Industrial employment declined by 14,600 in the year to September 2003, according to the Central Statistics Office.
There were 241,500 employed in the industrial sector at the end of Q3, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office today.
Those employed in the manufacturing of electrical equipment saw their numbers decrease by 4,800 in the same period.
Average industrial earnings across all sectors has increased by 5.7% to September 2003.
Hourly earnings rose by 4% while average hours worked increased by 1.8% in the same period also.
The average industrial weekly wage was recorded at €537.19 for a 40.2 hour week in September 2003.
Clerical and managerial workers also saw their earnings increase by 5.7% during this time.