Female contractors earn a higher daily rate than male counterparts, research shows

Olivia Kelleher

Female contractors in Ireland earn a higher average daily rate than their male counterparts, according to a new study from the Ireland’s Project Economy survey conducted by researchers in Trinity Business School.

The research, conducted by Trinity Business School in association with Contracting PLUS, reveals that the average daily rate for female contractors now stands at €565, compared to €548 for men. This compares to an average daily rate of €471 for females and €510 for males in 2021.

However, while women now command higher daily rates, they still work fewer days on average than men, resulting in lower annual earning.

The annual Ireland’s Project Economy survey of over 1,500 independent professionals, contractors, freelancers and the solo self-employed was conducted in December of last year. The longitudinal study was conducted by Professors Andrew Burke and Na Fu of Trinity Business School.

While a gender pay gap of 3.6 per cent still exists in the contracting sector it is decreasing every year since the survey began five years ago.

It is also significantly lower than the gender pay gap in the Irish labour market which is 6.9 per cent according to latest data from the CSO.

Professor Na Fu, Professor in Human Resource Management, at Trinity Business School, said that for the first time in the five-year history of the Ireland’s Project Economy survey they have found that female contractors earn higher average daily rate than male counterparts.

“The narrowing gender pay gap in contracting suggests that people are finally being paid for their skills and expertise, regardless of gender.”

Meanwhile, women now represent 27 per cent of professional contractors. 81 percent of female contractors chose self-employment voluntarily, compared to 76 per cent of men.

84 per cent of women report overall life satisfaction, reinforcing the positive impact of contracting on work-life balance.

Age-based pay disparities still persist, with women aged 30-49 earning more than men, while younger and older female contractors still lag behind in pay.

Women remain optimistic about the future of contracting, with a confidence index score of +27 for the sector over the next three to five years and +13 for the Irish economy.

These findings are part of an advance release of data from the 2025 Irish Project Economy Report, which will be fully published in the late spring.