In Poland, Ukrainians Earn Up to 85% of Polish Wages with Highest Pay in Construction and Logistics

Earnings of Ukrainians Working in Poland

According to Radiotrek — Світ: Since the full-scale war began, Ukrainians employed in Poland have, in some age groups and industries, earned wages that rival or even surpass those of Polish workers. In 2025, their median salary reached approximately 85% of the median wage across the Polish economy. The sectors where Ukrainians see the highest earnings include logistics, trade, hospitality, and construction. This wage advantage partly stems from longer working hours and a higher concentration of Ukrainians living in major urban centers.

According to research published by the Polish business outlet Puls Biznesu, referencing a Deloitte study commissioned by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Ukrainian men aged 25-34 earned a median net monthly income of about 6,800 PLN-significantly higher than the roughly 5,300 PLN earned by their Polish counterparts in the same age bracket. Men aged 45-54 among Ukrainians also have wages that are either comparable or slightly higher than Polish workers, although the wage gap narrows with age.

Data on Polish salaries were sourced from Poland's Central Statistical Office, while information on Ukrainians was gathered through surveys of refugees who arrived following Russia's 2022 invasion. Despite their strong earnings in several fields, Ukrainians generally earn less than Poles in education, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors.

Industries Offering the Best Pay

Ukrainians report higher median wages particularly in:

• logistics
• trade
• hospitality
• construction

For instance, in construction, Ukrainians’ median earnings reach approximately 160% of the median wage for all workers. Many Ukrainians often work overtime, night shifts, and weekends, and some juggle multiple jobs to boost their income.

“Working twelve hours instead of eight can increase monthly earnings by several tens of percent,” said Anna Dzhobolda from Gremi Personal.

Research by Gremi Personal indicates that 85% of Ukrainians in Poland feel satisfied with their pay relative to their skills, and 70% manage to save money each month. Currently, 38% of Ukrainians holding PESEL UKR perform elementary-level jobs, compared to 9% of Polish workers and 24% of Ukrainians with other residence permits. Since 2022, the share of PESEL UKR holders in elementary jobs has decreased by 9.5 percentage points.

Overall, Ukrainian workers in Poland are making notable progress in earnings within specific industries, even though their wages remain lower than Polish workers in certain fields.

The upward trend in Ukrainian salaries reflects their growing integration into the Polish labor market and their ability to earn competitive wages despite ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Their role is crucial for the Polish economy, filling significant labor shortages across multiple sectors. Nevertheless, challenges persist for Ukrainians in sectors where their earnings lag behind those of Polish employees. These wage patterns may influence future employment and residency decisions among Ukrainian migrants in Poland.