The report shows that Poles are open to compromise on salary, but under certain conditions. Almost half of the respondents (46%) declared that they would agree to a salary reduction if the difference in earnings was small. In turn, 32 percent respondents strongly reject this possibility, and 10 percent has no opinion on this subject. Only 12 percent respondents would be ready for a lower salary in exchange for lighter duties or better working conditions.
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“We recommend a salary adjustment”
Differences in willingness to work for lower wages depend on the industry. Most people willing to make such concessions work in trade and e-commerce – 17%. In transport and logistics this percentage is 16 percent, in construction 14 percent and in production and industry 12 percent.
Krzysztof Inglot, founder of Personnel Service, notes that although few Poles declare their willingness to work for less money, under appropriate conditions the number of such people could increase. According to the expert, companies should invest in improving working conditions, including ergonomics, flexible schedules and work-life balance. Inglot emphasizes that facilities alone cannot compensate for harder work. “We recommend companies to adjust salaries, introduce efficiency bonuses or actually relieve workload through automation, micro-breaks or activity rotation,” he notes.
6.5 thousand PLN net fair remuneration
In terms of financial expectations, half of Poles indicate that fair remuneration for manual work is PLN 6.5 thousand. PLN net. Another 24 percent respondents consider salaries ranging from PLN 5.5 thousand to be appropriate. up to 6.49 thousand PLN, and 19 percent indicates amounts between PLN 4.5 thousand and 5.49 thousand zloty. The highest expectations, above 8.5 thousand. PLN net, has only 10 percent. respondents.
Differences in financial expectations are visible depending on place of residence and form of employment. For example, for 10 percent rural residents earn PLN 3.5-4.49 thousand. PLN are fair, while in large cities only 4% think so. respondents. In turn, the highest financial expectations are more common among residents of the largest agglomerations (14%) than in small towns (8%).
The median in the private sector is below PLN 5,000. zloty
“Meanwhile, the Central Statistical Office data from May 2025 indicate that the median salary in the national economy is PLN 7.08 thousand gross, i.e. approximately PLN 5.28 thousand net. In the private sector, this amount is even lower – PLN 6.46 thousand gross, which translates into less than PLN 4.85 thousand net,” Inglot sums up.
The survey was conducted on a representative sample of 1,090 people between October 30 and November 3, 2025. Respondents represented various age groups, gender and size of the place of residence.
