As a new academic year begins, thousands of students across Poland are starting their university studies with hopes that the choices they make now will shape their future careers. In a labour market undergoing rapid change, the field of study remains one of the strongest predictors of starting salaries. Data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) and the nationwide Graduate Tracking System (ELA) show that while the average gross monthly wage in the enterprise sector stood at PLN 8,769.08 in August 2025, graduates of certain programmes can earn well above this benchmark. IT leads the way Information technology remains the most reliable path to higher-than-average wages. According to the ELA database, computer science graduates from leading universities such as the Warsaw University of Technology and the University of Warsaw consistently report salaries above the national average. Independent labour market surveys confirm the trend: entry-level IT professionals often start between PLN 8,000 and PLN 12,000 gross, while experienced specialists, particularly in fields such as cybersecurity, data science, or software engineering, can earn PLN 15,000–29,000 gross depending on the role and region. Engineering and technical sciences Strong technical backgrounds are also valued. Graduates of mining, geology, and computational engineering fields from institutions such as the Silesian University of Technology, AGH University of Science and Technology, and the University of Warsaw rank among those with solid salary prospects. Engineering roles tied to energy, natural resources, and geoinformatics continue to attract employers looking for highly specialised skillsets. Healthcare and medical fields The health sector remains one of the most stable and attractive areas for graduates. While not all positions immediately exceed the national average, nursing, obstetrics, and specialist medical fields often see graduates moving quickly into well-paid and secure roles. Demand for healthcare professionals across Poland and the wider EU ensures that salaries remain competitive. Analytics, finance, and business Another fast-growing category is business and data analytics. Degrees in areas such as data science, business analytics, and financial engineering at institutions including the University of Warsaw and the Warsaw School of Economics have become pathways into jobs that regularly exceed the enterprise-sector average. Business qualifications also stand out: executive MBA programmes at Polish economic universities are associated with some of the highest graduate salaries reported in the ELA system, often more than double the national average. More than just a diploma Labour market experts emphasise that while the choice of degree matters, so does the ability to adapt. “Dynamic technological progress forces employees to continuously upgrade their skills. Flexibility, openness to mobility, and international experience are often as important as the diploma itself,” notes Krzysztof Inglot, founder of Personnel Service, in his recent commentary on graduate outcomes. The message to students is clear: certain fields, especially in IT, engineering, medicine, and analytics, offer the strongest salary prospects today. But long-term success depends on combining formal education with adaptability and ongoing skill development in a labour market that is changing faster than ever. Source: Personal Service