Irish Construction in June 2026: Where the Jobs, Money and Opportunities Are Right Now

Construction Market Update Ireland – June 2026

If you've spoken to a recruiter recently, noticed more job ads appearing on LinkedIn, or heard about another major project getting the green light, you're not imagining things.

The Irish construction market is showing strong signs of growth as we move into the second half of 2026. Contractors are actively hiring, salaries continue to rise in key disciplines, and significant public and private investment is creating opportunities across the country.

For Site Engineers, Project Managers, Site Managers, Quantity Surveyors, Health & Safety Professionals and M&E Specialists, the question isn't whether opportunities exist it's where the best opportunities are.

So, where are the jobs? Which sectors are paying the most? And what projects will shape the Irish construction industry over the next 12 months?

Let's take a look.

 

Construction Hiring Remains Strong Across Ireland

One of the clearest signs of market confidence is the continued demand for experienced construction professionals.

Despite ongoing challenges around labour shortages, contractors and developers remain under pressure to deliver housing, infrastructure and industrial projects. The result is a highly competitive recruitment market where experienced professionals continue to have options.

The roles currently attracting the most demand include:

 

Site Engineers

Residential and civil engineering projects continue to create opportunities for Site Engineers across Ireland. Engineers with strong setting-out experience and the ability to manage sections of work independently remain particularly sought after.

 

Project Managers

With larger and more complex projects entering construction phases, experienced Project Managers are among the most valuable professionals in the market.

 

Quantity Surveyors

Commercial teams remain stretched across many sectors, resulting in strong demand for both intermediate and senior Quantity Surveyors.

 

Health & Safety Professionals

As project pipelines grow, so too does the need for experienced Health & Safety Advisors, Officers and Managers.

 

Mechanical & Electrical Professionals

The M&E sector continues to outperform many other areas of construction, driven by data centre, pharmaceutical, healthcare and industrial developments.

For many employers, finding the right person remains one of the biggest challenges of 2026.

 

Are Construction Salaries Still Increasing?

The short answer is yes.

While salary growth has stabilised compared to the sharp increases seen over the past few years, employers are still increasing packages to attract and retain experienced staff.

Many professionals are now using multiple offers to negotiate stronger packages, particularly within the residential, infrastructure and M&E sectors.

Some of the strongest salary movement is currently being seen among:

• Senior Engineers
• Project Managers
• Senior Quantity Surveyors
• Mechanical Project Managers
• Electrical Engineers
• Health & Safety Managers

However, salary is no longer the only deciding factor.

Many candidates are prioritising:

• Reduced commuting times
• Better work-life balance
• Long-term project security
• Strong pension contributions
• Healthcare benefits
• Career progression opportunities

Increasingly, construction professionals are asking not just "What does it pay?" but "What does my future look like with this company?"

 

The Sectors Creating The Most Opportunities

Not all sectors are growing at the same pace.

Some areas of the market are generating significantly more opportunities than others.

 

Residential Construction

Housing remains one of Ireland's biggest priorities.

The demand for new homes continues to drive recruitment activity across Dublin and the commuter counties, with contractors actively building teams to support long-term residential developments.

If you're involved in residential construction, the outlook remains positive.

 

Infrastructure

Infrastructure investment is becoming one of the defining stories of Irish construction.

Roads, rail projects, water infrastructure and public transport developments are creating opportunities for professionals with civil engineering backgrounds.

Many industry experts believe this sector will continue to expand significantly over the next decade.

 

Renewable Energy

Ireland's transition towards renewable energy continues to gather pace.

Projects involving battery storage, solar farms, wind energy and grid upgrades are creating demand for specialist engineers and project delivery teams.

 

Pharmaceutical & Industrial Construction

Ireland remains a major hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Large-scale developments in this sector continue to generate opportunities for Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, BIM Specialists, Construction Managers and Project Managers.

It's also one of the strongest sectors when it comes to salary growth and career progression.

 

The Counties Creating The Most Construction Opportunities

While Dublin remains the busiest construction market in the country, opportunities are becoming increasingly spread across Ireland.

 

Dublin

No surprise here.

Dublin continues to lead the way across residential, commercial, infrastructure and data centre developments.

 

Cork

Major pharmaceutical investment, industrial projects and residential growth continue to make Cork one of Ireland's strongest regional markets.

 

Galway

Healthcare, residential and infrastructure projects are creating steady demand across the west.

 

Limerick

Limerick continues to attract investment across multiple sectors, creating strong opportunities for construction professionals.

 

Kildare, Meath & Wicklow

The commuter belt remains one of the busiest areas in the country as developers continue to respond to housing demand outside Dublin.

For professionals looking to reduce commuting times while still working on major projects, these counties are becoming increasingly attractive.

 

The Major Projects Everyone Will Be Talking About

Several large-scale developments are expected to drive hiring well beyond 2026.

MetroLink

One of the most significant infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Ireland.

As construction activity ramps up, demand for experienced professionals is expected to increase substantially.

 

DART+ Expansion

The continued expansion of Ireland's rail network will create opportunities across engineering, project management and construction delivery teams.

 

BusConnects

Major transport upgrades will continue to generate work across multiple disciplines.

 

Large-Scale Housing Developments

Government-backed housing initiatives and major private developments will remain a key source of employment throughout the country.

For many construction professionals, these projects could shape career opportunities for years to come.

 

What Does The Rest Of 2026 Look Like?

The overall outlook remains positive.

There are still challenges facing the industry, including skills shortages, inflationary pressures and project delivery timelines.

However, the volume of work currently planned and underway suggests demand for experienced construction professionals will remain strong.

For those considering a move, the market continues to offer genuine opportunities.

For employers, attracting and retaining talent is likely to remain one of the biggest challenges for the remainder of the year.

 

Final Thoughts

The Irish construction market continues to move in the right direction.

Jobs are being created, salaries are increasing, major projects are progressing and new opportunities are emerging across multiple sectors.

Whether you're a Site Engineer looking for your next challenge, a Project Manager exploring new opportunities or a Quantity Surveyor considering a career move, 2026 remains an excellent time to be working in Irish construction.

The opportunities are there.

The question is: are you positioned to take advantage of them?

 

Looking For Your Next Opportunity?

At Breagh Recruitment, we work with some of Ireland's leading contractors, developers and specialist construction companies.

If you're considering a move in 2026, speak to our team today and discover what's happening in your sector.