Average wages in Poland have crossed a historic threshold – what do the latest figures show?
The latest wage data for 2025 confirms that Poland’s labour market has reached another milestone. According to Statistics Poland (GUS – Główny Urząd Statystyczny), the average gross salary in the national economy in 2025 amounted to 8,903.56 PLN, while in the fourth quarter of 2025 it increased even further to 9,197.79 PLN gross.
This means that the national average salary has now firmly exceeded the 9,000 PLN gross level on a quarterly basis — something that seemed unrealistic just a few years ago. Nominal wages continue to grow at a strong pace. However, for people considering moving to Poland for work, the most important question is: does this reflect a real improvement in living standards?
What is the current average salary in Poland?
In 2025, the average gross monthly salary in the entire national economy reached 8,903.56 PLN, and in the fourth quarter it rose to 9,197.79 PLN gross. These figures apply to the whole economy, not only to large companies or specific sectors.
Importantly, Statistics Poland also reported that the real wage growth in 2025 compared to 2024 was 5.5%. “Real growth” means that after adjusting for inflation, the purchasing power of wages actually increased.
For foreign workers planning to work in Poland, this is a significant indicator. It shows that salaries are not only increasing in numbers, but that workers can genuinely afford more goods and services than in the previous year.
Official wage statistics are published by Statistics Poland in their regular reports on average wages and salary dynamics.
Is this real wage growth or just inflation?
In recent years, high inflation meant that wage increases did not always result in real financial improvement. Even though salaries were rising, the cost of food, energy, housing, and services was increasing just as fast — or faster.
In 2025, the situation changed. Since real wages increased by 5.5%, this means that salary growth outpaced inflation. In practical terms, this translates into stronger purchasing power for households.
For foreign workers considering temporary or long-term employment in Poland, this suggests a more stable financial environment compared to previous years. While it is important to remember that the national average salary does not mean that everyone earns exactly this amount, the overall trend indicates genuine improvement in income levels.
Poland’s labour market is therefore not only growing in terms of job opportunities, but also showing signs of real wage development — an important factor for anyone planning to relocate for work.
Who Is Driving Wage Growth? Sectors with the Strongest Salary Increases
Although the average gross salary in Poland reached 8,903.56 PLN in 2025, wage growth is not evenly distributed across all sectors of the economy. Data published by Statistics Poland (GUS) clearly shows significant differences between industries — both in terms of salary levels and the pace of growth.
The strongest wage dynamics can be observed in sectors where labour shortages persist and competition for workers remains high. In other areas of the economy, wage pressure is weaker and increases are more moderate.
For foreign workers considering employment in Poland, understanding these sectoral differences is essential when choosing where to apply.
IT, Manufacturing and Logistics – Leaders in Salary Growth
For several years, sectors such as information technology, manufacturing, and logistics have consistently offered salaries above the national average.
In the “Information and Communication” sector, average wages significantly exceed the overall national average. This is largely due to high specialization requirements and a limited supply of qualified professionals.
However, strong wage growth is not limited to IT. Manufacturing and logistics have also seen significant increases. The expansion of e-commerce, continued industrial investment, and pressure for fast delivery times have created strong competition for workers such as:
- machine operators
- warehouse workers
- forklift operators
- logistics coordinators
- supply chain specialists
In regions with a high concentration of production plants and logistics centres, wages often grow faster than the national average.
Importantly, current wage growth in these sectors is driven not only by inflation, but by a real shortage of workers. For foreign employees — especially those open to working in production or warehouse environments — this creates tangible employment opportunities.
Retail and Services – Do All Sectors Benefit Equally?
Not all industries experience wage growth at the same pace. Retail trade, gastronomy, and certain local service sectors generally see slower increases.
In many of these areas, wages are close to the minimum wage or only slightly above it. Salary growth in these sectors is often driven mainly by increases in the statutory minimum wage rather than by strong market competition for employees.
This means that although the national average salary exceeds 8,900 PLN gross, many workers in service sectors earn significantly less than that figure.
For foreign workers planning temporary or entry-level jobs, it is important to understand that the national average salary reflects the entire economy — including high-paying industries. Actual earnings depend strongly on sector, region, experience, and job type.
The record-level average wage in Poland shows a positive overall trend, but it also highlights structural differences between industries. For some workers, financial improvement is clearly visible. For others, changes are more gradual.
Median vs Average Salary – Do Most People in Poland Really Earn “Record” Wages?
The record average gross salary in Poland — 8,903.56 PLN in 2025 — sounds impressive. However, the national average alone does not answer the key question for someone planning to move to Poland: how much does a typical worker actually earn?
To understand the real structure of wages in Poland, it is important to distinguish between the average salary and the median salary. The average shows the overall level of wages in the economy, but it does not explain how those wages are distributed among workers. The median, on the other hand, represents the income of the “middle” worker — the person who reflects a more typical earning situation.
For foreign workers considering employment in Poland, this distinction is crucial when evaluating realistic salary expectations.
Why the National Average Does Not Show the Full Picture
The average salary is calculated by adding up all wages and dividing the total by the number of employees. The problem with this method is that it is highly sensitive to extremely high salaries.
High earnings in sectors such as management, IT, or finance can significantly raise the national average, even if most employees earn considerably less.
Data published by Statistics Poland (GUS) shows that wage differences in Poland remain noticeable. A relatively small group of high earners lifts the average upward, while a large share of workers earn below that level.
In practice, more than half of employees earn less than the official national average published in GUS reports. This means that when you read about “record-breaking average wages,” it does not automatically mean that record-level salaries are common across all professions.
For migrants planning temporary or entry-level jobs, relying only on the average salary figure may create unrealistic expectations.
How Much Does a “Typical Worker” Earn?
To understand what most people actually earn, it is better to look at the median salary. The median divides all workers into two equal groups — half earn less, and half earn more.
According to the latest data from Statistics Poland, the median gross salary in the national economy in August 2025 was 7,280 PLN gross. This means that half of employees earned no more than this amount, even though the national average was significantly higher.
Other recent data confirms a similar level. For example, in July 2025 the median gross salary amounted to 7,246.64 PLN, while the average salary was approximately 18–22% higher than the median.
The difference between the median and the average highlights wage inequality in the labour market. High salaries in a limited number of professions “pull up” the average, while most workers earn closer to the median level.
For foreign workers considering employment in Poland — especially in production, logistics, hospitality or entry-level positions — the median salary is often a more realistic reference point than the national average.
Understanding this difference helps avoid unrealistic expectations and allows for better financial planning before arriving in Poland.
Are Record Salaries a Long-Term Trend? Outlook for 2026 and Beyond
After the record wage levels seen in 2025, the key question is no longer whether salaries in Poland are growing — but whether this pace of growth will continue in 2026 and the following years.
Forecasts from public institutions suggest a clear direction: wages are expected to continue rising, but at a slower pace than during the peak period of strong wage pressure. According to projections from the European Commission, nominal compensation per employee is expected to gradually slow from around 8.6% growth in 2025 toward approximately 6% by 2027, while the labour market remains relatively tight.
For foreign workers considering relocation, this indicates that Poland’s wage growth is likely to remain positive, though less dynamic than in recent high-inflation years.
Economic Slowdown and the Labour Market
The main risk to maintaining very high (double-digit) wage increases is the general economic cycle. When companies observe slower demand or weaker economic growth, they become more cautious about increasing fixed costs, including salaries.
This does not mean wages will suddenly fall. Instead, it suggests a cooling of growth dynamics:
- fewer aggressive across-the-board pay increases
- more selective wage growth in shortage occupations
- stronger focus on cost control
Institutional forecasts indicate that with stable employment and relatively low unemployment, wage growth will likely moderate gradually. The intense wage pressure seen during peak inflation and acute labour shortages is expected to ease.
For foreign workers, this means that Poland’s labour market should remain stable, but salary increases may become more targeted toward specific professions and sectors experiencing workforce shortages.
Minimum Wage as a Driver of Average Salary Growth
One of the key structural factors influencing salary statistics in Poland is the minimum wage. In sectors with a large share of lower-paid workers — such as retail, hospitality, basic services, and parts of manufacturing — increases in the statutory minimum wage can significantly influence overall wage levels.
Even when salary growth slows in higher-paying sectors, minimum wage increases create a “floor effect” that pushes part of the wage distribution upward and indirectly affects average salary figures.
From 1 January 2026, the government-set minimum monthly wage in Poland is scheduled to reach 4,806 PLN gross. This means that in many companies, wage growth in 2026 will be partially driven by regulation rather than purely by market competition.
As a result, the national average salary may continue to increase, but the structure of growth will change. Instead of record jumps across the entire economy, more adjustments will occur at the lower end of the wage scale, ensuring compliance with the new minimum threshold.
For foreign workers planning employment in Poland, this suggests continued upward wage movement — especially in entry-level and service positions — though without the exceptional growth rates seen during the peak wage pressure period.
What Do Record Wages Mean for Manual and Temporary Workers?
The record average gross salary in Poland — 8,903.56 PLN in 2025 — does not mean that every manual, warehouse, or seasonal worker earns close to 9,000 PLN per month. For people working in production, logistics, warehouses, or seasonal jobs, the most important factors are usually hourly rates, shift bonuses, and the availability of overtime rather than the national average.
However, the overall wage growth in 2025 — including a real increase of 5.5% year-on-year according to data from Statistics Poland (GUS) — shows that wage pressure has also reached lower-skilled professions. Employers are increasingly competing for workers, even in roles that do not require advanced qualifications.
That said, salary levels and growth rates strongly depend on region and industry.
Are Salary Increases Visible in Job Offers?
In job offers for warehouse workers, production operators, or seasonal employees, wage increases are visible — but not equally across the country.
In regions with a high concentration of industrial plants and logistics centres — such as Lower Silesia, Greater Poland, or the Mazowieckie region — wages tend to be higher than in areas with fewer investments and lower labour demand.
In practice, the difference for the same position can reach several PLN per hour depending on location.
Additional factors that influence total earnings include:
- Shift systems (night shifts usually pay more)
- Attendance bonuses
- Production bonuses
- Overtime opportunities
The record national average wage influences the labour market overall, but actual salary ranges depend mainly on local labour shortages and competition between employers. In sectors where companies struggle to find enough workers, wages tend to increase faster.
For foreign workers willing to relocate to regions with stronger labour demand, this can significantly improve earning potential.
How to Negotiate Salary During Wage Growth Periods
Periods of wage growth create better opportunities to negotiate higher pay or improved working conditions — even in manual or seasonal jobs.
However, successful negotiation should be based on market data and realistic arguments.
Before accepting a job offer, it is advisable to:
- Check current hourly rates in the region for the same position
- Compare offers from several employers
- Ask about bonuses and additional benefits, not only the base rate
- Highlight experience, reliability, and willingness to work night shifts or overtime
When wages grow faster than inflation, workers generally have stronger negotiating power than in previous years. However, mobility remains crucial. Workers who are willing to change region or employer often obtain higher rates than those who limit themselves to a very local labour market.
The record wage figures published by Statistics Poland do not automatically increase everyone’s salary. But they do create a stronger negotiation environment and wider choice of job offers — particularly in production and logistics sectors, where labour shortages remain significant.
Summary – Record Salaries Are Real, But Not for Everyone
The data is clear: in 2025, the average gross salary in Poland reached a historic level of 8,903.56 PLN, and real wage growth amounted to 5.5% year-on-year. This means that purchasing power genuinely increased — wages grew faster than inflation.
However, record-level statistics do not affect the entire labour market equally.
The strongest salary growth can be observed in shortage occupations and highly specialized sectors. At the same time, industries based largely on manual or lower-skilled work are growing more slowly, and wage increases in those sectors are often driven mainly by adjustments to the statutory minimum wage.
The difference between the average and the median salary clearly shows that most employees still earn less than the national average suggests.
For foreign workers considering employment in Poland, this means:
- There are real wage growth opportunities in certain sectors.
- Regional differences matter.
- Negotiation power has improved compared to previous years.
- However, actual earnings depend strongly on industry, location, and experience.
For companies, rising wages mean increasing labour costs and the need for more strategic compensation policies. For workers, especially in production, logistics, and seasonal jobs, the current labour market offers more flexibility and options than a few years ago — but realistic expectations remain essential.
Poland’s record wage figures reflect real economic progress. Still, their impact varies depending on sector, region, and individual position in the labour market.