Average Salary in Poland: Top Job Roles & Industries

If you wish to study abroad, then choosing a destination that provides ample global career opportunities with impressive salaries is a must. Poland is one of the biggest hubs for business around the world and had a GDP of $808.6 billion in 2023, as per the World Bank. On average, the country offered 97,000 vacant positions in the fourth quarter of 2023, highlighting its bustling economy. It is important to learn more about the average salaries in Poland if you wish to embark on a career here. Let’s further discuss this below. 

Overview of Job Market in Poland

The GDP of Poland is anticipated to increase by 2.3% in 2024, with enhanced wages and lower inflation. It is expected that the country will maintain this momentum, boosting its growth by 
3.4 % in 2025. Agriculture offers employment to approximately 8% of the total population in the country while the industry segment employs 31% of the overall workforce. The key sectors in Poland include machine manufacturing, environment, telecommunications, construction, IT, transport, and industrial food processing. Some traditional sectors include shipbuilding, automobiles, steel, and electrical appliances. The tertiary segment employs 59% of the workforce, comprising categories like financial services, IT, logistics, and tourism. The banking sector is another leading employer comprising 30 commercial banks, 511 cooperative banks, and 37 credit institution branches.

Based on data by Eurostat, Poland was the second country in the EU after Malta in December 2023, with the lowest unemployment rates for the whole region. This was 2.7% as compared to 6.4% in the eurozone. Poland benefits from its qualified and industrious workforce and its steady inflow of foreign direct investments, which increased by a handsome $4.4 billion in February 2024. 

Factors Influencing Salary in Poland

Here are some of the factors that influence the average salary in Poland.

Industry Demand:  The demand for skilled professionals in a particular sector automatically influences salaries, with employers eager to attract the best talent to take care of various functions. For instance, as per Statista, between 2022 and 2023 in Poland, sectors like finance and banking and retail and B2C sales had the highest job openings, with 11% and 10% of total vacancies, respectively. These sectors were followed by IT (10%), FMCG manufacturing (6%), and engineering and construction (6%).

Job Role, Qualifications, and Experience:  The position of work influences the average salary considerably. For example, a junior web developer can start from PLN 5,000 per month in Poland and earn up to PLN 10,000 per month in a senior role. Salaries increase after gaining experience in the chosen industry and are also influenced by the employee’s qualifications and skill sets.

Market and Economy Patterns:  Economic growth and market trends also have a role in determining the average salaries of employees across industries. For instance, Poland’s economy is expected to grow by 2.7% in 2024. This will lead to more favorable market trends in terms of higher labor demand and better salary growth. 
Government Regulations: The average salary in Poland is also influenced by the government's minimum wage guidelines, which currently stand at PLN 28.1 per hour.

Employer Size- The size of the employer may also determine the average salary, for instance if it is a corporate/MNC/large-sized enterprise or a smaller or mid-sized entity. 

Average Salary Range by Industry

Here is a closer look at the annual average salaries in Poland for several major industries. 

Source: Payscale(As of April 2024)

Average Salary Range by Job Role 

The median average salary in Poland is PLN 100,000 per year. Here is an idea of the compensation offered for various job roles in the country: 

Source: Payscale(As of April 2024)

Salary Comparison with Cost of Living 

Living in Poland is affordable compared to other European countries. Let us look at the average cost of living here.

The affordability index is that an average individual will require approximately PLN 2,898 per month plus rent, while a family of four people will require around PLN 9,553 per month without rentals. 

This means that an individual earning an average salary of PLN 100,000 per year will be able to comfortably arrange for PLN 7-8,000 per month (including rentals and other expenses) while still managing to save some money for the future. However, those with families will have to earn more than the average yearly wage. 

Conclusion 

It is important to thoroughly research the average salaries in your industry and for your job position if you are looking to build a career in Poland. This will help you suitably negotiate salary packages with potential employers in order to ensure future financial stability and job satisfaction.