Poland’s median wage 18% below vverage in November 2024

The median gross monthly wage and salary in Poland’s national economy in November 2024 was 18.3% lower than the average wage for the same period, according to new data. The median wage stood at PLN 6,842, meaning half of employees earned less than this amount while the other half earned more.

The figures show gender disparities, with the median wage for men reaching PLN 7,077.60, or PLN 462.14 higher than for women. Across age groups, employees aged 35 to 44 had the highest median wage at PLN 7,119. Looking at company size, the highest median was reported in organisations with 1,000 or more employees, where it amounted to PLN 8,132.27.

The wage distribution also reflected income differences across the population. In November, 10% of employees earned no more than PLN 4,300 (the first decile), while the top 10% earned at least PLN 13,391 (the ninth decile). Gender differences were present in most income brackets, with the largest gap of PLN 2,162.49 recorded in the ninth decile. Only in the lowest decile were male and female earnings equal.

The average gross wage in the national economy was PLN 8,376.58. Men earned an average of PLN 8,797.56, which was 5% higher than the overall average, while women earned an average of PLN 7,940.65, or 94.8% of the overall figure. The highest average wage was seen in the 45–54 age group at PLN 8,819.15. By company size, firms with 1,000 or more employees reported the highest average wage at PLN 9,993.01.

Wages varied significantly by location. When analysed by the employer’s location, the difference between the highest and lowest median wage across municipalities was PLN 8,104.61, with about 16% of municipalities reporting median wages at or below PLN 5,000. When assessed by employees’ place of residence, the difference was smaller, at PLN 4,574.73.

Sectoral differences were also notable. The highest median wage was recorded in the mining and quarrying sector at PLN 13,873.08. In 15 out of 19 sectors analysed, men earned more than women at the median level, with the largest gender gap—37.1%—in mining and quarrying. Conversely, in four sectors, including construction, women earned more, with construction showing the largest positive gap for women at 36.1%.

The mining and quarrying sector also had the highest average wage at PLN 15,778.83. The largest gender gap in average wages occurred in financial and insurance activities, where men earned PLN 4,372.95 more than women. However, in four sectors, women’s average wages exceeded men’s, with construction showing the largest difference in favour of women at PLN 966.38.

The data highlights ongoing disparities in wages across gender, age, sector, company size, and geographic location in Poland’s labour market.

Source: GUS