How much will people earn in Poland in 2026? Salary guide — minimum, average and industry rates

Are you wondering how much people will earn in Poland in 2026? In this article, we explain: what the minimum wage is in Poland, what the average earnings are in the country, in which industries salaries are higher, and in which they are lower.

Minimum wage in Poland – 2026

From 1 January 2026, the gross minimum wage in Poland will be PLN 4,806 per month, which, after taxes and contributions, amounts to approximately PLN 3,500–3,600 net for a full-time employee.

The minimum hourly rate is PLN 31.40 gross per hour.

This is the lowest wage guaranteed by the state — it means that no one legally employed under an employment contract can earn less than this amount.

For many people who are new to Poland or working in low-paid jobs, this salary is a realistic starting point for budgeting their living, housing and transport expenses.

Average earnings in Poland – how much do people earn on average?

Statistical data show that the average salary in the Polish economy is significantly higher than the minimum wage. The latest available data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) and various analyses indicate that:

• The average gross monthly salary in Poland is approximately PLN 8,700–8,900 (estimates for 2026).
• The median salary — i.e. the level at which half of people earn less and half earn more — is around PLN 7,000–7,300 gross (data from 2025 indicating a continuation of trends).

Therefore, the average employee in Poland earns significantly more than the national minimum wage — but salaries vary depending on the sector, city, experience and qualifications.

How much do people earn in different industries?

Below you will find approximate average gross salary rates in popular sectors on the Polish labour market (2026):

Industries with higher earnings

IT/technology: PLN 14,000–15,000

Finance and banking: PLN 12,000–13,500

Healthcare: PLN 11,500–12,500

Legal services: PLN 12,000–13,000

Engineering and technology: PLN 10,500–11,500

Moderate-income industries

Manufacturing/industry: PLN 8,500–9,500

Edukacja / nauczanie: 7 000–8 000 zł

Retail: PLN 6,500–7,000

Catering/hospitality PLN 6,500–7,000

Note: actual earnings may vary depending on the region — for example, in large cities such as Warsaw, Kraków or Wrocław, salaries are often higher than in smaller towns and rural areas.

How does experience affect salaries?

Salaries increase with experience and specialisation:

• A novice employee usually starts at around PLN 5,500–7,000 gross.
• middle-level employee – on average approx. PLN 8,000–9,000 gross.
• specialist/senior – PLN 10,000+.
• managers – up to PLN 15,000+ and more, depending on the sector.

What do these figures mean "in practice"?

• The minimum wage provides a basis for living (daily life, rent, food, transport).
• The average salary is the level achieved by many people with qualifications.
• Specialist industries often offer much higher rates — particularly IT, finance and medicine.

Summary

In 2026, the earnings situation in Poland looks as follows:

• The minimum gross salary is PLN 4,806, which is approximately PLN 3,500–3,600 net per month.
• Average salaries are significantly higher — often around PLN 8,000–9,000 gross or more, depending on the industry and experience.
• Specialist industries such as IT and finance offer salaries of over PLN 12,000 gross.

If you want to plan your life and work in Poland well, it is worth knowing these figures, as they give a realistic picture of how much you can earn at different stages of your career.