{"id":6319,"date":"2026-07-16T12:09:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T12:09:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/?p=6319"},"modified":"2026-07-16T12:09:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T12:09:33","slug":"rd-salaries-in-poland-rise-with-directors-earning-up-to-pln-57000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/rd-salaries-in-poland-rise-with-directors-earning-up-to-pln-57000\/","title":{"rendered":"R&#038;D Salaries in Poland Rise, with Directors Earning Up to PLN 57,000"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Although research and development centres continue to recruit far more cautiously than they did a few years ago, this does not necessarily indicate a lasting weakening of the sector. New sources of funding, multibillion-zloty investments in energy, infrastructure and defence, and the development of advanced technologies could once again increase demand for specialists in the coming years.<\/p>\n<p>The greatest demand is expected to focus on engineering, design, electronics, automation and software skills \u2014 competencies that companies already value highly in their salary structures. Average pay in R&amp;D centres increased by 4% year on year, the second-highest growth rate among the industrial sectors analysed.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/rd-salaries-in-poland-rise-with-directors-earning-up-to-pln-57000\/#New_investment_is_reshaping_the_direction_of_R_D\" >New investment is reshaping the direction of R&amp;D<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/rd-salaries-in-poland-rise-with-directors-earning-up-to-pln-57000\/#What_talent_does_the_R_D_sector_need\" >What talent does the R&amp;D sector need?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/rd-salaries-in-poland-rise-with-directors-earning-up-to-pln-57000\/#R_D_directors_can_earn_up_to_PLN_57000_gross_a_month\" >R&amp;D directors can earn up to PLN 57,000 gross a month<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/rd-salaries-in-poland-rise-with-directors-earning-up-to-pln-57000\/#The_second-highest_salary_growth_rate_in_industry\" >The second-highest salary growth rate in industry<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/rd-salaries-in-poland-rise-with-directors-earning-up-to-pln-57000\/#The_future_of_R_D_local_expertise_and_stable_partnerships\" >The future of R&amp;D: local expertise and stable partnerships<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/rd-salaries-in-poland-rise-with-directors-earning-up-to-pln-57000\/#About_the_report\" >About the report<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"New_investment_is_reshaping_the_direction_of_R_D\"><\/span>New investment is reshaping the direction of R&amp;D<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Although Poland continues to spend less on research and development than Europe\u2019s most innovative economies, the coming years could bring a clear acceleration in the sector\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n<p>This outlook is supported by funding available through the European Funds for a Modern Economy programme, known as FENG, multibillion-zloty investments in energy, infrastructure and defence, and initiatives such as Innovate Poland, which are intended to make it easier for companies to obtain capital for development and the commercialisation of new technologies.<\/p>\n<p>Businesses remain the main source of R&amp;D funding, accounting for almost two-thirds of total domestic expenditure in this area.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPoland now has an opportunity to strengthen its research and development sector substantially. Success will depend not only on access to funding, but above all on whether companies use this period to develop technologies and build lasting R&amp;D capabilities,\u201d says Karolina Damas, Manager at Grafton Recruitment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt will be up to companies to ensure that the knowledge and experience acquired during these projects remain in Poland and continue to generate value in future ventures.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Industrial R&amp;D activities now cover an increasingly broad range of technologies. Companies are developing solutions related to manufacturing automation and robotisation, artificial intelligence, process digitalisation, new materials, and technologies supporting the energy transition and improving industrial efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>Security considerations are also having a growing influence on research and development. Rising geopolitical tensions are increasing the importance of projects connected with defence, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection and autonomous systems.<\/p>\n<p>Many of the technologies currently being developed are dual-use solutions. They may initially be designed for defence and security purposes before later finding applications in industry, energy, transport and logistics.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPoland currently spends approximately 1.5% of its GDP on research and development, which remains below the EU average. At the same time, thanks to its strong engineering talent base, Poland is increasingly aspiring to become not only a recipient of technology, but also a potential exporter and an important manufacturing centre,\u201d says Danuta Protasewicz, Regional Manager at Grafton Recruitment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis applies both to advanced manufacturing and to areas related to R&amp;D and the development of new technologies.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Companies nevertheless continue to identify a number of barriers that make research and development projects more difficult. The most frequently mentioned challenges include the limited participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in innovation, cost pressure and a shortage of qualified specialists.<\/p>\n<p>Another obstacle is the lack of clarity surrounding the rules governing tax relief for research and development activities.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_talent_does_the_R_D_sector_need\"><\/span>What talent does the R&amp;D sector need?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Demand for employees in R&amp;D and engineering centres remains low. According to Grafton Recruitment\u2019s Industrial Sector Salary Report, the demand index stood at just 0.37 in March 2026 \u2014 the lowest figure among all the industrial job categories analysed.<\/p>\n<p>This confirms the continued slowdown in recruitment that has been visible since 2024 in a sector that only a few years ago was one of the strongest magnets for research and development investment in Central and Eastern Europe.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe slowdown currently observed in research and development does not mean that the sector has lost its potential. It is more likely that investment decisions have been postponed,\u201d says Protasewicz.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is worth remembering that many solutions originally developed for defence \u2014 a sector that currently has access to substantial funding \u2014 may eventually be applied in other industries, strengthening their innovation and competitiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She adds that the defence sector could provide a significant stimulus for increased investment and faster R&amp;D development in Poland.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLarge-scale projects planned for the coming years may also support knowledge transfer, particularly those requiring advanced engineering capabilities in areas such as nuclear energy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Companies continue to seek specialists whose expertise is essential to technology projects, including engineers, design engineers, product designers, electronics specialists, automation engineers and software developers.<\/p>\n<p>There is also a clear increase in demand for roles connected with cybersecurity, industrial automation, data analysis, artificial intelligence, the resilience of critical infrastructure, and projects related to defence and national security.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"R_D_directors_can_earn_up_to_PLN_57000_gross_a_month\"><\/span>R&amp;D directors can earn up to PLN 57,000 gross a month<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>R&amp;D directors receive the highest salaries in research and development and engineering centres. Monthly gross pay for these positions ranges from PLN 30,000 to PLN 57,000.<\/p>\n<p>Management and team leadership roles also command high salaries. Heads of design departments can earn between PLN 24,000 and PLN 35,000 gross per month. The upper end of this salary range increased by 17% compared with the previous year.<\/p>\n<p>Design team leaders earn between PLN 18,000 and PLN 26,000, while mechanical engineers receive between PLN 12,000 and PLN 18,000 gross per month, according to Grafton Recruitment\u2019s Industrial Sector Salary Report.<\/p>\n<p>In electronics, team leaders earn between PLN 19,000 and PLN 25,000, while electronics engineers can expect salaries of between PLN 13,000 and PLN 19,000.<\/p>\n<p>In testing, the highest salaries are offered to test team leaders, who earn between PLN 19,000 and PLN 26,000. Software testers receive between PLN 13,000 and PLN 19,000, while embedded software testers earn between PLN 13,000 and PLN 18,000.<\/p>\n<p>In software development, the highest salary range applies to embedded software team leaders, who earn between PLN 19,000 and PLN 28,000 gross per month.<\/p>\n<p>Software team leaders earn between PLN 19,000 and PLN 27,000. Embedded C\/C++ developers receive between PLN 14,000 and PLN 24,000, while software developers earn between PLN 15,000 and PLN 22,000.<\/p>\n<p>Implementation engineers can expect gross monthly salaries ranging from PLN 15,000 to PLN 20,000.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_second-highest_salary_growth_rate_in_industry\"><\/span>The second-highest salary growth rate in industry<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Despite more cautious recruitment, average salaries in research and development and engineering centres increased by 4% year on year.<\/p>\n<p>This was the second-highest result among the industrial sectors analysed. Only distribution centres recorded stronger growth, with salaries rising by an average of 5% year on year. Pay in other industrial segments increased by approximately 3%.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSalary growth in the research and development sector is uneven. The largest increases apply to roles involving greater project or technological responsibility,\u201d says Damas.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese competencies are important not only within R&amp;D departments. They are also essential for projects involving automation, the digitalisation of manufacturing, the development of devices, control systems, industrial electronics, solution testing and the implementation of technologies in production environments.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The largest salary increase, at 13% year on year, was recorded for R&amp;D managers, including heads of design departments.<\/p>\n<p>Other notable increases included a 9% rise for embedded software team leaders, 7% for design team leaders and electronics engineers, and 6% for embedded C\/C++ developers and software developers.<\/p>\n<p>Salary ranges remained unchanged year on year in several positions, including mechanical engineers, test team leaders, embedded software testers and implementation engineers.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_future_of_R_D_local_expertise_and_stable_partnerships\"><\/span>The future of R&amp;D: local expertise and stable partnerships<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the coming years, the development of the research and development sector will increasingly depend on companies\u2019 ability to combine industrial, digital and engineering expertise.<\/p>\n<p>Projects related to defence, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, energy and automation require cooperation between teams that understand both technology and the practical realities of manufacturing and implementation.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, local R&amp;D capabilities are becoming increasingly important. These include in-house teams, proprietary know-how, access to engineers and the ability to develop new solutions quickly and close to the target market.<\/p>\n<p>This does not mean that companies will seek complete technological self-sufficiency. The development of R&amp;D will instead rely on a combination of domestic investment and international cooperation, particularly with partners operating within the European Union.<\/p>\n<p>Such a model can help companies reduce risk, diversify their sources of technology and strengthen their resilience to changing geopolitical and economic conditions.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"About_the_report\"><\/span>About the report<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Industrial Sector Salary Report 2026 is the tenth edition of a recurring study prepared by Grafton Recruitment experts.<\/p>\n<p>It includes salary data for employees at all levels \u2014 from manual workers and specialists to senior managers \u2014 across a range of industrial sectors, including pharmaceuticals and chemicals, automotive manufacturing and machinery production, fast-moving consumer goods, research and development, engineering and distribution centres, construction and defence.<\/p>\n<p>The salary survey was conducted between March and April 2026 and covered 9,345 candidates working in the industrial sector and 178 companies.<\/p>\n<p>The publication also includes expert commentary outlining the sector\u2019s current challenges and development prospects.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Although research and development centres continue to recruit far more cautiously than they did a few years ago, this does not necessarily indicate a lasting weakening of the sector. New sources of funding, multibillion-zloty investments in energy, infrastructure and defence, and the development of advanced technologies could once again increase demand for specialists in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6107,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Poland\u2019s research and development sector is still recruiting more cautiously than it did several years ago, but its long-term prospects remain strong.\r\n\r\nNew funding programmes, major investments in energy, infrastructure and defence, as well as the development of artificial intelligence, automation, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing, could significantly increase demand for highly qualified specialists.\r\n\r\nAccording to Grafton Recruitment\u2019s 2026 salary report, average salaries in R&D and engineering centres increased by 4% year on year\u2014the second-highest rise among the analysed industrial sectors.\r\n\r\nR&D directors can now earn between PLN 30,000 and PLN 57,000 gross per month. Strong salary levels are also available to engineering managers, electronics specialists, automation experts, software developers and embedded systems programmers.\r\n\r\nAlthough current recruitment demand remains relatively low, defence projects, critical infrastructure, nuclear energy and industrial digitalisation may become major growth drivers for Poland\u2019s R&D market in the coming years.\r\n\r\nRead more about salaries, recruitment trends and the future of Poland\u2019s research and development sector.\r\n\r\n#ResearchAndDevelopment #RandD #Engineering #Technology #Poland #Salaries #Recruitment #DefenceIndustry #Cybersecurity #Innovation","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[21],"tags":[2974,4743,47,3416,37,64,2726,2778],"class_list":["post-6319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-careers","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-danuta-protasewicz","tag-european-union","tag-grafton-recruitment","tag-machinery","tag-poland","tag-target","tag-teams"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6319"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6319\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6321,"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6319\/revisions\/6321"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}