Despite dynamic wage increases and record-low unemployment rates in Poland, many employees still feel dissatisfied with the level of their pay. Half of Polish workers (50.9%) believe they earn too little, and only 46.3% consider their salary fair compared to what their colleagues in similar positions receive. These are the findings of the latest international survey conducted by SD Worx among 5,625 HR managers and 16,000 employees from 16 European countries.
Although the recent Randstad study “Workmonitor Pulse 2025” shows that 55% of workers in Poland would prefer less stressful jobs over higher pay, this data does not mean that Polish employees have no complaints about their salaries. The newest “HR & Payroll Pulse Europe 2025” study by SD Worx reveals that half of Polish employees (50.9%) and European employees (49%) feel they are paid too little for the work they do. Only 46.3% of Polish workers (and 42.2% of Europeans) believe their salary is fair compared to what their peers receive in similar roles within their organizations. The dissatisfaction with this situation is reflected in the fact that nearly half of employed Poles (44.2%) are actively seeking new jobs.
Rising Salaries Do Not Meet Expectations
According to the Central Statistical Office (GUS), the average gross monthly wage in the enterprise sector in April 2025 was 9,045.11 PLN, representing a 9.3% increase compared to April 2024. However, despite this growth, many workers still feel that their wages do not adequately reflect their commitment and scope of responsibilities.
“We observe that rising wages do not always translate into employee satisfaction. Many expect not only higher pay but also greater transparency in compensation policies and appreciation for their contributions to company development. Employers should pay attention to these aspects to effectively attract and retain talent, as well as improve communication about the total remuneration package, which often exceeds the amount shown on the payslip,” explains Paulina Zasempa, People Country Lead at SD Worx Poland.
Good Communication Can Reduce Employee Turnover
Today, companies face not only growing pay expectations but also high employee turnover and difficulties retaining talent. More than half of European companies (52.8%) recognize this problem – these firms fear they will increasingly struggle with labor shortages in the coming years. Meanwhile, one in three European employees (32.6%) notice that their teams suffer from high attrition rates. In response to rising employee expectations, 58.3% of Polish businesses surveyed by SD Worx admit they are investing in greater pay transparency, and 52% are working to eliminate pay inequalities within their organizations.
“It is very encouraging that more than half of Polish companies are already engaged in addressing pay inequalities. This is not only the right direction but also a distinguishing feature of every modern employer. At a time of high employee migration rates and many talents expressing a desire to change jobs in surveys, ensuring fair, equal, and transparent compensation is fundamental to creating an inclusive and desirable workplace,” comments Paulina Zasempa.
