Salaries in Poland: where employees received the biggest increase

In which industries did salaries grow the fastest?

According to the research of the analytical center of the international company Gremi Personal, salaries in the logistics sector have increased most significantly over the past year. The average wage here increased by 8.1% and reached 9522 zlotys (close $2400) per month.

The second position was taken production of transport equipment, where the average salary increased by 7.1% — to 10,482 zlotys.

Industries with the highest rates of wage growth also included light industry (+6%, to 6602 zlotys), hotel and restaurant business (+5.9%, to 6783 zlotys), construction (+5.4%, to 8913 zlotys), mechanical engineering (+5.3%, to 9873 zlotys), retail trade (+5.3%, to 6973 злотих) and processing industry (+5.1%, to 8723 zlotys).

Wages grew the slowest in food industry — only on 3.1%, to 7704 zlotys. In the furniture industry, the increase was 4.3% (to 6877 zlotys), in the automotive industry — 4.4% (to 10,487 zlotys), and in metallurgy — 4.7% (to 9322 zlotys).

Why do salaries rise unevenly?

Founder Gremi Personal Evgeny Kirichenko notes that the Polish labor market is gradually moving away from the general "wage race". Today, companies review the level of remuneration much more selectively, focusing primarily on the financial results of a specific industry.

Where production, sales and demand for workers are growing, businesses will continue to compete for staff by raising wages, he said. In contrast, businesses operating in less active sectors of the economy are increasingly focusing on cost control and are more cautious about salary revisions.

Which industries have become drivers of salary increases

According to the data Main Statistical Office of Poland (GUS), in May industrial production in the country increased by 4.1% in annual terms, however, the dynamics differed significantly depending on the sector.

The most actively developed logistics. According to information Colliers, in the first quarter the demand for warehouse space increased by more than 40%, which stimulated companies to hire staff more actively and increase wages.

High rates of growth were also demonstrated defense industry and production of transport equipment. In May, sales in this segment increased by 60.5%, relating to the expansion of defense orders and funding within the program SAFE, which provides for Poland to 43.7 billion euros support This significantly increased the demand for workers and increased competition between employers.

In return food industry after a reduction in sales in April showed only a slight recovery — 0.8% in May Due to weak dynamics, manufacturers are not yet ready to significantly increase wages.

IN furniture store and light industry the situation also remains difficult: sales of furniture decreased by 7.1%, and products of light industry — on 13.7%, which restrains opportunities for salary increases.

Simultaneously automotive industry, despite the decline in sales on 4.4%, continues to maintain one of the highest pay levels as businesses seek to retain skilled workers.

What to expect by the end of the year

Analysts note that the general growth of wages in Poland is gradually slowing down. If in 2024-2025 the labor market showed higher rates of income growth, now the average salary in the business sector is 9173 zlotysthat on 5.8% more than a year earlier.

Experts predict that by the end of the year there will not be a massive salary increase. Polish employers will continue to revise the level of wages on a point-by-point basis, focusing primarily on the shortage of personnel, the economic results of enterprises and the situation in certain industries. This approach indicates a gradual transition of the labor market to a more balanced policy of wage formation.