Average salary in Poland and Germany – wage comparison for investors
Average salaries in Poland remain significantly lower than in Germany, although the nominal wage gap is gradually narrowing.
According to Eurostat, average annual salaries in 2024 were EUR 21,246 in Poland and EUR 53,791 in Germany.
In April 2026, Poland’s average gross monthly salary was PLN 9,651.59, while the median gross salary was PLN 7,695.
According to Destatis, Germany’s average gross monthly salary for full-time employees was EUR 4,851 in 2025, excluding special payments.
Between 2023 and 2024, Eurostat figures show salary growth of 16.6% in Poland and 5.5% in Germany.
In 2024, Germany’s average annual salary was 2.53 times the Polish level, with a nominal difference of EUR 32,545.
Average salary does not show total labour costs
Employer contributions, employment arrangements and additional benefits also affect the final cost of employing staff.
Median earnings better reflect typical salaries
Exceptionally high salaries increase the arithmetic mean, so the average alone does not represent the middle of the wage distribution.
National salary data is not directly comparable
Figures from Statistics Poland (GUS) and Destatis use methodologies different from Eurostat’s cross-country salary indicator.
Lower Polish wages affect investment decisions
Business location analysis also depends on skilled labour availability, local salary benchmarks, productivity and total employer costs.
The average salary in Poland remains significantly lower than in Germany. According to comparable Eurostat data for 2024, average annual earnings were EUR 21,246 in Poland and EUR 53,791 in Germany. Although the nominal wage gap is narrowing, employers must also consider median salaries, social security contributions and differences in statistical methodology when comparing employment costs.
In this article:
What is the average salary in Poland in 2026?
According to Statistics Poland (GUS), data published on 7 October 2026 shows that the average gross monthly salary reached PLN 9,651.59 (approximately EUR 2,189) in April 2026, up 5.5% year on year.
The median gross salary was PLN 7,695 (approximately EUR 1,745), increasing by 6.0%. The average exceeded the median by 25.4%, reflecting the influence of higher earnings.
Salary levels also varied by company size:
- Companies with at least 1,000 employees: median PLN 9,098.87.
- Businesses with up to nine people working: median PLN 4,806, equal to the minimum wage.
EUR conversions use the National Bank of Poland (NBP) exchange rate of 28 October 2026 (EUR 1 = PLN 4.4090).
What is the average salary in Germany?
According to Destatis, Germany’s average gross monthly salary for full-time employees was EUR 4,851 in 2025, excluding special payments, an increase of approximately 3.4% from 2024.
In April 2025, average monthly earnings were EUR 4,784, while the median was EUR 4,123. Both figures exclude special payments.
The median annual gross salary for 2025, including special payments, reached EUR 54,066.
Annual earnings varied substantially:
- The lowest-paid 10% earned no more than EUR 33,828.
- The highest-paid 10% earned at least EUR 100,719.
- The top 1% earned at least EUR 219,110.
How do salaries in Poland and Germany compare?
Eurostat provides comparable figures using average annual full-time adjusted salaries.
| Indicator | Poland | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Average annual salary, 2024 | EUR 21,246 | EUR 53,791 |
| Average annual salary, 2023 | EUR 18,226 | EUR 50,996 |
| Growth, 2023–2024 | 16.6% | 5.5% |
In 2024, German salaries were approximately 2.53 times higher than Polish salaries.
The nominal annual difference decreased from EUR 32,770 in 2023 to EUR 32,545 in 2024.
However, Eurostat’s methodology differs from national monthly statistics. Exchange rates and inflation also affect how wage growth should be interpreted.
What do salary differences mean for employers and investors?
Lower nominal salaries in Poland influence location decisions for manufacturers, logistics operators and shared services centres.
However, gross salaries do not represent total employment costs. Businesses should also evaluate:
- Employer social security contributions.
- Local salary benchmarks for specific positions.
- Availability of qualified employees.
- Labour productivity and additional benefits.
Poland’s faster wage growth means investment budgets should account for potential future salary increases.
Although Poland retains a nominal wage advantage over Germany, a reliable comparison requires detailed analysis of total employer costs rather than national averages alone.
Average salary in Poland and Germany – wage comparison for investors.
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