Welcome to the rise of the project economy. While the world argues over full-time vs. freelance, Ireland is quietly (but confidently) building a workforce that says: why not both?
We got some really good data from a contracting event at LinkedIn. Shoutout to Jennifer Doyle, Commercial Director, Contracting Plus.
Once seen as the risky route, contracting has well and truly grown up. In 2025, the average Irish contractor earns €114,656 annually - a solid 61% more than their permanent counterparts. In sectors like tech and finance, day rates can soar to €695. Not bad for a gig, eh? That said, 2025 also saw a slight dip in earnings (down 7% from 2024) - mainly due to an influx of younger professionals entering the space. It's competitive, but still well worth it.
They're not just the ones fixing your Wi-Fi. 97% hold a third-level qualification, and 78% chose this lifestyle voluntarily. It's not a backup plan, it's the plan. Most work in high-impact industries like ICT, pharma, engineering, and finance. Many are career veterans who’ve turned their expertise into flexibility and higher pay.
Why are more companies hiring contractors? Flexibility, faster delivery, fresh skills, and zero long-term commitment. Contractors bring agility, plug skill gaps, and help get projects over the line without bloating headcount. It's like dating, but for hiring. Bonus? 64% of companies say contractors also help transfer skills to employees and speed up innovation.
36% of contractors are under 40 (up from 24% in 2023), but it turns out age = euros. Older contractors earn more, thanks to their expertise and track record. Unlike traditional employment, the project economy doesn’t penalise experience - in fact, it pays for it. Contractors aged 60+ earn the highest day rates and report the lowest burnout and highest life satisfaction (94%).
For the first time, women in contracting are out-earning men on day rates (€565 vs. €548). Annual earnings are still slightly behind because women tend to work fewer days, but the gap is closing. Flexibility and autonomy are major draws - 81% of women chose contracting voluntarily. And 84% of them say they’re satisfied with life overall.
For many, contracting isn’t just about money - it’s about momentum. It’s a way to dodge the politics, red tape, and rigid structures of traditional employment. 69% cite job autonomy as a key reason for going solo. 42% say it helps boost their pension, and 23% turned to it after redundancy. 11% use it to return to work after a break.
Contractors are embracing AI tools like ChatGPT and CoPilot, not running from them. They know the drill: the robot won’t take your job if you upskill first. Top contractor goals for 2025? Learning AI (top skill target), leadership (ranked second), and project management (third). AI is mostly being used for content creation (63%), research (58%), coding (40%), and admin support (36%). But contractors still believe in human creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
Despite all the growth, the system hasn’t quite caught up. Conflicting rulings from Irish government bodies make defining 'self-employed' unnecessarily murky. 57% believe government pressure to reclassify freelancers as employees is hurting the sector. And don’t get us started on tax treatment. Unlike employees, contractors often can’t claim basic business expenses. Not exactly a level playing field.
84% of contractors are satisfied with their work and life. They like their pay (84% satisfaction), flexibility (86%), and not having to pretend to enjoy office cake for someone's birthday. Satisfaction levels increase with age, and burnout/loneliness rates are low. Only 13% report burnout and 22% report loneliness. Even with fluctuating day rates, most say the benefits outweigh the downsides.
Contractors are optimistic. 88% believe the availability of contract work will grow or remain stable over the next year. 91% expect to work as much or more. 96% expect their day rate to stay the same or increase. Recruiters agree, 71% of them expect to place more contractors in 2025. Clients? They’re finally catching on to the strategic value of independent pros.
Ireland’s project economy isn’t a trend. It’s the new infrastructure of work. Whether you're a contractor, a company, or just contractor-curious, now's the time to get on board. And if you're navigating this world of flexible workforces? Naoi's here to help you do it better - with less stress, more clarity, and zero jargon.
Because work shouldn't be confusing. It should work for you.
