnout if boundaries aren’t maintained.

The pattern: the most successful PSWs treat the role as a blend of clinical skill and emotional labour, not just a list of tasks.

Is 3000 euro a month a good salary in Ireland?

How much is 13.50 per hour annually?

  • €13.50 an hour for 40 hours a week yields €28,080 before tax (Instarem).
  • After tax (standard PAYE), take-home is roughly €2,100–€2,300/month depending on deductions.

What is the average cost of living for a single person in Ireland?

  • Instarem’s 2025 cost-of-living data pegs comfortable monthly expenses for a single person at around €2,500 including rent (Instarem).
  • €3,000 a month provides a modest surplus for savings or leisure.
  • A PSW earning €13.50/hr would be tight on budget; those at €18–€20/hr have more breathing room.
Bottom line: PSW is a viable career in Ireland, but entry-level pay (€13.50/hr) barely covers the average cost of living. For newcomers: target employers offering at least €15/hr. For career changers: upskilling can unlock the €20/hr tier.

The catch: a PSW on €13.50/hr who rents in Dublin faces a budget squeeze — the choice is between location flexibility and pay floor.

What is the least stressful job in Ireland?

Which job is best for enjoying life?

  • Glassdoor’s 2025 list of 40 stress-free jobs in Ireland includes roles in tech support, library services, and education (Glassdoor).
  • PSW jobs are not typically labelled low-stress due to emotional demands, but flexible scheduling and part-time options can reduce pressure.

Do PSW jobs have low stress?

  • Not inherently, but many PSWs report high job satisfaction from meaningful connections with clients.
  • Coursera notes that care roles with predictable hours and supportive management offer better work-life balance (Coursera).
What to watch

If low stress is your priority, PSW may not be the best fit — but if meaning and flexibility matter more, it’s a strong contender.

What this means: a PSW role with set hours and a supportive team can still offer a decent work-life balance, even if it isn’t on Glassdoor’s low-stress list.

How to Find PSW Jobs Near Me

  1. Search job boards daily: Use Indeed, LinkedIn, and IrishJobs.ie with keywords “personal support worker” and your location.
  2. Check specialist agencies: Resilience Healthcare and similar providers recruit directly for multiple counties (Resilience Healthcare).
  3. Tailor your CV: Highlight empathy, patience, and any care experience — even informal care counts.
  4. Consider part-time or no-experience roles: Many ads explicitly say “no experience required” or offer training.
  5. Prepare for certification: Employers often require FETAC Level 5 or equivalent. Enrol in a course if needed (QQI).

The pattern: the most efficient path is to apply while training — many employers offer conditional offers pending certification.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Indeed lists 170+ PSW jobs in Dublin
  • PSW hourly rate range €13–€20
  • €3,000/month is comfortable for a single person (Instarem 2025)
  • Core duties include personal care, medication, companionship, housekeeping, documentation
  • Glassdoor lists 40 stress-free jobs in Ireland

What’s unclear

  • Exact future demand for PSW in Ireland post-2025
  • How PSW salary might change with inflation
  • Which specific Glassdoor jobs are directly comparable to PSW

What PSWs and employers say

“Do You Have What it Takes to be a PSW? Empathy and patience are non-negotiable.”

— Trillium College career guide

“What does a support worker do? Personal care, medication assistance, and companionship are at the heart of the role.”

— Precious Homes job description

“203 Personal Support Worker jobs in Ottawa, ON; 170+ in Dublin — demand is real.”

— Indeed job listings

For job seekers eyeing PSW roles in Ireland, the numbers say one thing clearly: entry-level pay hovers around €13–€15 per hour, which covers essentials for a single person but leaves little room for extras. The implication: aim for employers offering at least €15/hr, and invest in a FETAC Level 5 qualification to unlock higher rates. For newcomers and career changers, the choice is straightforward — take the first step with an entry role and upskill, or risk missing the window while demand is high.

For a detailed look at what employers expect and how to apply, check out this guide on PSW jobs in Ireland.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need previous experience to work as a PSW?

Not always. Many employers hire candidates with no direct experience if they show empathy and a willingness to learn. Some offer on-the-job training.

What certifications or training are required for PSW in Ireland?

The standard is a FETAC Level 5 in Healthcare Support or a similar qualification. Resilience Healthcare lists it as essential for advertised roles (Resilience Healthcare).

Can I work part-time as a PSW?

Yes. Many providers offer part-time, flexible hours. Indeed shows part-time PSW listings in Dublin and other regions.

Is PSW a physically demanding job?

Yes. Duties include lifting, bathing, and prolonged standing. Physical stamina is essential.

What is the difference between a PSW and a home care assistant?

In Ireland the terms overlap, but PSW roles often include more clinical tasks like medication management, while home care assistants focus on companion and household help.

How long does PSW training usually take?

FETAC Level 5 courses typically run 6–12 months part-time. Some providers offer accelerated programmes.

Are PSW jobs available in hospitals or only in home care?

Both. Hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home care agencies all hire PSWs. Indeed listings show hospital-based roles in Dublin and Ottawa.

What is the starting pay for a PSW with no experience?

Entry-level positions start around €12–€14 per hour, but with a FETAC Level 5 you can expect €15 or more.