Top 5 Highest Paying Professions Revealed as Leaving Cert Results Drop

URGENT UPDATE: As over 65,000 students across Ireland receive their Leaving Certificate results today, the pressure to choose lucrative career paths intensifies. New data reveals the top five highest-paying Irish professions, with professors, doctors, and chief financial officers leading the pack.

According to statistics from Indeed, professors earn an average salary of €129,976 annually, while doctors follow closely behind at €119,139. Chief financial officers can expect an average paycheck of €94,492 per year. Meanwhile, chartered accountants in Leinster are also enjoying high earnings, averaging €118,578 in 2023.

The surge in interest for high-paying professions comes as students face a competitive landscape for university placements. Minister Helen McEntee announced on NewsTalk that additional medicine places have been allocated this year. However, a lottery system will still determine who secures these coveted spots. Students must meet strict points and HPAT criteria, or risk being left without a place in medical school.

For those missing out on medicine, options may include studying abroad in countries like Bulgaria or Poland to secure a position in medical programs.

Gemma Lawlor, a career consultant from Tyndall College in Carlow, urges students to consider more than just salary when applying for courses. “There has to be a balance,” she said. “There’s no point in going after a job unless you actually have the aptitude and the love and the passion and the determination to do well in it.”

Interestingly, the demand for university places has skyrocketed, with applications for arts and humanities courses plummeting by 89%. In contrast, applications for dentistry have surged by 41%, with qualified dentists earning an average salary of €97,153.

This year’s influx of students is driven by a need for stable employment to support families, leading many to prioritize career-focused paths. The competitive job market means aspiring professionals must act quickly to secure their futures.

As students make crucial decisions that will shape their careers, the shifting landscape of job opportunities and salary expectations is more important than ever. Keep an eye on developments as we continue to track how these trends evolve in the coming weeks.