The soldiers took more. The general gets three times as much per day

Pay raises and salaries in the army result directly from the Homeland Defense Act, which guarantees soldiers annual wage adjustments based on the Budget Act. In 2026, the salary of a soldier of the Polish Armed Forces increased by 3%.

The regulations of the Minister of National Defense also changed the situation of soldiers who are not professional soldiers, active and passive reserve soldiers, and soldiers of the Territorial Defense Forces. The new minimum daily rates of basic salary depend on the rank in the military hierarchy.

How much do generals earn? The daily rate is misleading

The lowest rate is traditionally payable to privates and amounts to PLN 182 per day of service – PLN 13 more than in 2025 (PLN 169). Traditionally, generals receive the highest salaries:

• brigadier general – PLN 413,

• major general – PLN 455,

• lieutenant general – PLN 526,

• general (admiral) – PLN 626.

Simple calculations show that a general (admiral) receives 3.4 times more per day than a private, but in the case of high-ranking professional soldiers, the daily rate is not a standard measure of earnings because they receive a monthly salary. In 2026, the monthly basic salary for a general (admiral) ranges from PLN 20,000. PLN to over PLN 22,600 gross. There are currently 129 generals serving in the Polish Army.

Who currently serves in the Polish Army? Soldiers like marriage

The Polish army numbers 220,000. military, of which 156,000 are professional soldiers. The rest are voluntary compulsory military service (DZSW) and Territorial Defense Forces (WOT). 83 percent soldiers are men, and 17 percent – women. The average age of a military man is about 35 years, and for women – 33 years. More than half of the soldiers have secondary education and more than one third have higher education. Nearly half of soldiers (47%) are married, and 44%. has at least one child. A total of 168,701 children are brought up in military families.

By 2039, the Polish army will ultimately consist of 300,000 soldiers in active service and 200,000 reservists.

Private’s salary 2026. How much more does an officer earn?

The salary of a professional private ranges from PLN 6,500 to approximately PLN 7,040 gross per month, also depending on the position held. Numerous allowances are added to this amount, which actually increases earnings – an allowance for long-term military service or a function allowance, a uniform allowance, “separation allowances”, a thirteenth salary, and a special allowance. There are approximately 100,000 privates in the professional Polish army.

Military personnel also receive housing benefits. It is paid monthly to cover accommodation costs. The amount depends on the garrison and ranges from approximately PLN 480 to PLN 1,500. The highest rates are in Warsaw and other large cities.

“Officers constitute 12.6 percent and this is a lower level than in other NATO countries, where the rate is about 20 percent.” – informed the General Staff of the Polish Army.

The daily wage for a second lieutenant is PLN 250, for a lieutenant – PLN 253, and for a captain – PLN 259. In 2026, a major receives PLN 270 per day, a lieutenant colonel – PLN 296, and a colonel – PLN 341. Officers’ salaries start at around PLN 9,000. PLN gross per month.