Poland is lacking 200 thousand truck drivers: what salaries are being paid

The transport sector in Poland is facing an escalating staffing crisis. The country is short of up to 200 thousand truck drivers, despite rising wages. The average salary for professional drivers reached 9 thousand zlotys net in 2025, but this has not stopped the outflow of personnel. This is reported by InPoland.

According to the Truckers Life Fund report, work experience hardly affects income levels. Only drivers with the first year of experience earn on average less - about 8 thousand zlotys net.

Salaries of drivers in Poland: what statistics show

The study also notes stable forms of employment but a low level of income satisfaction. Most drivers work under traditional employment contracts, but expectations regarding wages are often not met.

• 94% of drivers have employment contracts

• 4% work as self-employed

• 2% - on contracts of mandate

If you are interested in working in Poland, we offer you to check out 350,000 job vacancies on the Layboard portal.

Staffing crisis in freight transportation: reasons

More than 60% of respondents stated that they are dissatisfied with their earnings, and 59% did not receive a raise in 2025. Another 15% of drivers now earn less than last year. The situation is complicated by the age of the workforce: the average driver in Poland is over 50 years old, and more than half of the employees regularly consider changing jobs or leaving the profession.

The report authors emphasize that the problem is not limited to wages. Key factors include a shortage of safe parking, sanitary infrastructure, and complex work organization, which often do not directly depend on transport companies.

Let us remind you that Poland is abolishing indefinite driver licenses.