Average weekly earnings in the public sector rose by 4.5 per cent in the year to June, according to the Central Statistics Office.
A total of 240,700 people were employed in the public sector (excluding health) in June this year, compared to 235,900 in June 2002. Employment in the education sector rose by 4,100 and employment in regional bodies saw an increase of 600.
The average weekly wage of a public sector employee in June was €730.92, compared to a figure of €717.65 in March.
Prison officers again top the table with average weekly earnings of €1,119.28. Garda wages come a close second, at an average of €973.67. Salaries in the education sector were €753.10 per week, on average, in June, while those in the semi-state sector earned an average of €808.14.
The figures will fuel further debate on value for money from benchmarking payments and on the relative rise in public sector pay compared to that of other workers.