Seasonal work in Poland may now be more profitable than going abroad for short-term work. According to data from Grupa Progres, current rates range from PLN 32 to as much as PLN 52 gross per hour. Companies competing for workers are also offering additional benefits, including attendance bonuses, free accommodation and meals, transport subsidies and flexible schedules. This year’s season also brings an important change for people employed under civil-law contracts: work performed under such arrangements is beginning to count toward employment seniority and future pensions, thanks to regulations in force since the beginning of 2026.
Just a few years ago, seasonal work was associated mainly with fruit picking or jobs in restaurants located in tourist resorts. Today, demand is just as strong in warehouses serving e-commerce, logistics centres, music festivals, amusement parks, the hotel sector and retail. The season has become a period used by almost all industries, and its versatility is increasing the number of job offers of a more varied nature. As a result, seasonal opportunities no longer cover only simple, repetitive tasks, but also more interesting and dynamic roles across different sectors.
“One of the major changes we have observed over the years in seasonal work concerns the diversity of positions. Increasingly, these are no longer only simple manual jobs, but roles requiring basic digital skills, quick adaptability and the ability to work in a dynamic environment. Seasonal employment is beginning to resemble a flexible project-based labour market, where workers move smoothly between sectors depending on demand and local events. In addition, they have a chance to earn money relatively quickly,” says Magda Dąbrowska, President of Grupa Progres.
Record rates and new benefits drive the 2026 season
According to Grupa Progres data, this year’s rates for seasonal work range from PLN 32 to PLN 45 gross per hour, although more demanding or urgent assignments may offer more attractive pay, reaching PLN 52 gross per hour. Some workers’ earnings fall in the middle of this range. According to Jooble statistics for positions containing the term “seasonal”, the average worker in Poland earns around PLN 80,628 annually, as of 13 May 2026. This translates into an average of PLN 6,719 per month, PLN 1,680 per week or around PLN 41.99 per hour. At the same time, the analysis shows pay variation, with the lowest annual rates at around PLN 77,640 and the highest reaching PLN 83,508.
Seasonal work has gained real value
In gastronomy, job offers are still dominated by waiters, earning around PLN 32–40 per hour plus tips; bartenders, at PLN 32–50 per hour, and even PLN 50–70 per hour during peak season or in clubs and at events; baristas, at PLN 32–45 per hour; kitchen assistants, at PLN 32–38 per hour; and chefs, at PLN 35–60 per hour, with higher rates in top locations and resorts. Increasingly, however, there are also jobs for food truck operators, at PLN 32–55 per hour or a daily rate plus a share of turnover; event catering staff, at PLN 35–60 per hour; and staff serving mobile food zones at concerts and festivals, at PLN 40–70 per hour, often with extra pay for night shifts and weekend work.
Hotels are recruiting not only receptionists and housekeeping staff, at PLN 32–45 per hour, but also children’s entertainers, at PLN 30–50 per hour; wellness zone attendants, at PLN 35–60 per hour; pool technicians, at PLN 35–55 per hour; seasonal concierges for premium apartments, at PLN 40–70 per hour, often with foreign language requirements; and staff responsible for handling online reservations, at PLN 30–50 per hour, sometimes with performance-based bonuses.
In logistics and seasonal retail, companies are looking for warehouse workers, at PLN 32–40 per hour; order-picking operators, at PLN 32–45 per hour; employees packing e-commerce parcels, at PLN 32–40 per hour; inventory staff, at PLN 32–45 per hour; and urban delivery drivers, at PLN 35–55 per hour plus bonuses for deliveries and working hours. There are also more and more offers related to operating parcel lockers and order pick-up points in tourist destinations, at PLN 32–40 per hour.
The events sector is growing very dynamically, with demand for stage assembly workers, at PLN 35–60 per hour; lighting and sound technicians, at PLN 40–80 per hour; event stewards, at PLN 32–45 per hour; VIP zone staff, at PLN 35–70 per hour; and workers servicing sanitary facilities during outdoor events, at PLN 32–40 per hour. More unusual roles are also appearing, such as inflatable attraction operators, at PLN 32–40 per hour; relaxation zone attendants, at PLN 32–50 per hour; seasonal escape room testers, at PLN 32–60 per hour; summer cinema managers, at PLN 40–70 per hour; and sports activity animators in hotels and resorts, at PLN 32–55 per hour.
In tourism and recreation, employers are looking for water sports instructors, at PLN 40–80 per hour, often with commissions from lessons; electric bike rental operators, at PLN 32–45 per hour; rope park staff, at PLN 32–50 per hour; lifeguards, at PLN 35–60 per hour plus responsibility allowances; and city guides, at PLN 35–70 per hour plus tips. The beauty and wellness sector, in turn, is recruiting seasonal massage therapists, at PLN 40–90 per hour; beauticians, at PLN 40–80 per hour; nail stylists, at PLN 40–85 per hour; and spa receptionists, at PLN 32–50 per hour. In tourist destinations, there are even offers for photographers taking pictures of tourists, at PLN 32–70 per hour or commission on sales, as well as social media content creators managing the profiles of hotels and beach bars, at PLN 35–80 per hour or project-based rates.
“Seasonal work is no longer just a solution for students looking for holiday earnings. Today, it is a fully fledged segment of the labour market, where companies compete for candidates almost as intensely as in permanent recruitment. More and more employers are building their brand around the season and returning to the same workers every year. Candidates are now paying attention not only to the rate, but also to employment conditions, salary supplements, schedules and the workplace atmosphere,” says Magda Dąbrowska, President of Grupa Progres.
The contract still matters. Most offers are based on civil-law contracts, but the market is changing
The most popular form of employment remains the civil-law contract, especially in gastronomy, tourism and events. In logistics and warehouses, however, fixed-term employment contracts are appearing more often, as companies want to reduce turnover and train workers more quickly for future seasons. Employers are trying to attract candidates with additional benefits, including free accommodation, employee meals, bonuses for no absences and fuel subsidies.
There is also strong interest in short weekend contracts and micro-seasons lasting from two to six weeks. This is a response to the changing approach of young workers, who are less and less willing to work throughout the entire summer. Hybrid employment models are also becoming popular, combining several days of on-site work with some tasks performed remotely, for example in reservation handling or online customer service.
New regulations are changing the seasonal labour market
The new regulations in force from 2026 have also led some people to pay greater attention to legal employment and the payment of contributions. The changes make it possible to include certain periods worked under civil-law contracts in employment seniority, which may matter when calculating employee rights, seniority allowances or the length of annual leave.
“This is the first season in which candidates are really asking about contributions and formalities. Until recently, most young people were interested only in the net rate and the number of working hours. Today, they are increasingly asking whether the contract will be reported to ZUS, whether contributions will be paid and how employment seniority is treated. This shows that awareness of the labour market is growing faster than many employers assumed. In practice, legal employment is beginning to become an element of competitive advantage,” stresses Magda Dąbrowska, President of Grupa Progres.
Parents are returning to the recruitment process
One of the visible trends this season is the presence of parents during recruitment. Young candidates often come to job interviews with their mother or father, especially if the work involves travelling to another city or accommodation provided by the employer.
Parents ask about accommodation standards, the number of working hours, transport safety and contract provisions. For some companies this is surprising, but many organisations have already begun preparing special information materials for candidates’ families. In the hotel and gastronomy sectors, even open days for parents of seasonal workers have appeared.
“As the number of offers grows, so does the risk of abuse, which is why candidates’ increased vigilance is fully justified. It is worth carefully verifying job advertisements, especially those that do not contain full company details, clearly defined employment conditions or specific information about the place and form of work. Unclear rules regarding accommodation, excessively high deductions for lodging and meals, and a lack of information about the actual number of working hours or shift system should also raise concern,” says Magda Dąbrowska.
“Particular caution should be exercised with offers promising very high earnings without a contract or without a clearly defined settlement method. Transparency in these areas is crucial. Its absence may indicate potential irregularities or dishonest practices. Therefore, before deciding to travel or accept employment, every offer should be carefully checked and the conditions should be clearly described and verifiable. If an offer seems too good to be true, it is better to approach it with caution and, in case of doubt, simply walk away,” concludes the President of Grupa Progres.
Source: CEO.com.pl.
