Is the salary of PLN 5,000 Is PLN a lot on hand? There can only be one answer to this question: it depends on where and for whom.
On Monday, in Business Insider Polska, we showed what the threshold for entering the middle class looks like in each of the nearly 2.5 thousand Polish municipalities. It turns out that “being rich” means one thing in Warsaw and another thing in a small commune in the so-called province. You can read more about this here.
Previously, we also estimated what they looked like income 1 percent highest-earning Poles.
Now we have gone a step further. We use specific data to show not only how much the top 1% earns. Poles, but we also estimated the thresholds for 5, 10, 20, 40, 50 or 70 percent.
Thanks to this, everyone can easily place themselves on such a ladder and check whether they earn good or bad compared to other Poles.
The truth about earnings in Poland
Our estimates are based on a detailed analysis of Poles' tax returns. How do we access them? We don't have it directly, but the Ministry of Finance comes to help.
In a comprehensive study by ministry analyst Paweł Chrostek, we can check what Poles' earnings really look like. And these are the real ones, which can be found in the annual PIT form.
The thing is that developing such data takes a lot of time. The report published at the end of 2025 therefore concerns the situation in 2022. The amounts are therefore quite up-to-date. Below we present what was current in 2022.
Income ladder of Poles in 2022
| Ministry of Finance
However, in order to better reflect reality, we decided to do so recalculate them taking into account the average salary increase in 2022-2025. Of course, this is a very simplified method, because it is known that not all salaries increase equally. For example, the minimum wage has been growing exceptionally quickly in recent years (it increased by more than half in three years).
However, data from the Central Statistical Office show that wages in the national economy have increased by 12.8% on average annually since 2022. in 2023, 14.3 percent in 2024 and 11 percent in 2025 (the latter value is an estimate from the Budget Act, there cannot be data for 2025 yet because the year has not ended). We therefore assume that from 2022, Poles' wages have increased by an average of 43.1%. This is the cumulative increase over three years.
See also: People in their 30s, 40s and 50s should have such savings [KWOTY]
Annual earnings of Poles
Unlike our recent analyses, we do not present data on a monthly basis, but on an annual basis. Reason? Monthly payments may vary. Especially if someone earns so much that at the end of the year it is already subject to a rate of 32%. because he falls into the so-called second tax bracket.
Recent data from the Ministry of Finance show that in 2024, approximately 7 percent. Poles exceeded the tax threshold, which was 120,000. PLN per year. That's just over 140,000. PLN gross salary.
This year there will certainly be even more such people, because earnings are increasing and the threshold remains unchanged.
But let's get back to the methodology. The graphic below by Michał Rogalski presents the gross annual remuneration. Moreover, they apply only to full-time employees. Therefore, we do not include entrepreneurs, retirees or people working under civil law contracts, such as mandate contracts.
The income ladder of Poles
| Michał Rogalski/Onet / Onet
Here's 1 percent. highest earners
What does the above graphic show? Going from the bottom, it can be concluded that 5 percent earns less than 6 thousand PLN per year. These are, of course, people who start working during the year, work casually or on a small part-time basis. 20 percent of us have an income of no more than PLN 36.8 thousand. PLN per year. 40 percent — 62.7 thousand zloty. And so on.
1 percent the highest-paid full-time employees have a salary of nearly PLN 400,000. PLN gross. This means 33 thousand per month. PLN gross, i.e. approx. 20 thousand PLN per hand.
It can boast of this result approx. 130 thousand people throughout Poland, i.e. an average of 60 employees per commune. Of course, in some local governments, e.g. in large cities, there will be hundreds or even thousands of such people, while in smaller towns there will not be a single person with such a salary.
Our estimates show that many people still work irregularly or part-time. Over 30 percent of us earn less than the minimum wagewhich in 2025 amounts to PLN 4,666 gross per month.
It is worth emphasizing, however, that in addition to people working part-time, there will also be those who earn the minimum wage but, for example, have taken sick leave. Then their salary was automatically reduced by 80%. sickness benefit.
Half of Poles earn according to our estimates more than 75 thousand PLN per year. This almost coincides with what the Central Statistical Office publishes in its monthly reports. According to statisticians, the median salary in Poland ranges between PLN 6,500 and PLN 7,000. PLN gross per month.
See also: Salaries of Poles without secrets. See what amount separates the lowest and highest earners
The national average (in November it was just over PLN 9,000) is a level of earnings that can reach almost 40%. of us.
If you earn PLN 10,000 PLN gross per month (PLN 120,000 gross per year), then you automatically earn more than three-quarters of all employees in Poland.
Author: Jakub Ceglarz, journalist of Business Insider Polska
Graphic cooperation: Michał Rogalski, Onet journalist
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
