The average industrial earnings rose by 4.5 per cent in the year to September, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The latest figures show industrial hourly earnings rose by 4.9 per cent while average hours worked decreased by 0.2 per cent for the same period.
Average weekly earnings of all employees (industrial, clerical and managerial) rose by 4.9 per cent in the year to September 2004.
The CSO said the rise consists of increases of 4.5 per cent for industrial employees and 4.6 per cent for clerical and managerial employees combined.
Separate figures showed industrial employment was down by 7,500 in year to September 2004.
It said industrial employment was 239,900 in September 2004, a decrease of 7,500 from September 2003.
Between June and September 2004 there was a seasonally adjusted decrease of 5,800 in industrial employment.