Introduction
Is switching to the IT industry later in life possible and worthwhile? More and more professionals with experience outside of technology are asking themselves this question. The dynamic growth of the IT sector and attractive salaries tempt specialists from other fields to take on the challenge of reskilling. Research shows that more than half of working Poles aged 30–59 are considering a career change, and every second person in this group is thinking about entering the IT sector – with women expressing such intentions more often than men. At the same time, nearly 48% of respondents perceive entering IT as a difficult challenge. In this article, we will examine the current reality of the Polish IT job market – from the demand for specialists, through popular pathways into the industry and potential salaries, to the challenges and barriers facing people in their 30s or 40s who are planning such a career change.
Demand for IT Specialists in Poland
For several years, the Polish IT market has struggled with a shortage of qualified professionals, although the situation is changing dynamically. According to analyses by the Polish Economic Institute, in 2022 the country lacked around 25,000 IT specialists. As many as 42% of vacancies in the technology sector were considered difficult to fill. This shows that the demand for experienced IT experts exceeds supply, which is consistent with estimates for the entire EU (already in 2019 more than half of IT roles were considered hard to recruit for).
At the same time, recent years have brought fluctuations in the number of job offers, especially at junior levels. After a boom period (driven by mass hiring and the popularity of coding bootcamps), 2023 saw a noticeable slowdown. The number of job postings in IT dropped – JustJoin.it published around 130,000 offers in 2023, and only about 100,000 in 2024. The decline largely affected beginners: the share of junior offers fell from ~5.4% to ~4.8% of all postings. The market is maturing and becoming more demanding – companies prefer to invest in experienced seniors (already over half of sought-after candidates). Despite the temporary “slowdown” in 2023, the long-term trend still points to strong demand: in Q4 2024 the number of offers increased again by 22% compared to the same period the previous year, and forecasts for 2025 suggest further recovery.
It is also worth noting that the IT industry is becoming increasingly diverse – companies are looking for more than just programmers. While in 2024 one in five offers still concerned a backend developer (and purely programming roles accounted for ~36.6% of all postings), demand for other roles is growing: data analysis, system administration, cybersecurity, AI, product management, etc. For example, the Security category saw a 39% increase in job postings in 2024, and Data/BI – a 34% increase year-over-year. The shortage of talent affects many specializations, not just coding.
Paradoxically, the shortage of experienced specialists coexists with strong competition at the junior level. On average, 44 people applied for a single IT job posting in 2024 (compared to 40 a year earlier). Some entry paths are especially crowded – for instance, in Frontend, one offer attracted an average of 149 candidates. This is partly due to the decrease in junior openings in frontend (-20% y/y) and the rise of low-code/AI tools, but it shows that competition for the first job in IT is currently very high. On the other hand, mid/senior positions also saw an increase in applications (e.g. +37% for regular-level candidates in 2024 vs. 2023), which may indicate greater caution and lower turnover among specialists. Nevertheless, career changers must be aware that **“entering IT” requires solid preparation and standing out among many other applicants. ** Popular Pathways into the IT Industry
There are many ways for people from outside the sector to enter the IT industry. Below are the most popular entry paths, along with their specifics:
Computer science studies (full-time or part-time) – A traditional, academic way to acquire knowledge. Provides strong theoretical foundations and a diploma valued by employers. Disadvantages include the long duration (3–5 years) and often theoretical curricula that may lag behind market needs. Still, more than two-thirds of current IT specialists in Poland hold higher education degrees (39% with a master’s/engineering degree), showing that for many people, university was their entry ticket into the industry. Notably, around 54% of IT professionals completed IT-related degrees, but 34% graduated from other STEM fields, and 21% from entirely different disciplines. This means that many people entered IT despite studying something else, supplementing their skills independently.
Programming courses and bootcamps – Intensive, months-long training programs focused on practical skills (e.g. web development, testing, data science). Bootcamps have become very popular in recent years because they promise quick preparation for a first job in IT. In Poland, coding schools admit around 3,000 students annually, which is about 10% of the number of people starting computer science studies. Bootcamps boast high effectiveness – for example, one school (Kodilla) reported that 75% of graduates using its career support found an IT job within three months of completing the course (usually as Junior Web Developers). Most participants are 25–40 years old, seeking a fast transition. The advantages are hands-on learning with mentors and a shorter training cycle (~6 months of intensive study instead of several years at university). Downsides include high cost, fast learning pace, and no guaranteed employment – despite promises, bootcamp graduates often need significant additional effort to secure a job in a competitive market.
Self-learning (self-taught) – In the age of the internet, many people learn programming and other IT skills on their own using free tutorials, online courses (Udemy, Coursera, YouTube), or documentation. This path requires discipline and motivation but is the least expensive. You can learn at your own pace while working your current job. The challenge is the lack of a formal certificate – a self-taught career changer must prove their skills through a project portfolio, open-source contributions, or industry certifications. Many well-known programmers are self-taught – in IT, practical skills matter most. Moreover, 8% of Polish IT specialists declared they studied but did not complete their degree – likely because they found IT jobs while still studying, showing the value of self-learning and practice.
Postgraduate studies and specialist courses – For people who already have higher education in another field, a one-year postgraduate program in IT (e.g. testing, data analysis, AI, cybersecurity) may be a good idea. These programs are fee-based but typically taught by experienced practitioners and focused on quickly gaining specific skills. For example, the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology offers postgraduate studies in cybersecurity (e.g. preparing for security testing roles) or AI and Big Data. Postgraduate programmes usually last two semesters and are designed for working adults (e.g. weekend classes). This is a good option if you want solid knowledge backed by a university certificate, without committing to full studies.
Internships or company training programs – Some large IT companies run internship programs or junior academies, open also to career changers and bootcamp graduates. Such internships (often with symbolic pay or on contract work) help gain first commercial experience and often lead to full-time offers. Competition is high and the selection process demanding, but if you get in, it’s an excellent opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues and build your CV.
Entry through “near-IT” roles – IT is not just developers. People from other industries sometimes start with roles that combine their existing expertise with technology. For example, finance or logistics specialists may become IT business analysts in companies building software for those sectors. Someone with project management experience may pursue a Project Manager role in IT (though knowledge of software development processes is needed). Software testing (QA) is also a popular entry path – analytically minded people can start with manual testing and gradually learn automation. Testing is often seen as a slightly easier entry point than development, although today good testers should know basic coding (scripts, SQL) and have their own certification paths (e.g. ISTQB). Testers make up about 14% of the IT community in Poland, and many people begin their careers in QA.
In summary, the path to IT should match your preferences, learning style, and available time/finances. There is no single correct route – the key is gaining practical skills and demonstrating them through projects. Combining methods works well: self-learning + a short targeted course + a portfolio. It's also worth engaging with communities (forums, groups, IT meetups) – networking can help you find your first opportunity.
IT Salaries vs. Career Path and Experience
One of the reasons why so many people consider switching to IT is the attractive salaries in the industry. Indeed, even beginners can expect competitive pay compared to many other sectors, and earnings increase exponentially with experience.
1 Junior developers on employment contracts earn on average ~4,500–5,500 PLN net in their first job, although rates can be higher on B2B contracts (e.g. ~8,000 PLN net on invoice for starting contractors). 2 Salary ranges for seniors vary strongly by specialization. According to the No Fluff Jobs 2024 report, the upper median B2B rates for experienced IT Architects reach 31,900 PLN net (+VAT), and around 28,000 PLN gross on employment contracts. In areas such as ERP, Security, DevOps, AI, Data/BI, the highest salaries typically fall in the 20,000–29,000 PLN net (B2B) or 14,000–23,000 PLN gross (UoP) ranges. For comparison, a Senior Developer earns around 20–21k PLN net on B2B according to medians, and a Senior Tester around 17k PLN net.
As shown, the differences between junior–mid–senior levels are substantial. Estimates indicate that each promotion (e.g. junior to mid, mid to senior) increases pay by +50–70%. For example: a beginner developer may start at ~5k PLN net, but after a few years as a mid-level engineer earn 8–12k, and at senior level 15–20k+ PLN (especially on B2B, preferred by many specialists). The IT industry rewards experience – companies are willing to pay very high rates for experts who can deliver significant value.
Salaries also differ by specialization path. Developers typically earn more than testers at the same seniority (e.g. median for mid testers was significantly lower than for mid developers in 2023). Meanwhile, specialists in data, DevOps, or cybersecurity enjoy salary premiums – these fields are more niche and require unique skills, pushing compensation upward (in 2024, offers in AI, Security, DevOps, and Data recorded some of the highest median salaries and continued growth). Location matters too – the highest salaries are in Warsaw and other major cities, though remote work is reducing these differences.
Note: The amounts listed are net invoice values (B2B) or take-home pay (employment contract). The IT industry often uses net/B2B rates. The figures illustrate general ranges. Actual earnings may be lower or higher depending on the company, project, and skills. Nevertheless, the trend is clear: even at the entry level, IT offers solid salaries, and within a few years can provide income far above the national average. This is a strong motivator for people considering retraining – especially those who have hit a salary ceiling in their current fields.
Challenges and Barriers When Switching to an IT Career (Age 30+)
Deciding to change careers after many years in another field comes with numerous challenges. Being 30+ or 40+ is not an obstacle in itself – it is never too late to learn and grow – but mature professionals often need to overcome certain psychological, organizational, and market-related barriers:
Life responsibilities and limited time: People in their 30s and 40s usually have more obligations – a full-time job, family, children, loans. Learning new programming skills or doing an internship often requires a significant time investment, which is harder to manage than it is for a young student. One must be ready for evenings filled with tutorials, weekend hackathons, or juggling courses with a day job. This is a considerable organizational and emotional burden – as many career guides note, switching careers after 30 requires courage and good everyday logistics. Studies show that the entire career transition process takes on average around 11 months of intensive effort – nearly a year of hard work before reaching the goal.
Steep learning curves: Entering IT involves mastering many new competencies – programming languages, tools, and methodologies (e.g., Git, Agile). For someone who has spent a dozen years in another field, returning to the role of a beginner can be frustrating. Especially if someone has been an expert in their field for years, it may be difficult to accept being a junior again, needing to ask younger colleagues for help. Additionally, many people fear the “hard” aspects of IT – they worry they won’t handle math or algorithms. In the Future Collars study, as many as 48% of potential career changers rated acquiring IT skills as difficult, with women particularly worried about advanced technical and mathematical knowledge, and the need to know English. These fears can be overcome – but doing so requires a mindset shift and patience with oneself during the learning process.
Competition and risk of few job offers: As mentioned earlier, the junior IT job market is crowded. One may put significant effort into reskilling only to then spend months searching for a first job. In extreme cases, bootcamp graduates send out hundreds of CVs before receiving an interview invitation – especially if they target popular roles (e.g., front-end developer). It’s important to be aware that the first job may not come right away. This creates financial stress (it’s wise to have savings for the learning and job-search period) and emotional strain (handling rejection, staying persistent). Choosing a specialization strategically can help – for example, considering less crowded paths like automated testing, data engineering, or DevOps, where there tend to be slightly fewer candidates than in the overcrowded front-end field (149 CVs per front-end opening is extremely high). Nonetheless, one must be prepared for strong competition and continuous upskilling, even after landing the first job.
Mental barriers and possible biases: Although IT is considered relatively meritocratic (skills matter more than age), people 40+ may worry about being judged through the lens of age. Developer teams are mostly young – according to the Bulldogjob report, only 12% of Polish IT professionals are 40 or older. A new junior in their mid-40s can be a rarity, which may cause discomfort on both sides. There may also be (often unconscious) age biases among recruiters – e.g., concerns about whether such a person will keep up with a dynamic startup culture, accept being managed by someone younger, or avoid clinging to old habits. However, mature age can be an advantage: people in their 30s–40s are usually more disciplined, stress-resistant, and have strong soft skills and business experience, which can set them apart from younger competitors. Many employers appreciate such candidates for their maturity, stability, and perspective beyond the purely technical bubble. In fact, 9 out of 10 people who changed careers after 30 say they are satisfied with the decision – showing that fears often fade once the transition is made.
Financial and professional risks: Changing careers often means taking a step back in position and salary – at least at the beginning. Someone with a decade or more of experience may have developed a comfortable salary, stability, and recognition. Entering IT, they will likely start as a junior with a lower income than before (even though IT pays well, the starting point may be comparable to or even lower than the later stages of their previous career). There is also the loss of career continuity – such as several months off for learning or working below one’s qualifications while gaining experience. All of this is an investment in the future, but one must consider whether they are prepared for it. There is also a risk that IT simply won’t suit you – some people, drawn by the vision of high salaries, later discover they dislike the nature of the work (e.g., long hours at the computer, time-consuming debugging, the fast pace of technological change). This can lead to disappointment. Before going all-in, it’s worth “testing” IT – for example, trying a trial course, talking to people in the industry, or working on a small project – to get a realistic sense of the job.
In summary, switching to IT in your 30s or 40s is a big challenge, but absolutely achievable. It requires planning, determination, and support from your environment (family, mentors). The key is mindset: treating learning as an investment in yourself, not an obligation. Many people’s stories show that mature age can be an advantage, and once you land your first job – even if it takes time – it can open the door to a highly rewarding career.
Who Benefits Most from Switching to IT?
A career change into IT is not a universal solution for everyone – but in some situations, it can be a perfect fit. Here is a profile of people for whom such a change tends to work well, and those who may struggle the most:
Switching to IT can be especially beneficial for:
People from declining or high-risk industries: If you work in a sector with worsening prospects (e.g., parts of traditional manufacturing, industries disrupted by automation, low-paid service jobs), switching into the fast-growing IT sector can provide more stable employment and development opportunities. Technology continues to grow faster than many other sectors, offering more opportunities for advancement.
Those who are passionate about technology: People who genuinely enjoy gadgets, programming, or data analysis tend to thrive in IT. If you code as a hobby at night, automate Excel at work, build websites for friends, or assemble your own PCs – these are strong signs of internal motivation and natural aptitude. Passion makes learning easier and helps you persist through challenges.
People with analytical thinking and a desire for continuous learning: IT requires a particular mindset – step-by-step problem solving, patience in debugging, and readiness for constant learning (technologies evolve nonstop). If you enjoy learning, reading, experimenting, and aren’t intimidated by the idea of learning new things for the rest of your career, IT may suit you well. Your previous experience – even from outside tech – likely gave you valuable soft skills (teamwork, communication, time management), which combined with technical knowledge make you a strong candidate.
Workers who have hit a “glass ceiling” in their current career: Perhaps you’ve reached your limits in your field and have been stuck at the same level for years, with no prospects for growth or better pay. IT offers a kind of career “second life” – new paths, dynamic companies, international projects. If you feel stagnant and tired of your industry, reskilling may bring back motivation and enthusiasm.
Entrepreneurial and creative people: Tech values innovation. If you have ideas and enjoy building solutions that improve life or business, IT skills give you the tools to make them real. People in their 30s and 40s often bring a unique perspective, such as knowledge of real-world business problems, which combined with technology enables them to create better products. An IT career may even pave the way for launching your own projects or startups later.
Switching to IT may be difficult (or less sensible) for:
People motivated solely by the vision of high salaries: Yes, IT salaries are excellent, but the path to them can be long and difficult. If someone lacks genuine interest in technology and is drawn only by money, they may quickly lose motivation when faced with demanding learning curves and competition. Without authentic curiosity and satisfaction in the work, burnout may come quickly, despite the high pay. You risk spending a year reskilling only to discover that you dislike the job.
People resistant to learning and change: IT is for those who can learn continuously. If someone has the mindset “I want one profession for life and don’t want to learn anything new,” they will struggle immensely in the dynamic world of technology. Changing careers requires leaving your comfort zone – without willingness to do so, it may be better to develop further in your current field or choose a path that requires less intensive reskilling.
People expecting immediate results: An IT career is a marathon, not a sprint. If you expect that after a 3-month course you will instantly get your dream job paying 15k, you may be disappointed. Bootcamp graduates often continue intense self-study and portfolio building for another six months before landing an offer. Patience and humility are crucial. For some, the lack of quick results can be discouraging – it is important to set realistic expectations and not give up too soon.
People who already hold very senior positions in another field: If you have 20 years of experience and are, for example, a finance director, moving to a junior developer role can be a major shock – both mentally and financially. Such transitions do happen (for example, senior professionals moving into data science by leveraging financial analytics), but the higher you are in your current hierarchy, the harder it is to start from scratch elsewhere. In such cases, it may be better to combine competencies – e.g., becoming an IT project leader within your industry rather than retraining into pure programming.
People who dislike computer-based or remote work: It may sound trivial, but IT involves many hours a day in front of a screen, often in isolation (especially when working from home). If someone prefers active, physical work or constant in-person interaction and dislikes sitting at a desk, the IT lifestyle may not suit them. Before switching, think about whether the typical work style of a programmer or analyst is something you’d enjoy long-term.
Summary: Switching to an IT career is a decision that should be made thoughtfully but without excessive fear. The tech sector in Poland still offers many opportunities – despite short-term slowdowns, there is a long-term shortage of specialists, and demand will grow as digitalization expands across all areas of the economy. People with experience in other sectors can bring fresh perspectives and valuable skills to IT, while also benefiting from what the sector offers (high salaries, remote work, innovation). The average age of career change today is around 39, proving that it is no longer an option only for the very young. If you feel this direction is right for you – make a plan, stay patient, and take action. After dedicating a year or two to learning, you may look back in 10 years and see this decision as one of the best of your life, opening the door to a new and exciting career in the IT world.
Sources: The statistics and data used in the article come from current market reports (No Fluff Jobs, Just Join IT, Bulldogjob) and studies such as “Reskilling Through the Eyes of Poles” by Future Collars.