One in four companies plans to increase salaries by the end of 2026.
By the end of February 2026, nearly 33% of companies had already raised salaries, and another 25% plan to do so by the end of the year. The average planned increase is around 5%.
Scale of pay raises: By the end of February 2026, nearly 33% of companies had already raised salaries, and another 25% plans to do so by the end of the year. The average size of planned increases is about 5%.
Slowing pace: We are observing a downward trend in wage growth dynamics. While in 2021–2024 increases were 10–14%, and in 2025 9%, in February 2026 the year-over-year increase was 6.4%. The average salary in the enterprise sector stood at PLN 9,212.13.
Causes of the slowdown: The main restraining factors are falling inflation, companies’ budget discipline, and caution resulting from the implementation of the EU directive on pay transparency.
Industry differences
Key conclusions
Mining as an exception: This is the only PKD section in which a decline in average remuneration was recorded (by nearly 3%).
Employment stability: Plans for wage cuts are marginal and concern only 3% of surveyed companies.
Microeconomic optimism: Despite less enthusiasm than in 2024 (when 36% of companies planned raises), the labor market remains stable, with a clear tendency toward wage equalization in manufacturing and construction sectors in the second half of the year.
