Doctors Reveal Desired Earnings: 'I Don't Go Below 220 Zloty Per Hour'

Young doctors in Poland are increasingly vocal about their earning expectations, with many stating that 160 to 200 Polish zloty (about $40-$50 USD) per hour is a reasonable minimum for their work. This sentiment is a shift from previous years, when 150 zloty was considered competitive, but is now seen as outdated given current market realities.

The conversation gained traction following reports about Dawid Kacprzyk, a young doctor and city councilor in Warsaw. He allegedly earned around 1.6 million zloty ($400,000 USD) in 2025, working exclusively within the public healthcare system. Records from the Warsaw Southern Hospital, where Kacprzyk headed the emergency department, showed he worked nearly 11 hours a day, every day of the year, without a single day off. While this intense schedule is not a record, it sparked debate about the feasibility and ethics of such working hours.

Further scrutiny of Kacprzyk's case revealed instances where he allegedly participated in district council meetings and engaged with media during his hospital shifts. Reports also mentioned shifts lasting up to three days, though the possibility of unrecorded schedule changes was acknowledged. These details have fueled discussions about doctors' commitment and the potential for conflicts of interest.

Specialists with significant experience are commanding even higher rates. A family medicine specialist with about 20 years of experience near Lublin is reportedly seeking 280-300 zloty ($70-$75 USD) per hour. These rates are becoming more common in regions facing a severe shortage of doctors. Even pediatricians with 12 years of experience, earning around 90 zloty net per hour on a standard employment contract, are considered underpaid by their peers, who believe specialists should earn at least 250 zloty ($63 USD) per hour, especially in major cities.