20:11 3 November 2026
Warsaw does not always pay the best in industrial production
Polish manufacturers are hiring more cautiously, but technical talent remains scarce. Manufacturing had 24,700 vacancies at the end of Q2 2026, up 2,700 y/y. Labor shortages increase workloads at 96% of surveyed production and logistics companies and limit new orders or expansion at 55%. Demand is strongest in quality control, maintenance, and production operations, while recruitment for management and engineering roles has weakened.
Average monthly manufacturing pay reached PLN 8,780.98 gross in August, up 5.5% y/y. Specialized workers can earn considerably more, with regional differences: automation specialists may earn up to PLN 12,100 in the Tri-City, and shift managers up to PLN 12,600 in Katowice. A demographic scenario estimates the industrial workforce could shrink by about 0.4 mln by 2035, increasing pressure on companies to train and retain skilled employees.
