If you are considering moving to Poland, this post will help you to understand the country’s economy. Poland is a full EU member, however, it is not part of the Euro single currency area, and it has one of the fastest-growing economies in the European continent.
There are certain key sectors and industries you should look into. A majority of the workforce is in the services sector. The country’s major industries, including food processing, agriculture, iron & steel, chemical, machine building, glass, coal mining, textiles, and shipbuilding also provide a wide variety of job opportunities.
THE MINIMUM SALARY IN POLAND
Planning to leave for work in Poland, you should first get acquainted with the basic figures to plan the budget and understand what you can earn. Despite the fact that prices for everything in Poland are only growing, the salary is evenly increasing. On average, since 2010, wages have doubled in the country.
What is the minimum wage in Poland in 2020?
First, you need to remember the difference between gross salary and net. Gross is the total income, the net is the income earned after the deduction of all taxes.
The minimum wage in Poland in 2020 is 2,600 PLN gross (≈655$) or 1,900 PLN net (≈500$). Estimated at about 17 zł / hour and, of course, depends on the working conditions and actual time.
Despite the fact that low-skilled foreigners without proper knowledge of the local language most often can count on the minimum established salary, as a rule, their income is much higher due to longer working days, tight schedules, night shifts & overtime. Such income may double & rise to the level of the average salary in Poland.
Depending on the location, the average income in the country in 2020 is kept at around 4000 Polish zlotych (≈1000$). And it continues to grow. This is due to a stable situation in the labor market, as well as an increase in the welfare of the country’s inhabitants.
The level of income depends on the city. So in Warsaw, the average salary is 5,000 zlotys, and in Krakow, it is 4,500. The smaller the city, the less you can earn there. But also to spend … In Warsaw, high prices for everything and life are comparatively more expensive.
The experience level is the most important factor in determining salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher the wage.
Generally speaking, employees having experience from two to five years earn on average 32% more than freshers and juniors across all industries and disciplines.
Polish workers are entitled to at least 20 or 26 days of paid annual leave, depending on their seniority and longevity with the company. Employees are also entitled to up to 52 weeks in connection with maternity leave. Polish workers typically work 40 hours a week or 8 hours a day.
TAXATION
It is almost impossible to find conditions for illegal work: no one wants to risk reputation and the opportunity to receive a fine of a large amount for illegal employment.
Therefore, all employees pay taxes: both citizens and labor immigrants. The tax process takes place automatically, it is monitored by the employer and the tax authorities.
From the monthly income delay:
- pension insurance – 9%;
- rental insurance – 1.5%;
- hospital insurance – 2.5%;
- medical insurance – 9%;
- income tax – 18%.
Therefore, about 27% of the money goes to the state. Conventionally, the employee will receive 2920 (≈750$) from the gross income of 4,000 Polish zlotych on his hands (net).
SALARY BY INDUSTRY
| Profession (field of activity) | Avg. Salary ~ (zlot.) | Avg. Salary~ USD |
|---|---|---|
| After tax deduction. Base salary non incl. overtime, night shifts, extra working days, rewards & bonuses | ||
| Seamstress | 2600-3000 | 650-750 |
| Handyman | 2700-3300 | 700-850 |
| Nanny | 2700-3300 | 700-850 |
| Medical Assistant | 2800-3500 | 700-900 |
| Welder | 3100-3500 | 800-900 |
| Cook | 3000-3300 | 750-850 |
| Builder | 3000-3500 | 750-900 |
| Electrician | 3000-3500 | 750-900 |
| Carpenter | 2900-3400 | 700-850 |
| Seller | 2600-3400 | 650-850 |
SALARIES IN DIFFERENT REGIONS
The highest wages can normally be found in big cities and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the city of Warsaw and the surrounding region offer the highest average income in Poland. A useful rule of thumb is that the east side of Poland earns less than the west side. The below illustration clearly shows this difference in average wages between the different regions of Poland.
Conclusion
The salary level in Poland, compared to other EU countries, is decent and continues to grow. Even at the start, you can count on the average income of 17 zł per hour. Other criteria for the assessment of salaries are the city of work, the sphere of employment, the schedule, and the number of working hours.
For the rest – analyze and consider the average possible income for yourself. Good luck to you at work in Poland.
