The era of rapid wage growth in Poland is coming to an end. By the end of the first quarter of 2026, income growth amounted to only 6.3%. This is the lowest figure in the last five years, signaling fundamental changes in the labor market.

Data published by the Gremi Personal analytical center confirms that the period when salaries in the corporate sector grew by 10–13% annually has ended. For comparison: at the beginning of 2026, the average salary in the country was 9,263.5 PLN gross (about 110,000 UAH).

The market is exiting the overheating phase

Experts link the slowdown to the economy exiting an overheated state. Salary has ceased to be the main tool for competing for talent, and companies have begun to return to more conservative budget management.

"The Polish labor market is gradually exiting the overheating phase. Salary is ceasing to be the main tool for fighting for personnel, and companies are increasingly returning to more conservative expense management," notes Yevgeny Kirichenko, founder of Gremi Personal.

Differences between industries

Despite the general cooling, the situation in different sectors of the economy is heterogeneous. High salary dynamics are demonstrated by industries related to defense orders. At the same time, income grew slowest in the food industry — only 4.6%. Analysts explain this by the fact that the personnel reserve in this sector was filled as early as the end of last year.

New challenges and forecasts

Business and workers are facing new risks. Geopolitical instability, including the conflict in the Persian Gulf, has already led to an acceleration of inflation in March-April 2026. Further energy price hikes may force companies to review their HR policies again.

Nevertheless, the forecast for the remainder of the year remains relatively calm. Gremi Personal analysts expect that the Polish labor market will maintain balance, and wage growth will remain within moderate limits — from 6% to 8%. Such a scenario will allow business to maintain competitiveness, and workers — their real income level.

Parallel to changes in remuneration, employers are changing their recruitment approaches. The number of requests to hire temporary personnel grew by 10% in April 2026 alone. Furthermore, Ukrainians with temporary protection status are reminded of the need to update their data in the PESEL registry to avoid losing access to social rights.