HGV truck drivers are among the most in-demand workers in Poland. Salaries range from 5,000 PLN gross for local drivers to over 18,000 PLN gross for experienced senior international drivers, with the national average sitting around 8,500 PLN.
Route Types and Pay Levels
Local and regional drivers handling domestic deliveries typically earn 5,000–6,500 PLN gross. International drivers transporting goods across the EU command 7,000–10,000 PLN, and senior drivers with specialist cargo experience or long-haul expertise can reach 12,000–18,000 PLN, including daily allowances (diety) which are often paid on top of the base salary.
Key Factors Affecting Pay
- Licence category: A CE licence for articulated vehicles is the industry standard for the highest-paid routes; C category (rigid trucks) pays less.
- Cargo specialisation: Drivers with ADR certification for hazardous materials, or experience with refrigerated (chłodnia) or oversized loads, earn a significant premium.
- Clean record: An accident-free history and no licence endorsements directly improve negotiating power with larger logistics companies.
- Daily allowances: For international routes, tax-free diety can add 2,000–4,000 PLN per month on top of the gross salary.
Regional and Company Differences
Large logistics hubs near Warsaw, Łódź, Poznań, and Silesia offer the most vacancies and often the best packages. Companies such as international forwarding agencies, express courier networks, and retail distribution fleets are among the top payers in the sector.
Career Outlook
Poland faces a structural shortage of qualified HGV drivers, which continues to push salaries upward. EU transport directives and digital tachograph requirements mean continuous training is needed, but this also keeps barriers to entry high and wages competitive.