Job Offer in Gliwice at 4000zł – is it enough money?

Cześć! I'm a newly-qualified teacher of English as a second language, with a passion for all things Polish. I've been offered a job at a school in Gliwice, and on the face of it, it looks like a great opportunity.

My question concerns the salary. The guaranteed monthly minimum income is 3000zł, and could go up to 4000zł with overtime. I was in the Małopolska region on holiday back in August, so I already know that, relative to here in the UK, money goes a lot further in Poland. The school provides accommodation at 600zł/month and I figure I'll lose around the same in tax. So, in your opinions, is 1800zł per month a reasonable amount of disposable income in this part of Silesia? I'd like to be able to have at least a few hundred surplus each month, to save up enough over the 10 month contract period to pay back the £1100 I borrowed to do my CELTA English teaching qualification. Any helpful input would be greatly appreciated – I need to make a decision soon! Dziękuje za pomoc :)

1800 of disposable income is enough to save a couple of hundred zloty per month if you are not a big spender

Thanks gumishu. Anybody else have any thoughts? Just wondering what weekly grocery shopping for one will cost – 150zł or so?

For someone who is well established here (family support, friends, place to live) this amount of money would be sufficient but for someone arriving, say, from UK this would be a nearly starving rate, I am afraid.

what I believe disposable income is after paying the monthly bills at least the rent - correct me if I'm worng

You should qualify this figure includes building fees, Gas/Electricty/Water and internet connection.

Your nick does this indicate you are a Thai passport holder( non EU) ?

I asked about utilities, apparently they amount to about 100zł/month. Internet is free on-site.


Thai? No I'm a Brit, born and (sort of) bred ;)

Well, after living here in Poland for just over 2 years. You will "Survive" and survive only. You will have to forget about have the luxuries that you had in the UK. Remember, if you want to leave Poland to retunr to the UK etc, you will have diddly squat to live on. Think hard.

honestly, it isn't a lot of money. You could do better. keep looking or ask for more money. the school probably low balled you.

Although I'm still waiting to be sent the full contract, it does appear that the figure of 3000zł is actually an AFTER TAX amount. So my estimate of 1800zł/month of disposable income is now looking rather low, should be more like 2300. Is it really such a low wage? Wouldn't the average local be on something similar, if not less? I have to say that this has been the highest salary for a school in Poland that I've yet seen advertised, and it's only a minimum, with the possibility of overtime taking potential monthly earnings up to 4000zł. I've seen other teaching jobs advertised at 2600zł/month with no potential for earning more . . .

definitely check it with the school if it is net or gross pay - if it is gross then the money is not enough for a decent living just enough for survival

What? 3000 as a language teacher? I think that is good for Poland. A pharmacist with 5 years education can expect 2500-3000 before tax. (outside Warsaw) Or am I wrong?

I am a student here and spend 1500-2000zl/month + living expenses, but I eat at restaurants several times per week.
I've heard that some Polish students can get by with as little as 50 zl per week, but that means no luxury of course. It all depends on your habits.

Nobody can support themselves with 50zl a week, and the word luxury shouldn't even be in the same sentence. Get real.

Yep.

OP, its crap money, I'd renegotiate. Otherwise, you'll be hooking for extra cash at the train station


In a language school? If a school is open from 16.00-21.00 then how can you possibly do overtime?
They're yanking your cracnk OP. Also don't forget you won't get a cent on public holidays and you won't get any holiday pay.

I hope you renegotiated.

You're not wrong, but as foreigner on his own, his money doesn't go as far as for Poles. I think he can do fine, but Gliwice? Ouch.

Alright, nobody asked this poor soul how many guaranteed contract hours he'll have a month. If it's full time, i.e., 24 hours a week, your salary comes to 26zl/hr net. I don't know about Gliwice, but most teachers make 40zl/hr minimum. And like someone mentioned up above, what do they mean by overtime? Like covering a few classes when someone is sick? How often do you think thats going to happen?

Btw, I'm sure you were told about Gliwice's excellent rail and airport infrastructure that can whisk you away to Krakow or Wroclaw in minutes. Think about it, since when does a city advertise itself by telling you how quickly you can get the hell away from it. And don't expect to be doing any weekend hops here and there on that salary.

Poland have ****** paid standards.