In Poland, workers earn less than the official average salary - GUS

In Poland, the actual earnings of most employees are noticeably lower than the officially announced average salary. According to the data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS), in May 2025, the median monthly salary in the national economy was 7082 zlotys, which is 18.4% less than the average figure. This is reported by the publication In Poland.

How much Poles actually earn

In May, the average salary in the country reached 8678.90 zlotys, while half of the employees earned no more than 7082 zlotys. The difference between these figures was 1596.90 zlotys. For comparison, in April, the median salary was 7262 zlotys, which was 20.6% less than the average - 9148.11 zlotys.

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Statistics also showed significant differences depending on gender, age, and the size of the enterprise:

• men earn an average of 7299.68 zlotys, women - 6897.36 zlotys;

• the highest median salary is recorded among workers aged 35-44 - 7397.55 zlotys;

• the lowest - among youth under 24 years, only 5731 zlotys;

• employees of large companies (1000+ employees) have an average of 8279.38 zlotys;

• the least is paid at small enterprises with up to 9 employees - 4666 zlotys.

Why the average salary does not reflect the real picture

Experts emphasize that the average salary always exceeds the median because it takes into account the incomes of a few workers with high salaries. In GUS statistics, data from enterprises with at least nine employees is used; therefore, some small employers and the self-employed do not fall into it. This creates a distorted picture of the real income level for the majority of the population.