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Working 10–12 hours: why higher salaries for local parts of Ukrainians in Poland

Чому українці в Польщі отримують вищі заробітки при тривалому робочому дні? Photo: InPoland

Ukrainian men aged 25–34 in Poland had a median salary of about 6800 zlotys net. This is 1500 zlotys more than the figure for all employees of this age. At the same time, salaries of Ukrainians in Poland significantly depend on the sector and conditions of employment. InPoland reports on this .

The publication refers to the October report by Deloitte for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. For all employees in Poland aged 25–34, the median income was approximately 5300 zlotys in hand.

The median means that half of the employees earned less than the specified amount, and half earned more. The figures presented relate to a specific age and gender group, so they cannot be transferred to all Ukrainians working in Poland.

Why Ukrainian men can earn more than Poles

One explanation is the duration of working hours. Gremi Personal representative Anna Jobolda noted that young Ukrainians are often willing to work 10–12 hours or go on shifts during weekends. This increases the monthly payment even without a higher hourly rate.

According to her, Polish workers rarely choose such a schedule. Thus, the difference of 1500 zlotys may reflect the additional workload. For a correct comparison, it is necessary to consider the number of hours, bonuses, and the nature of work.

The place of employment also matters. According to explanations provided in the publication, Ukrainians seek jobs in large cities and industrial zones, where there is demand for physical labor. The choice of professions for employment in Poland also affects the available level of pay.

Where Polish employers lack workers

EWL Group representative Marcin Szymanski explained that in large urban centers, companies have a harder time finding personnel for heavy physical work. Part of such vacancies is filled by foreigners, including Ukrainians.

According to GUS data cited by InPoland, at the end of the first quarter of 2026, about 1.2 million foreigners were working in Poland. Of these, approximately 784 thousand were Ukrainian citizens.

At the same time, the higher monthly income of a specific group does not eliminate other problems in the labor market. For many, the search for job according to qualifications remains relevant, and the offer should be evaluated together with the schedule, workload, and the amount of pay per hour.