Driver Salaries in Mozambique 2026: How Much They Earn

A heavy vehicle driver in Mozambique earns, in 2026, between 15.262 and 40.757 MT net per month at the start of their career — and between 20.535 and 49.720 MT with five years of service, according to ranges published by WageIndicator. The final amount depends on the vehicle, routes, and company.

This article is part of the Inademy Guide, where you will find practical answers for every stage of your job search in Mozambique.

The short answer

A driver's salary in Mozambique is not a single figure: it depends on the vehicle category (light, heavy, passenger transport), routes, and company type. The 2026 market ranges published by WageIndicator for heavy goods vehicle drivers are:

General range — 15.262 to 17.053 MT/month, as the minimum and maximum of the reported range.
Entry level — 15.262 to 40.757 net MT per month.
With 5 years of service — 20.535 to 49.720 MT/month, for a 48-hour week.
48-hour week — this is the rule under Article 93 of the Labour Law (Law No. 13/2023, of 25 August); overtime is paid on top.

And a point that drivers ask about a lot: the 19 minimum wages of 2026 do not have a dedicated entry for the transport sector. The minimum that applies to a driver is that of the sector in which their company operates — for example, 10.845 MT in non-financial services or 8.652 MT in civil construction.

Where these numbers come from

The ranges are those published by WageIndicator for Mozambique for heavy goods vehicle drivers. They are market data based on reported salaries — not an official pay scale — and help set expectations: what you earn starting out and how it grows over the years.

Legal minimums are a different story: the minimum wage by sector in 2026 ranges between 4.991,09 and 20.361,43 MT, and no driver can be paid below their company's sector minimum.

What drives up a driver's salary

If you are starting out or thinking of changing companies, these are the factors that push pay up:

Vehicle category — heavy goods and passenger transport pay more than light vehicles; C and D licences open up higher pay brackets.
Long-distance and interprovincial routes — trips to Nampula, Beira, or Tete come with travel and meal allowances that add to the base.
Proven experience — mileage, accident-free years, known routes: this is what separates a 15.000 MT driver from a 40.000 MT driver.
Companies with their own fleet and formal contracts — logistics, mining, and large commercial companies pay above average and include INSS and allowances.
Specialized cargo transport — containers, hazardous cargo, machinery: require training and certification, and pay more.

And direct advice: the salary you see written in the ad is often just the base. Always ask for the total — base, allowances, travel stipends — before accepting.

Public vs. private sector drivers

In the private sector — logistics, trade, mining, construction — salaries are negotiated and follow the WageIndicator market. Larger companies pay more and provide formal contracts; rental transport and small businesses pay less.

In government and state-owned enterprises — where many public transport drivers work — pay follows the Single Salary Scale and company agreements, including statutory allowances. The civil service minimum, in any case, is 8.758 MT since 2023.

Freight truck driving on a Mozambican road

Practical example: what can be included in a driver's salary

This becomes clear with a practical example. A truck driver for a logistics company in Maputo, with three years of experience, category C:

Base salary — 18.000 MT (the amount agreed in the contract).
Meal allowance — the monthly amount defined by the company, added to the base.
Travel allowances — for each route to Nampula or Beira, a fixed daily rate while away from Maputo.
Overtime — paid with the rate increase required by law when the work week exceeds 48 hours.
Safety bonus — in many companies, paid at the end of the year to those who complete the year without accidents or damage.

Add it all up and the monthly total is well above the base. That is why the right question in the interview is not just "how much do you pay?", but also "what are the allowances and travel per diems?".

Driver signing contract documents

How to negotiate your salary as a driver

When the company asks about your expectations, use your facts: years of driving, kilometres, routes you master, accident-free record, and license categories you hold. And use the market range as a reference:

Start with a range, not a single number — "I expect between 18.000 and 22.000 MT" leaves room for negotiation.
Ask about the total package — base salary, allowances, and travel stipends are worth more than a high base pay without extras.
Negotiate working conditions as well — shifts, long routes, days off: in transport, working conditions are worth money.
Ask for a written contract — salary, schedule, and allowances in writing protect you during disputes.

And remember: salary is negotiated within what the company can afford, but never below the sector minimum — which, as we have seen, in 2026 is 10.845 MT in non-financial services.

How Inademy helps you

On Inademy, you create your profile and, once it is ready, you receive new job openings via WhatsApp and email as they appear, without searching every day.

Driver receiving job notification on mobile phone

View current job openings on Inademy and create your free profile. Transport and logistics jobs and mining jobs are where drivers start first — and your technical CV will be ready for these applications.

What increases and decreases a driver's value

In the transport sector, a driver's value increases with experience, specialization, and the size of the vehicle driven.

There are passenger drivers, freight drivers, hazmat drivers, and project drivers. Each specialization has its own pay tier, and project driving pays the highest.

Long shifts, long-distance journeys, and hard-to-reach areas come with allowances that add to the base salary.

Licenses and certifications are decisive. Drivers who master their specialization and maintain a clean driving record advance to supervisory roles and fleet management.

WageIndicator figures show the salary range, which serves as the basis for negotiation. Check the date and source before accepting an offer.

Keep records of your license, specialized training, and mileage log. This track record supports career progression and value in the transport sector.

Employment terms also matter. In project logistics companies, drivers receive accommodation and transport, boosting total earnings above the base position pay.

Drivers with years without accidents, combined with hazmat or project cargo certification, achieve the fastest career progression in the sector.

In practice, combine specialization, a clean license, and a mileage log. This combination drives career growth and increases pay in the transport sector.

Drivers with hazmat and project cargo certifications achieve the fastest progression in the sector and the highest salary.

A well-maintained license also counts, supporting advancement and opening doors to leadership and fleet management roles.

In practice, combine specialization, a clean license, a mileage log, and references. This combination reliably supports progression and raises pay in the transport sector.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a truck driver earn in 2026?

Between 15.262 and 17.053 MT in the WageIndicator market range, with starting positions between 15.262 and 40.757 MT net. With five years of service, the range rises to 20.535 to 49.720 MT per month.

What about light vehicle or taxi drivers?

WageIndicator does not publish a separate range for all driver types; light vehicle drivers tend to earn less than heavy vehicle drivers. The legal minimum depends on the company's sector: 10.845 MT in non-financial services, for example.

Is a driver's salary gross or net?

In the source, only the entry-level range is specified as "net"; the other two do not state whether they are gross or net. What reaches your account is after IRPS and INSS, as with any salary.

Which driving licence categories pay the most?

Category C (heavy goods) and D (passenger transport) open up the highest salary ranges. Category B is the foundation for light vehicles. More categories = more applications and better pay.

Do kilometres count towards the salary?

They count towards negotiation: a driver with 150.000 km on interprovincial routes and zero accidents has leverage to ask for more. Keep a record of routes and kilometres — a technical CV values this.

Where can I find driver vacancies?

On job platforms, in driver WhatsApp groups, and at logistics and transport companies. On Inademy, your profile receives vacancies posted on the platform via WhatsApp and email.

In summary

In 2026, a driver in Mozambique can earn from around 15.000 MT to almost 50.000 MT per month, depending on the vehicle, experience, and company.

The figures come from WageIndicator and include dates and URLs; use them to guide negotiations, without confusing them with the legal minimum—which is set by the company's sector. The next step is yours: apply with a strong CV and the right profile.

Official source: Law No. 13/2023 (Labour Law) is available as a PDF on the website of Mozambique's Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo): official text (PDF).