Thursday, 16 July 2026
Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud computing specialists are becoming some of Europe’s most sought-after professionals as governments and businesses accelerate investment in digital infrastructure. While experienced IT specialists in Poland can now earn up to PLN 30,000 gross per month in permanent employment, and considerably more under business-to-business (B2B) contracts, Western European markets continue to offer higher salaries in many technology roles.
According to an analysis by Personnel Service, entry-level programmers in Poland typically earn between PLN 6,000 and PLN 11,000 gross per month, while professionals with several years of experience receive PLN 12,000 to PLN 18,000. Senior specialists can earn up to PLN 30,000 gross, with higher remuneration often available through freelance and B2B arrangements.
Although Germany and the Czech Republic continue to offer higher average salaries, the wage gap is narrowing in specialist fields such as artificial intelligence, cloud engineering and cybersecurity. Programmers in Germany currently earn between €3,500 and €5,500 gross per month, while salaries in the Czech Republic typically range from €3,000 to €4,000.
Krzysztof Inglot, founder of Personnel Service and President of the Polish Outsourcing Association, said companies are increasingly competing for specialised digital skills rather than general programming expertise. He noted that Poland is becoming more competitive in attracting technology professionals as employers increasingly match Western European salary levels for high-demand roles.
The tightening labour market coincides with a major increase in public investment in Europe’s digital economy. According to the European Commission’s 2026 State of the Digital Decade report, EU Member States have committed to 1,934 digital measures with a combined value of €289.3 billion, covering areas including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity and digital public services.
The investment programme forms part of the European Union’s broader strategy to strengthen technological competitiveness and reduce dependence on non-European technology providers. Among the priority areas are semiconductor manufacturing, advanced computing infrastructure, cloud services and artificial intelligence, with additional legislative initiatives under preparation to reinforce Europe’s technology ecosystem.
The growing investment pipeline is expected to increase demand for highly qualified professionals across multiple disciplines, including AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, cloud architecture, embedded software engineering and data science. According to the Commission, ICT specialists currently account for approximately 5% of total EU employment, only half of the 10% target set for 2030 under the Digital Decade programme.
Demand is also being driven by a widening digital skills gap. The Commission warns that, without further action, the European Union risks falling short of its target of employing 20 million ICT specialists by 2030, highlighting the need for continued investment in education, reskilling and workforce development.
Personnel Service’s own labour market research suggests employees are responding to these structural changes. Its latest Barometer of the Polish Labour Market found that 45% of respondents intend to acquire new professional skills, 56% want to improve their competitiveness in the labour market, and 40% cite rapid technological change as the primary motivation for further training.
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into business operations, competition for talent is shifting away from traditional software development towards specialist expertise in emerging technologies. While salary remains an important factor, employers are also competing through the quality of projects, opportunities for professional development and access to cutting-edge technologies. With hundreds of billions of euros now committed to Europe’s digital transformation, demand for advanced technology skills is expected to remain strong throughout the remainder of the decade.
