How Much Is the Minimum and Average Salary in Poland
The average salary in Poland, in July of 2023, is 1,806 USD per month (7485 PLN monthly).
This is a level of income comparable to Chile or Uruguay. However, because Poland has relatively low inequality, you will find more poor (and super-rich) people in those South American countries than in Poland.
Yes, Poland, the same nation whose economy is expanding so quickly that it is causing a reverse-immigration, or the bringing back of citizens who long ago left the nation.
One thing that is very characteristic of Poland and other Central/Eastern European countries is the brutal difference – both in living costs and salaries – between the capitals and other cities. Warsaw can be nearly 100% more expensive than smaller cities, with residents having better incomes, but paying more for rent and transportation. The higher cost of living is one of the main reasons that the Polish capital is not among the best cities to live in Poland.
Average Salaries in Poland in 2023 by Sector (by the Central Statistical Office)
There are also differences between professions and activities, but most sectors are around the norm. Below we list the average salaries for the main segments of the country by 2023, according to GUS (Statistical Office of the Polish Government):
- Enterprise sector: 7,335 PLN (1,810 USD)
- Industry: 7,337 PLN (1,811 USD)
- Industrial processing: 7,056 PLN (1,740 USD)
- Construction: 6,949 PLN (1,710 USD)
- Trade, repair of motor vehicles: 6,686 PLN (1,650 USD)
- Transport and storage: 7,053 PLN (1,740 USD)
- Accommodation and gastronomy: 5,314 PLN (1,260 USD)
- Information and communication: 12,247 PLN (2,820 USD)
- Real estate market services: 7,426 PLN (1,830 USD)
- Administration and support activities: 5,631 PLN (1,340 USD)
The IT industry is a clear outlier, making Poland one of Europe’s most appealing hubs for IT professionals. There is also the advantage that many of the job openings in this sector are in cities like Katowice and Wroclaw, where living costs are significantly lower than in Warsaw.
Check also: Study in Poland: An Increasingly Popular Idea
Average Salary in Poland by Region (by GUS)
Talking about the salary differences between regions – called Województw (the Polish equivalent to province) – we can see some outliers. Below is a list of the average salaries per area (with the main city of each in parenthesis) in June of 2023:
- Mazowieckie (Warsaw) – 8,475 PLN (US$2070)
- Dolnośląskie (Wrocław) – 7,754 PLN (US$1880)
- Małopolskie (Kraków) – 7,646 PLN (US$1860)
- Śląskie (Katowice) – 7,564 PLN (US$1850)
- Pomorskie (Gdańsk) – 7,512 PLN (US$1840)
- Zachodniopomorskie (Szczecin) – 6,783 PLN (US$1670)
- Wielkopolskie (Poznań) – 6,574 PLN (US$1630)
- Łódzkie (Łódź) – 6,683 PLN (US$1650)
- Lubuskie (Zielona Góra) – 6,563 PLN (US$1580)
- Kujawsko-pomorskie (Bydgoszcz) – 6,679 PLN (US$1650)
- Opolskie (Opole) – 6,661 PLN (US$1640)
- Lubelskie (Lublin) – 6,026 PLN (US$1420)
- Podlaskie (Białystok) – 6,222 PLN (US$1520)
- Warmińsko-mazurskie (Olsztyn) – 5,969 PLN (US$1410)
- Świętokrzyskie (Kielce) – 5,966 PLN (US$1410)
- Podkarpackie (Rzeszów) – 5,939 PLN (US$1410)
As previously mentioned, the Mazowieckie region has higher salaries but also higher costs. While the average salary in the region of Warsaw is 48.3% higher than in the area of Rzeszów, the price per square meter to rent an apartment in Warsaw is a whopping 71% higher. So be aware of those costs difference when analyzing if your salary or earnings are good enough.
What is the Minimum Wage in Poland in 2023?
You have two types of minimal salary in Poland: monthly and by the hour. Full-term contracts follow the first while part-time contracts use the second. More about the contract types you will find below.
In 2021, the monthly minimum salary in Poland is 2800 PLN
What is the Minimum Salary In Poland Per Hour?
- The Hourly Minimal Salary in Poland in 2021 is 18.3 PLN
Salary increases in Poland
Both the minimal salary and the average salary are sharply increasing, although not in equal proportions.
In 10 years the minimal monthly salary nearly doubled, going from 1317zl in 2010 to 2600zl in 2020. The current government has plans to not only keep the rising pace but even accelerate it, forecasting to reach 4000zl by 2023[1]. A 53% increase in only 3 years, or a 327% raise in one and a half-decade.
Impressive, right?
But two other numbers raise some questions about the minimal wage boom.
The national average salary in the same 10-year period increased “only” 67% (from 3224,98 to 5382 zlotys monthly), below the near 100% growth of the minimal rate[2].
The other problem is growing prices, for a country that until recently had near-zero inflation. In the second half of 2020, Poland had an annualized inflation of 3.9%. In the European Union, only Hungary has more than that.
Net Salary vs. Gross Salary in Poland
One important consideration is that the earnings specified above are gross numbers. In Poland, as in the majority of European countries, there are taxes and contributions retained from your wage. After all discounts, the amount you receive in your bank account is the net salary.
The value discounted from the gross salary depends on things like marital status, place of residence, student status, and a few others. The most important element in the type of your work contract.
Types of employment contracts in Poland
The 3 most used forms of contract in Poland are:
1 – Normal Employment Contract (Umowa o pracę)
This contract is regulated by Labour Law and entitles the employee to maternity leave, paid holidays, and other social benefits. It also is considered by banks as stable income for credit applications. For employers, however, this is the most expensive contract. For this reason, is a standard practice for people to be hired for a probation period of a few months when the employer (or the employee) has more flexibility to terminate the contract if the cooperation is not suitable for both parties.
2 – Umowa Zlecenie
This is a contract to hire someone for the performance of a specific task, without a regular schedule. For example, a handyman that performs occasional reparations in an office building or language teachers that receive per lecture. This contract is not regulated by labor law, which makes it cheaper than a normal Umowa o pracę, but still must respect the limits of the minimum salary and pay some of the social contributions.
3 – Umowa o Dzieło
As the Umowa Zlecenie, this type is regulated by civil law instead of labor law. The biggest difference is that the Umowa o Dzieło is not a contract to perform a specific task but to conclude it. Therefore, the remuneration specified in the contract is not limited by the minimum salary. It is the cheapest form of contract for both employer and employee (who have a higher net, or liquid, salary due to smaller discounts). While attractive, this type of agreement is not allowed for recurring functions but only for specified tasks.
Gross and net salary in Poland by different contracts:
Disclaimer: Many other factors influence your net salary, like the place where you live, the number of kids, or voluntary contributions. To list all would result in an article beyond the maximum number of characters possible, so be aware that your contract values may differ from the examples below. This is not legal advice.
Example 1: Gross (or Brutto) salary of 4 500,00 PLN per month. Adults with more than 26 years old – Individuals with less than 26 years are exempt from some taxes.
Umowa o pracę
Netto (or liquid) salary: 3 260,58 PLN
Cost for the employer: 5 421,60 PLN
Umowa Zlecenie
Netto salary: 3 832,00 PLN
Cost for the employer: 4 500,00 PLN
Umowa o Dzieło
Netto salary: 3 888,00 PLN
Total cost for the employer: 4 500,00 PLN
Example 2: Gross salary of 9000 zlotys per month. Adult with more than 26 years old.
Umowa o pracę
Netto (or liquid) salary: 6 435,15 PLN
Total cost for the employer: 10 843,20 PLN
Umowa Zlecenie
Netto salary: 7 663,00 PLN
Total cost for the employer: 9 000,00 PLN
Umowa o Dzieło
Netto salary: 7 776,00 PLN
Total cost for the employer: 9 000,00 PLN
Example 3: Gross salary of 12000 zlotys per month. Adult with more than 26 years old.
Umowa o pracę
Netto (or liquid) salary: 8 550,87 PLN
Total cost for the employer: 14 457,60 PLN
Umowa Zlecenie
Netto salary: 10 218,00 PLN
Total cost for the employer: 12 000,00 PLN
Umowa o Dzieło
Netto salary: 10 368,00 PLN
Total cost for the employer: 12 000,00 PLN
Average Salary in Poland for Specific Professions
Data from Salary Explorer, Economic Research Institute, and Glassdoor.
Poland’s average doctor’s salary
Trying to decide if you should relocate to Poland to become a doctor?
In Poland, a Doctor / Physician normally takes roughly 17,800 PLN per month. Salaries vary from 6,530 PLN (lowest average) to 30,000 PLN (highest average) (highest average, the actual maximum salary is higher).
This is the average monthly payment, which includes housing, transportation, and other perks. Salaries for various Doctor / Physician occupations vary greatly.
Average salary of a warehouse operator in Poland
In Poland, the average salary for a Warehouse Worker is PLN 4150 per month and PLN 24 per hour. A Warehouse Worker’s average annual compensation ranges between PLN 40,975 and PLN 59,232.
The Average Salary in Poland for a Software Engineer
According to Payscale, the salaries for a software engineer in Poland vary drastically by the experience level:
- An entry-level Software Developer with less than one year of experience can expect to earn a total remuneration of PLN 47,951 (tips, bonus, and overtime pay).
- A Software Developer in their early career with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total pay of PLN 92,045.
- A Software Developer in their mid-career with 5-9 years of experience makes an average total salary of PLN 120,460.
- An experienced Software Developer with 10-19 years of experience makes PLN 149,566 in total remuneration.
Accountant’s Average Income in Poland
Just like with the profession of software engineer mentioned above, and also according to Payscale, the salaries for a software engineer in Poland also have considerable variations due to experience grades:
- An early career Accountant with 1-4 years of experience receives an average total remuneration (tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of PLN 58,828.
- A mid-career Accountant with 5-9 years of experience gets an average total salary of PLN 77,511.
Average Salary in Poland: Conclusions
In 2023, the average salary in Poland stands at 7485 Zlotys per month, which is the equivalent to 1,806 USD per month.
This rate is comparable to or higher than countries like Chile and Uruguay but with less income inequality. The wage landscape in Poland is diverse, with significant differences between sectors and regions. For instance, the IT industry offers competitive salaries, making Poland an attractive hub for IT professionals.
Warsaw, the capital, has the highest average salary but also comes with a higher cost of living. This makes other cities like Katowice and Wroclaw appealing options for job seekers. The minimum wage has seen a sharp increase over the years, nearly doubling from 2010 to 2023, with plans to reach 4000 PLN in the near future.
However, this growth in minimum wage has outpaced the national average salary increase, which rose by only 67% in a 10-year period. This raises questions about the sustainability of such rapid wage growth, especially in the face of rising inflation rates.
It’s essential to note that the figures mentioned are gross salaries. The net salary you take home will depend on various factors like your marital status, place of residence, and type of employment contract. Poland offers different types of contracts, each with its own set of rules and mandatory deductions.
In summary, Poland’s job market offers a range of salaries influenced by factors like industry, location, and experience. While the minimum wage is rising fast, it’s crucial to consider the cost of living and other deductions to get a complete picture of your potential earnings.
In addition, the average income in Poland (and living costs) vary greatly across the country. If you want to have a complete outlook of the prices and costs of different lifestyles in the Polish capital, Warsaw, check this article about the Cost of Living in Warsaw. If you are a person of polish ancestry, some expenses can be smaller, as we explained in a previous article about the Karta Polaka.
We are always open to your suggestions for the next article, so feel free to give your opinion in the comment section!
Read also: The Best Place to Visit in Europe Each Month of the Year
Author: Levi Borba, former RM specialist for the world´s greatest airline, creator of the channel The Expat, and author of the books Moving Out, Living Abroad and Keeping Your Sanity and Budget Travelers, Digital Nomads & Expats: The Ultimate Guide. You can check some of his articles here.
[1] Source: https://www.bankier.pl/wiadomosc/Placa-minimalna-w-Polsce-wedlug-PiS-7-wykresow-ktore-warto-zobaczyc-7734936.html
[2] Source: https://nowosci.com.pl/srednia-pensja-w-polsce-w-2020-roku-o-ile-wzrosnie-najnowsze-dane-gus-czeka-nas-wzrost-pensji-wynagrodzenie-idzie-w-gore/ar/c1-14364933
