A new survey published by the Small Firms Association (SFA) shows that wage inflation climbed by by 6 per cent last year.
With an 11 per cent increase, craft workers were the largest beneficiaries. Salaries for those employed in Information Technology increased by the same amount, although this was a smaller than 2001.
Seventy eight per cent of 12,130 workers questioned earned over €20,000 and 14 per cent over €35,000 per annum. Lowest recorded earnings were €14,500. Small firms were defined as companies employing 50 or less.
Wage inflation was highest in the craft sector (11 per cent) and information technology (11 per cent).
Bar and restaurant staff, cleaners and cooks reported 10.9 per cent pay increases.
Pay for retail workers rose 7.6 per cent, engineers and technicians 5 per cent, clerical 4.8 per cent. Supervisors 5.2 per cent and drivers 4.25 per cent. Production workers received wage increases of 4.25 per cent.