Nearly 40% of students in Poland earn “under the table” between 2,000 and 4,000 PLN, while over 7% of students earn over 7,000 PLN, according to a survey conducted by SW Research for the Career Program of the Polish Business Council. The study also found that 6.6% of those surveyed earn less than 1,000 PLN, while 9.1% earn between 4,000 and 5,000 PLN, and less than 1% earn between 6,000 and 7,000 PLN. Over 17% of students declined to answer questions about their income.
The survey report also noted that the highest-earning students were found in Bydgoszcz and Toruń, while the Tri-City area had the highest percentage of students earning less than 1,000 PLN net per month.
According to Marian Owerko, Vice President of the Polish Business Council and creator of the Career Program – paid internships for students and graduates, there are two trends in the job market. On the one hand, companies are cutting costs and reducing the employment of students, resulting in an increase in the number of people declaring income in the range of 1,001 to 2,000 PLN or less than 1,000 PLN. On the other hand, there is an increase in the professionalization of student work. Despite the uncertainty in the market, companies want to employ the best candidates and are willing to pay them very well.
The study also found an increase in the number of students earning less than 2,000 PLN net per month, which is nearly one in four (compared to one in five last year). At the same time, the number of students earning over 7,000 PLN net per month increased by over five times.
In summary, the survey found that the current median net income falls in the range of 3,001-4,000 PLN, with one in five working students (19%) earning in this range. Similar percentages were reported for earnings in the range of 1,001-2,000 PLN (18%) and 2,001-3,000 PLN (19%). When asked about their desired income, the median preferred income was found to be in the range of 5,001-6,000 PLN net per month.
“The optimal salary level for the year is considered to be between 6,001 and 7,000 PLN, for three years from 9,001 to 10,000 PLN, and for ten years – above 10,000 PLN net. Compared to the previous study, all of these values have increased. For the nearer time perspective, they have shifted by about 1000 PLN, and for later periods, even by 2000 PLN,” reads the research report.
Between March 15 and 28, 800 surveys were conducted with students from 12 cities as part of the study. They were carried out in the form of online interviews (CAWI) on the SW Panel internet panel. The respondents were students of various fields and years of study. An almost equal number of women and men participated in the study. 74.9% of the surveyed students studied full-time, while 25.1% studied part-time.
As indicated, the majority of surveyed students (75%) study full-time. Almost 40% of respondents (38%) are first-year students, and every fifth is a second-year student. Nearly 53% of those surveyed work based on a mandate contract, over 17% have a fixed-term contract, and almost 22% have a permanent contract. (PAP)
Nauka w Polsce, Szymon Zdziebłowski
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