Average salary in Poland compared with Europe – country comparison
Average salaries in Poland are growing faster than the EU average, but in 2024 they still reached only 53.4% of the EU average.
In April 2026, the average gross monthly salary in Poland was PLN 9,651.59, while the median gross salary was PLN 7,695.
Poland’s median salary increased by 6.0% year on year in April 2026, while the average gross salary increased by 5.5%.
According to Eurostat, Poland’s average annual salary was EUR 21,246 in 2024, compared with the EU average of EUR 39,808.
Between 2023 and 2024, Poland’s average annual salary increased by about 16.6%, while the EU average rose by 5.2%.
In 2024, the highest average annual salaries in the EU were recorded in Luxembourg, Denmark and Ireland, and the lowest in Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary.
The national average does not show the full wage picture
The gap between the average and median means both indicators should be considered when assessing salary levels in Poland.
Employment costs depend on the investment profile
Company size, location, industry and demand for specific skills affect actual salary levels and workforce budgets in Poland.
Poland’s labour cost advantage is narrowing
Nominal salaries remain lower than in Western Europe, but faster wage growth increases the importance of future cost projections.
Statistics Poland and Eurostat serve different purposes
Statistics Poland monthly data should not be compared directly with Eurostat annual figures because the methodologies differ.
The average salary in Poland is rising faster than the EU average but remains below it in nominal terms. Eurostat data for 2024 show an average annual salary of EUR 21,246 in Poland, compared with EUR 39,808 across the EU. According to Statistics Poland, the average gross monthly salary reached PLN 9,651.59 in April 2026, while the median stood at PLN 7,695. These differences matter for investment planning and employment cost forecasts.
In this article:
What is the average salary in Poland in 2026?
According to Statistics Poland (GUS), figures published on 7 October 2026 show that the average gross monthly salary in April 2026 reached PLN 9,651.59 (approximately EUR 2,209), up 5.5% year on year.
The median gross salary was PLN 7,695 (approximately EUR 1,761), an increase of 6.0%. The average exceeded the median by PLN 1,956.59, or approximately 25.4%.
Company size also influences earnings:
- Companies with at least 1,000 employees: median salary of PLN 9,098.87.
- Businesses with up to nine people working: median salary of PLN 4,806, equivalent to the minimum wage.
EUR conversions use the NBP exchange rate of 22 October 2026: EUR 1 = PLN 4.3685.
How does Poland compare with other EU countries?
Eurostat’s latest comprehensive figures cover 2024. The average annual full-time adjusted salary across the EU reached EUR 39,808, increasing by 5.2% compared with 2023.
Luxembourg, Denmark and Ireland recorded the highest salaries, while Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary had the lowest.
Ranking of average salaries across EU countries
| Country | Average annual salary (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Luxembourg | 82,969 |
| Denmark | 71,565 |
| Ireland | 61,051 |
| Belgium | 59,632 |
| Austria | 58,600 |
| Germany | 53,791 |
| Finland | 49,428 |
| Sweden | 46,525 |
| France | 43,790 |
| Slovenia | 35,133 |
| Spain | 33,700 |
| Italy | 33,523 |
| Malta | 33,499 |
| Lithuania | 29,104 |
| Cyprus | 27,611 |
| Estonia | 26,546 |
| Portugal | 24,818 |
| Czechia | 23,998 |
| Croatia | 23,446 |
| Latvia | 22,262 |
| Poland | 21,246 |
| Romania | 21,108 |
| Slovakia | 20,287 |
| Hungary | 18,461 |
| Greece | 17,954 |
| Bulgaria | 15,387 |
| EU average | 39,808 |
Source: Eurostat, Average full-time adjusted salary per employee, 2024. The comparison covers 26 EU countries. The Netherlands was excluded due to methodological differences.
Germany’s average salary was approximately 2.5 times higher than Poland’s. These nominal figures do not account for purchasing power, price levels or national tax systems.
How quickly are salaries growing in Poland?
Poland’s average annual salary increased from EUR 18,226 in 2023 to EUR 21,246 in 2024, representing 16.6% growth.
Over the same period, the EU average rose by 5.2%, from EUR 37,840 to EUR 39,808.
Poland consequently reached 53.4% of the EU average, compared with 48.2% a year earlier.
However, exchange rate movements may partly explain growth expressed in euros. This increase should not be treated as an equivalent improvement in real purchasing power.
What do salary differences mean for investors?
Poland continues to offer lower average nominal salaries than Germany, France and Austria. However, rising wages affect its relative labour cost advantage.
Businesses planning investments should assess:
- local salary levels and skilled labour availability,
- industry-specific and position-specific pay rates,
- social security contributions and employee benefits,
- projected increases in total employment costs.
Statistics Poland and Eurostat provide a starting point for workforce budgeting, but detailed employment cost comparisons remain necessary for specific industries and locations.
Their indicators also use different methodologies: monthly GUS figures should not be compared directly with Eurostat’s annual data.
Average salary in Poland compared with Europe – country comparison
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