Hiring in Poland
Hiring AI teams in Poland is becoming a top strategy for companies who want world-class expertise, cost-effective hiring, and a strong competitive edge in artificial intelligence.
Poland is home to one of the largest and fastest-growing AI talent pools in Europe, with a reputation for technical excellence and a business culture that fits international projects.
This guide covers everything you need to know—from salaries and skills to recruitment models and best practices—to help you build and retain high-performing AI teams… all at the best price.
Why Build AI Teams in Poland?
Poland boasts vibrant tech hubs (Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław), a strong startup scene, active AI meetups, and a growing presence of international tech leaders. The business culture supports both innovation and reliable project delivery.
Major global companies like Google, Microsoft, and IBM have all chosen Poland as a key R&D location. The main reason behind this trend? A unique combination of cost-efficiency and high-caliber talent.
Poland’s IT sector now exceeds €8.3 billion in revenue, with over 91,000 software developers active in 2024 (DevsData). More than 50,000 AI and data professionals work in the country, which ranks in the top five worldwide for programming and data science skills (HackerRank).
Polish universities produce thousands of STEM graduates every year, supporting AI research and talent pipeline.
| By the NumbersIT services market: Projected to reach $10.4 billion in 2025 (DevsData). AI talent supply: Approximately 50,000 AI and data professionals—more than most neighboring countries (Index.dev). Data engineering: One of Poland’s fastest-growing tech job categories, with a 20% year-over-year growth (NoFluffJobs).English proficiency: Over 90% of Polish AI specialists speak English fluently; most have experience in global and distributed teams (Polish Information Processing Society).Project experience: Polish AI teams have supported unicorns and Fortune 500 companies in digital transformation and have delivered large-scale projects in finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and more (Polish Agency for Enterprise Development).Recognition: Teams from Poland regularly excel at international AI and programming competitions. |
For more about Poland’s status as a tech hub, see Why Poland is Becoming Europe’s Premier IT Outsourcing Destination.
Most Sought-After AI Roles and Comparison of Costs
AI specialists in Poland command competitive salaries, but total costs are typically 30–50% lower than in Western Europe or the US. This cost efficiency allows companies to access world-class expertise and scale their teams without overstretching their budgets.
Below is a comparison of average monthly salaries for key AI roles in Poland, based on 2024 data from TalentPlace and market reports:
| Role | What They Do | Poland Avg. Salary (USD/month)* | U.S. Avg. Salary (USD/month) | Avg. Monthly Savings |
| Data Scientist | Data analysis, modeling, predictive analytics | $5,500–$7,000 (22,000–28,000 PLN) | $10,500–$14,500 | $3,500–$7,500 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | Build, train, and deploy ML models | $6,000–$8,000 (24,000–32,000 PLN) | $11,500–$16,000 | $3,500–$8,000 |
| Senior AI Engineer | Lead AI development, oversee ML/AI projects | $7,000–$9,500 (28,000–38,000 PLN) | $15,000–$21,000 | $5,500–$11,500 |
| AI Architect | Design AI system architecture and integration | $7,500–$10,000 (30,000–40,000 PLN) | $15,500–$22,000 | $5,500–$12,000 |
| AI Product Owner (AI PO) | Bridge business and tech; align projects | $6,000–$8,000 (24,000–32,000 PLN) | $13,000–$18,000 | $5,000–$10,000 |
| NLP Engineer | Specialize in NLP/AI language tasks | $5,750–$7,500 (23,000–30,000 PLN) | $12,500–$17,000 | $5,000–$9,500 |
*Poland salary ranges reflect B2B contracts, which are most common for experienced AI professionals. Salaries for these roles are based on aggregated estimates and may vary by project, location, and company size. For the most up-to-date salary data, consult local salary reports or work with a recruiter who specializes in AI and IT talent in Poland.
You can also learn more about Polish IT salaries in our guide to How to Hire Polish Talent as a Foreign Company.
Building AI Teams in Poland as a Global Company
Poland offers a flexible landscape for global recruitment. As a foreign company, you have many options for building your AI team—whether you want to hire individual specialists, assemble entire project teams, or partner with local agencies through models like Employer of Record (EOR), IT outsourcing, or Try & Hire.
This flexibility makes it easy to tailor your hiring approach to your company’s goals, budget, and desired level of local presence.
Single Specialists or Whole Teams?
- Hiring individual specialists for niche skills or urgent needs (such as a top-tier NLP engineer or a machine learning consultant).
- Assembling dedicated project teams complete with team leads, backend/frontend developers, product managers, and QA specialists. This model is popular for organizations scaling up or running complex AI initiatives.
Your choice depends on your company’s maturity, project complexity, and long-term goals. Many companies start with one or two key hires, then expand into a full project team as trust
EOR, Outsourcing, Try & Hire, and Other Hiring Models
- Employer of Record (EOR): Perfect for companies without a Polish legal entity. The EOR acts as the legal employer, handling payroll, compliance, and onboarding, while you manage day-to-day work.
Learn more about how to hire AI talent in Poland through an EOR here.
- IT Outsourcing: Contract a Polish agency or consultancy to deliver full AI projects or managed services. This is ideal if you need quick results and want to reduce admin burden.
- Try & Hire: Start with a contractor or agency partner and convert top performers to full-time or long-term contract roles. This model helps you “test-drive” talent before committing.
- Direct Hire (B2B/UoP):
- B2B Contracts: Most popular among senior AI professionals. Offers flexibility, higher net pay, and tax advantages.
- UoP (Employment Contract): Preferred by junior talent or those seeking stability. Includes social security, health benefits, and paid leave.
You can read more about how these contract options compare here.
Legal & Compliance in AI Hiring in Poland
To ensure smooth, compliant hiring, pay close attention to these essentials:
Partnering with a local EOR, outsourcing agency, or recruitment expert can simplify contracts, compliance, and onboarding, so you can focus on building a high-performing AI team.
These partners keep you up to date with legal changes, draft compliant agreements, and help structure offers that meet both your business needs and local expectations.
Building a successful AI team in Poland goes beyond simply posting job ads. The market is competitive, and global companies must act strategically to attract and retain the best AI specialists.
Common Challenges in Hiring AI Specialists
When hiring AI teams in Poland, companies often face several unique obstacles:
- Job title confusion: AI job titles (e.g., Data Scientist vs. ML Engineer) can overlap or mean different things at different companies, leading to mismatches between expectations and skills.
- Short candidate availability: The best AI specialists are often available for just 2–3 weeks before accepting an offer. Delayed processes can mean losing out to faster-moving competitors.
- Global competition: Companies from the UK, Germany, the U.S., and beyond are targeting the same talent pool, raising the bar for both offers and candidate experience.
- Passive candidates: The most in-demand AI professionals rarely apply for open roles. They prefer to be approached with tailored, compelling offers.
- Skills verification: Evaluating true expertise in AI, machine learning, and data engineering can be challenging without technical leads or standardized tests.
- Cultural alignment: Ensuring a good fit between company culture and Polish team norms is essential for long-term retention and productivity.
That’s why speed, clear communication, and a tailored offer are crucial for successful AI recruitment in Poland.
Retaining and Developing AI Talent
Hiring a specialist is only the beginning. Retaining top AI talent, especially as an international company, requires a thoughtful approach. Here’s what works best in Poland’s competitive market:
- Give them ownership: Senior engineers and AI specialists want more than a list of requirements. Let them shape the project architecture, lead initiatives, and mentor junior team members.
- Support professional growth: Invest in their development with paid certifications (like Google ML Engineer or Azure AI), access to conferences, and dedicated time for online learning.
- Encourage innovation: Allow time for “off-roadmap” projects, internal hackathons, or process/tooling improvements. This keeps top talent engaged and sparks creative solutions.
- Recognize their impact: Regularly highlight how their work contributes to business outcomes. Public recognition and transparent feedback help engineers feel valued.
- Stay competitive on salary and benefits: Compensation is not everything, but it matters—especially as global firms actively scout Polish talent. Offer private healthcare, extra paid leave, remote work flexibility, and upskilling budgets.
Final Thoughts
Hiring AI teams in Poland gives your business access to a multilingual, internationally savvy workforce with proven AI expertise.
Thanks to a unique blend of world-class technical skills, cost efficiency, and a business culture compatible with Western work styles, scaling your AI capabilities in Poland is a smart, future-proof strategy for global companies.
With the right approach to recruitment and retention, Poland offers everything you need to build a high-performing AI team that can drive innovation and deliver real results.
Ready to build or scale your AI team in Poland? Get in touch with All IT Club for expert support in sourcing, hiring, and retaining top Polish AI talent. Whether you need a single specialist or a full project team, we’ll guide you through every step.
FAQs
1. What are the most in-demand AI roles in Poland?
The most sought-after AI roles in Poland include Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, Senior AI Engineers, AI Architects, NLP Engineers, and AI Product Owners. Companies also look for specialists in deep learning, computer vision, and MLOps.
2. How much does it cost to hire AI talent in Poland?
Hiring AI teams in Poland is 30–50% more cost-effective than in Western Europe or the U.S. Average salaries for AI specialists range from $5,500–$10,000 per month (USD), depending on the role and experience.
3. Do Polish AI professionals speak English?
Yes, over 90% of Polish AI and IT professionals speak English fluently. Most have experience working on international projects and in global, remote teams.
4. What hiring models can foreign companies use to hire AI teams in Poland?
You can hire AI talent in Poland via direct employment (UoP), B2B contracts, Employer of Record (EOR), or through IT outsourcing and Try & Hire models. Each offers flexibility and compliance for global companies.
5. How long does it take to hire an AI specialist in Poland?
On average, it takes 4–8 weeks to hire an AI professional in Poland, though top talent is often available for only 2–3 weeks before accepting an offer. Speed and clear communication are crucial.
6. What are the common challenges when hiring AI teams in Poland?
Challenges include short candidate availability, high global competition for talent, job title confusion, and reaching passive candidates who do not apply directly.
7. What benefits and perks are expected by AI specialists in Poland?
Polish AI professionals expect benefits such as private health insurance, Multisport cards, remote or hybrid work, upskilling budgets, and performance bonuses.
8. Is it possible to hire remote AI teams in Poland?
Yes, most AI talent in Poland are experienced with remote and hybrid work. Many companies successfully build distributed AI teams with Polish specialists.
