Tanzania’s cost-effective labor, strategic location, and time zone advantage make it a promising destination for outsourcing. Companies interested in remote partnerships in the area may wonder, what is the average salary in Tanzania? This information will guide their hiring decisions. 

The average salary in Tanzania is 513,261 Tanzanian shillings (TSH) approximately USD 190. However, you must also consider how wages are influenced by factors such as education, experience, location, position, and industry. Comparing salaries in the country to wages worldwide also provides more insight. 

This guide will explore all aspects of Tanzanian salaries, preparing you for your hiring journey. 

What is the Average Salary in Tanzania?

The average salary in Tanzania is 513,261 TZS, equivalent to approximately $190. Wages in the country are low due to an agriculture-dominated work economy, which results in low-wage positions. There is also a lack of demand for labor from private firms. 

Median Income

The median salary in Tanzania is approximately 400,000 Tanzanian Shillings (TZS), equivalent to around $148. Half of the workers earn higher wages, while the other half earn lower salaries. When comparing average versus median salary, the average salary is substantially higher, likely due to wage inequality in the country. 

Salary Range

The salary range spans from the lowest to the highest wages in the country. Low earners in Tanzania earn approximately 150,000 TZS per month, equivalent to about $55, while high earners can earn close to 1,000,000 TZS, roughly $371. 

Wage Growth Trends in Tanzania

Tanzania is committed to improving workers’ welfare, particularly in the public sector. President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced a significant 35.1% increase in the minimum wage for public officials, raising the monthly minimum from TZS 370,000 to TZS 500,000, effective July 2025. 

This decision underscores the government’s recognition of workers’ contributions and improved economic performance, with a GDP growth reaching 5.5% in 2024 and expected to reach 6% in 2025, according to the International Monetary Fund.

For the private sector, the Minimum Wage Board is actively conducting an evaluation aimed at improving minimum wage levels. The government is putting in a great effort to ensure wages keep pace with economic growth and the cost of living for all workers.

Historically, Tanzania’s minimum wages have shown gradual improvements. The average wage was around TZS 44,615 per month from 2013 to 2025, peaking at TZS 60,000 in 2023. 

This is a very good economic performance that provides the fiscal space for wage adjustments and supports a general upward trend in salaries across various sectors. Dynamic sectors like ICT, energy, and mining are particularly fueling this economic transformation, which can translate into higher demand and potentially higher wages for skilled labor in these areas.

Compensation levels reflect the country’s economic landscape, cost of living, and specific industry demands. For employers, it helps in making competitive offers and salary negotiations for employees.

As of mid-2025, a general overview of salaries in Tanzania is influenced by factors such as industry, experience, education, and location.

The gross monthly salary range for individuals working in Tanzania extends from 588,484 TZS, or approximately 228 USD, as a minimum salary, to 2,065,198 TZS, or 800 USD, as the highest average. Breaking down salaries by experience level:

Years of ExperienceAverage Monthly Gross Salary (TZS)
0–2 years937,205
2–5 years1,257,83
5–10 years1,418,916
10–15 years1,514,567
15–20 years1,655,753
20+ years1,811,765

Salary Comparisons in Tanzania

The average salary provides some insight, but wages vary based on factors such as education, experience, location, industry, and position. The following sections will explore how they impact earnings. 

Industry Salary Comparison

The following salary comparison chart illustrates the variation in wages by profession. 

Position Average Monthly Salary (TZS)
Chief Executive Officer 4,251,950
IT Director 3,350,460
Call Center Director 3,232,070
Finance Manager 2,798,640
Business Development Manager 2,765,950
IT Architect 2,701,180
Lead Developer 2,667,190
Head of Product Development 2,606,200
Finance Manager (duplicate) 2,603,100
IT Manager 2,520,000
Fabric Cutter 461,009
Clothing Technologist 458,129
General Laborer 454,158
Packer 444,601
Seamstress 415,437
Porter 394,587
Medical Records Clerk 392,850
Tailor 388,258
Social Counselor 375,599

Average Salary in Tanzania Based on Education

Education has a significant impact on earnings, as workers with higher levels of education tend to earn more than those with lower levels of education. In Tanzania, education is viewed as a potential solution to the country’s poverty. Educated workers are typically in the top 75th percentile of earnings. 

Salary Comparison by Experience

Experience also directly relates to higher earnings, as experienced workers earn more than entry-level workers. Employees can also qualify for raises based on their expertise in their field. This situation is particularly relevant in Tanzania, especially in high-paying industries. 

For example:

  • Cybersecurity experts with 3-5 years of experience earn an average annual salary of 10-15 million Tanzanian Shillings (TZS).
  • Cybersecurity experts with 5 years of experience or more earn an average annual salary between 15 million and 25 million Tanzanian Shillings (TZS).

Salary Comparison by Location

Location is another factor to consider when determining wages. Workers in urban areas tend to earn higher salaries due to higher living costs and proximity to large companies offering high-paying job opportunities. In Tanzania, workers in urban centers, such as Dar es Salaam, earn more than those in rural areas, as the infrastructure supports a more diverse range of industries that offer higher salaries than the agricultural sector. 

What is the Minimum Wage in Tanzania?

As of 1 January 2026, Tanzania’s minimum wage varies by sector ranging from TZS 175,000 ($64) per month in agriculture to TZS 765,900 ($280) for international companies in sectors like energy and mining. These rates set the minimum legal floors for private-sector employees, and employers must comply to avoid penalties. Wages may be higher depending on contracts or agreements, and the monthly amounts generally reflect a full-time 45-hour workweek.

Gender Pay Gap in Tanzania

The gender pay gap is a global challenge, and while specific, unadjusted figures for Tanzania’s overall gender pay gap are not prominently published by its national statistics office in 2025, some reports still provide some insights.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025 indicates that the global gender gap score for all 148 economies stands at 68.8% closed. Sub-Saharan Africa, as a region, ranks sixth globally, having achieved a gender parity score of 68.0%. 

The region displays a wide range of parity outcomes, with some economies performing better than others. One of the four key sub-indices in the Global Gender Gap Index, the global gap has only closed by 61.0%. This sub-index includes metrics related to labor force participation, wage equality, and income earned, which directly reflect pay gaps.

Tanzania is undoubtedly making economic progress, but the persistence of a gender pay gap highlights the ongoing need for initiatives that promote equal opportunities, address wage disparities, and encourage women’s participation in higher-paying sectors or leadership roles.

Cost of Living and Purchasing Power in Tanzania

Tanzania’s cost of living is lower than in many Western economies. But it still poses challenges for average earners. Managing daily expenses can be difficult for many households, even with recent wage adjustments in some sectors.

Tanzania’s headline inflation rate has remained relatively stable and within the government’s target range of 3-5%. In June 2025, headline inflation stood at 3.3%, a slight increase from 3.2% in May 2025. This stability is largely attributed to effective policy interventions and efforts to enhance food supply chains.

Despite the overall stable inflation, food inflation has shown a sharp rise, reaching 5.6% in May 2025 and remaining a significant concern at 3.5% in June 2025. This is driven by supply chain disruptions and price spikes in staple foods like rice, maize flour, and cassava. Given that food and non-alcoholic beverages constitute up to 28.2% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket, rising food prices disproportionately impact low-income households.

For an average Tanzanian earning a monthly net salary of approximately 700,000 TZS, covering expenses can be challenging. Estimated monthly costs, excluding rent, are about 1,240,012.40 TZS for a single person and 4,293,375.00 TZS for a family of four. This means that a single person’s monthly costs exceed the average salary by 78.8%, and for a family of four, these costs are over six times the average salary.

Rent and childcare are particularly burdensome expenses. For example, a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center averages 454,074.67 TZS, or 65.5% of the average net salary. Basic utilities like electricity and water can add around 168,125 TZS.

Dar es Salaam is one of the most expensive cities to live in Tanzania, due to being the financial hub and largest city of the country. The estimated monthly costs in this city for a family of four are 4,859,712.3 TZS, excluding rent.

The discrepancy between average salaries and the cost of living shows a significant affordability gap. While the government has been taking steps like increasing public sector minimum wages, the data suggests that for a considerable portion of the population. Single-income households or families, in particular, with the current income levels, may be insufficient to cover basic living expenses. 

It leads to reduced purchasing power and challenges in maintaining a decent standard of living. Employers need to consider the real cost of living when determining competitive salary packages in Tanzania for new positions.

Average Salary in Tanzania vs. the Rest of the World

The following charts compare salaries in Tanzania to wages in developed, developing, and least developed countries, providing more insight. 

Tanzania vs. Developed Countries

Country Average Salary Comparison to Average Tanzania Salary
United Kingdom 3,000 euros (approx. $3,116) – 1532%
United States $5,677 – 2900%
Norway 50,790 kroner (approx. $4,700) – 2373%
Germany 4,300 euros (approx. $4,467) – 2263%
Austria 3,500 euros (approx. $3,636) – 157%

Tanzania vs. Developing Countries

Country Average Salary Comparison to Average Tanzania Salary
Romania 4,000 RON (approx. $835) – 342%
Russia 73,709 Rubles (approx. $700) – 268%
Albania 1,500 Euros (approx. $1,550) – 715%
Kazakhstan 342,082 Tenge (approx. $645) – 242%
Ukraine 18,000 Hryvnia (approx. $500) – 163%

Tanzania vs. Undeveloped Countries

CountryAverage SalaryComparison to Average Tanzania Salary
Thailand97,500 Baht (approx. $2772)– 100%
Philippines18,423 PHP (approx. $875)– 268%
Vietnam8.5 million dong (approx. $360)– 89%
Egypt13,244 EGP (approx. $263)– 36%
Pakistan45,000 PKR (approx. $150)– 26%

Tanzania is a developing country with a lower-middle-income economy. Although it has made progress in recent years, it still faces challenges in achieving its developmental goals. Major industries include agriculture, services, and tourism. 

The country is a promising outsourcing destination due to a growing economy and a favorable business environment. It offers an increasing pool of skilled workers with high English proficiency. Labor costs are significantly lower than those in developed countries, resulting in cost savings for employers.

What are the Most Common Outsourced Industries in Tanzania?

Employers who outsource to Tanzania will see the most benefits when hiring in the following industries. 

IT Services

Tanzania boasts a thriving tech industry, driven by its young population and government support. The country is home to over 54 innovation hubs fostering entrepreneurship in various IT sectors. The increase in startups supports investments in the industry.

IT technicians in Tanzania earn around 3,000,000 TZS, approximately $ 1,115, while American workers earn closer to $ 5,000 on average, potentially resulting in significant cost savings for employers. 

BPO

Tanzania offers an emerging BPO market with a focus on call center services and IT outsourcing. The industry also includes accounting, HR consulting, ;lrtfjk data analysis. The government recognizes the importance of growth in this sector and has taken steps to encourage its development. 

With a vast range of services within the sector, it’s challenging to conduct a cost savings comparison. However, employers can save significantly when outsourcing for backend services.

Manufacturing

Although Tanzania’s manufacturing sector is relatively small, accounting for just 8% of the country’s GDP, it is growing rapidly. It primarily produces consumer products, including food, beverages, textiles, and basic metal products. The government actively promotes industrial development through various initiatives like the establishment of Special Economic Zones and Export Processing Zones. 

Conclusion

Tanzania’s cost-effective labor and skilled workforce make it a promising destination for outsourcing. Employees who hire in the area can benefit from reduced expenses and access to superior products and services, while also helping workers overcome poverty, resulting in a mutually favorable situation for everyone involved.