What you can earn in property

Estate agent: expect a modest basic salary of between €15,000 and €20,000 although commissions of between 5 and 10 per cent on fees should bring that up substantially. A good agent can be earning €50,000 to €60,000 within two years of starting out

Archaeologist: basic grade level starts out at around €22,000, including expenses, but pay grades increase with experience. After roughly five years you can apply for a licence as a dig director which brings an annual earning potential of €55,000 to €60,000

Interior designers: established designers charge an hourly rate plus a call-out fee to visit a property. Expect to charge between €70 and €120 an hour. Overheads may include a shop premises. Another way of making a living is to charge commission on items sourced. This can sometimes be charged to both the supplier and the client leading to a lucrative 15 to 20 per cent commission

Solicitor: depending on the type of work, the size of the firm and the location (Dublin salaries tend to be higher), a newly-qualified solicitor could expect a starting salary of around €38,000

Surveyor: Starting salary of €27,000, but later income can be considerable depending on individual's ambition