Average pay in Poland reaches 9,266 zł, but real pay rises are the lowest in years

On 20 October 2026 Statistics Poland (GUS) reported that average gross pay in the enterprise sector in September was 9,266.48 zł. That is 5.9% more than a year earlier and 0.1% more than in August (9,259.54 zł). Economists polled by PAP Biznes had expected slightly more — 6.1%. In August growth was 5.6%.

Employment in companies continues to fall. It stood at 6,360,400 full-time jobs, 0.8% fewer than a year earlier. In real terms, after inflation, pay rose by only about 1.7% (2.1% in August). According to an economist quoted by money.pl, it is the weakest result in more than three years. Manufacturing, IT and real estate were weaker; retail and accommodation did better.

Pekao economists expect pay growth to stay around 6%. Some analysts do not expect the NBP to change interest rates this year (reference rate 3.75%). They name oil prices and a weaker złoty as risks — these are forecasts, not certainties.

Editorial comment

For Poles in the UK this is an important benchmark. The pay gap between Poland and the UK is slowly narrowing, but real pay rises in Poland have slowed. Those thinking of returning should look not at the national average but at specific offers in their region and sector. Remember too that the enterprise-sector average is not the same as a “typical wage” — most people earn less than the average.

What to do

• If you are planning to return to Poland, compare a net offer with the cost of living in that city, not with the national average.
• Sending money to family? Follow the pound-to-złoty rate and compare transfer costs.
• Polish businesses with staff in Poland: plan your 2027 pay budget assuming growth of about 6%.
• Check the source data on the GUS website — media sometimes round figures differently.

What do you think?

Do you feel this in your business? Tell us in the comments below the article. We will cover the most interesting views in future editions.

Sources

• money.pl (citing GUS and PAP): 9,266.48 zł in September
• Interia Biznes: new GUS earnings data
• Stockwatch: pay +5.9%, employment −0.8%

© THE BUSINESS TIME / Argonauts Media Group Limited. Original editorial content. Copying, downloading and distribution without the publisher’s written consent are prohibited. Illustrative photo: Pexels.