Ireland's technology sector continues to thrive in 2025, with over 2,200 tech startups employing approximately 55,000 professionals. While Dublin has long been recognized as the epicenter of Ireland's tech industry, other cities like Cork, Galway, and Limerick are emerging as significant tech hubs. This article provides a detailed analysis of the current state of tech employment across these regions.
Dublin: The Established Tech Powerhouse
Dublin remains the heart of Ireland's tech industry, hosting the European headquarters of major tech giants such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, HubSpot, and Salesforce. The city’s Grand Canal Dock—often referred to as "Silicon Docks"—continues to be a hub for innovation, venture capital, and global talent.
Despite recent shifts, Dublin still accounts for over 40% of all tech roles in Ireland. According to recent reports, the average base salary for a software engineer in Dublin is approximately €65,000, with cloud architects and AI specialists often exceeding €85,000.
The city is also known for its startup incubators such as Dogpatch Labs and NDRC, which provide mentoring and funding access for early-stage companies. Tech meetups, hackathons, and events like Dublin Tech Summit further reinforce the city’s status as a dynamic ecosystem for innovation.
Cork: The Rising Contender
Cork has steadily positioned itself as Ireland’s second major tech city. Apple’s European HQ in Hollyhill alone employs more than 6,000 people, while Dell EMC, VMware, Qualcomm, McKesson, and Logitech have expanded their presence in the region.
In 2024, over 3,000 new tech roles were created in Cork, spanning areas such as cybersecurity, systems engineering, and network infrastructure. Salaries for mid-level roles such as DevOps engineers or system administrators typically range from €55,000 to €70,000.
The local talent pipeline is supported by UCC’s Insight Centre for Data Analytics and CIT’s Nimbus Research Centre, both of which specialize in AI, IoT, and smart manufacturing technologies. Cork also benefits from its strategic location with access to the Port of Cork and its growing fintech sector centred around Mahon and the city’s Docklands.
Galway: Specializing in MedTech and AI
Galway is widely recognized for its excellence in MedTech and AI research. In addition to Boston Scientific and Medtronic, Galway is home to Creganna Medical, Aerogen, and several AI startups working on predictive diagnostics and digital twins.
The city’s workforce has grown by more than 4,000 tech professionals over the last two years, with significant roles in biomedical data science, embedded systems, and UX/UI design. Salaries for AI researchers and data scientists range between €60,000 and €75,000, depending on experience.
NUIG’s Insight SFI Research Centre and BioInnovate programme play a pivotal role in aligning education with industry needs. Galway’s Portershed innovation hub and AtlanTec Festival provide networking opportunities and reinforce the region’s status as a collaborative and future-focused tech cluster.
Limerick: Growing Tech Presence
Limerick continues to gain traction with tech companies investing heavily in the area. Dell Technologies maintains a large presence in the Raheen Industrial Estate, alongside Johnson & Johnson, Analog Devices, and WP Engine.
More than 2,500 tech jobs were added in Limerick in 2024 alone. These span across software engineering, semiconductor R&D, and IT support. Salaries for roles such as software developers and systems analysts typically fall within the €50,000–€65,000 range.
Limerick is also home to the National Technology Park and the ENGINE Startup Space, both of which support a growing startup community. The University of Limerick’s Immersive Software Engineering program—backed by industry partners like Stripe and Intercom—aims to prepare students for real-world challenges through paid residencies and mentorship.
A Diversifying Tech Landscape
While Dublin remains Ireland's leading tech hub, its dominance is gradually evolving as other cities grow in scale, specialization, and innovation. Cork is becoming a cybersecurity and cloud engineering stronghold. Galway is cementing itself as a global centre for MedTech and applied AI. Limerick is rapidly carving out a niche in semiconductors and embedded systems.
This decentralization benefits both professionals and companies. For job seekers, it means broader options and competitive salaries across regions. For businesses, it enables access to localized talent pools, lower operational costs, and region-specific innovation.
As we look toward the future, it’s clear that Ireland’s tech sector is no longer defined by a single city—but by a network of thriving, interconnected hubs.