Pay & working terms · Tanzania
Construction pay: contractor class changes the minimum
Before comparing a construction wage, identify the contractor classification relevant to the employer. Job-site size alone does not prove it.
| Category | TZS per month | PDF page |
|---|---|---|
| Construction: class I | 515,000 | 7 |
| Construction: classes II, III and IV | 464,500 | 7 |
| Construction: classes V, VI and VII | 398,500 | 7 |
Mainland private sector. These are statutory minimums for the listed categories, not average salaries or take-home pay. They are not a Zanzibar or public-service pay table, and a contract can pay more.
Choose the right category
The Order groups construction into class I, classes II to IV, and classes V to VII. These floors are not trade-specific rates for masons, electricians or quantity surveyors. A specialist rate must come from an actual offer or agreement.
Questions to settle before accepting
Ask who employs you if a subcontractor is involved, who records attendance, what happens between projects and which tools or PPE are supplied. Clarify overtime and site travel separately.
Make a fair comparison
Place the contractor class beside the monthly amount, then list the project duration. A one-month engagement and an ongoing role cannot be compared only by the biggest displayed number.
Sources
Checked 23 September 2026. Each figure keeps the period and scope of its source.