Working in Mauritius requires carefully calibrating your salary expectations and targeting the right sectors.
To give you a quick overview: in the large companies (10 employees or more), the average monthly salary observed by Statistics Mauritius reaches Rs 45,794 in March 2025 (all sectors combined).(statsmauritius.govmu.org) THE national minimum wage (full-time) was raised to Rs 16,500 from January 2024 (amount including 2024 salary compensation).(mra.mu)
This article reviews the salary benchmarks, THE sectors that are recruiting and the key points (permits, contracts, negotiations) to ensure the success of your project work in Mauritius. For comprehensive support (visas/permits, relocation, real estate, business creation), you can also consult Expat Mauritius.(mra.mu)
Overview of the job market in Mauritius
The Mauritian economy is largely service-oriented (finance, ICT, administrative support, tourism), with a significant industrial and construction base. Over the past year, Statistics Mauritius has observed (in large companies) an increase in total employment between March 2024 And March 2025, as well as an increase in the number of foreign workers.(statsmauritius.govmu.org)
- Employment (large companies) : 308,169 in March 2025 (compared to 304,649 in March 2024).(statsmauritius.govmu.org)
- Foreign workers (large companies) : 28,157 in March 2025 (compared to 26,598 in March 2024).(statsmauritius.govmu.org)
- Sectors experiencing employment growth (over the period): public administration, finance/insurance, commerce, accommodation/food service.(statsmauritius.govmu.org)
In terms of languages, English and French are omnipresent in the company, and Mauritian Creole facilitates integration on a daily basis (without always being essential depending on the position).
Salaries in Mauritius: reliable benchmarks (minimum, average, differences by sector)
The minimum wage and compensation mechanisms (benchmarks 2024–2025)
The national minimum wage in Mauritius is a good “floor” for understanding the bottom of the wage scale. According to a press release issued by the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA), the National Minimum Wage payable to full-time employees has been increased to Rs 16,500 per month starting in January 2024 (Rising including salary compensation 2024).(mra.mu)
For 2025, the MRA also indicates a salary compensation fixed (from January 2025) at Rs 610 per month for a full-time employee earning up to Rs 50,000 monthly basic salary (according to the terms specified by the administration).(mra.mu)
Key points to remember: In Mauritius, several systems may coexist (minimum wage, compensation, allowances/adjustments). For up-to-date information, always check official announcements and your payslip.
The national average (large companies): a useful indicator… to be interpreted
Statistics Mauritius publishes an annual survey on employment and income in the large companies (10 or more employees). According to the edition March 2025, The average monthly salary (across all sectors) is Rs 45,794.(statsmauritius.govmu.org)
This figure is a average It varies considerably depending on the sector, seniority, qualifications, the nature of the position (operational vs. managerial), and the type of employer (e.g., Export Oriented Enterprises). The survey also provides an average for Rs 32,832 for large companies in the sector EOE in March 2025.(statsmauritius.govmu.org)
Table – Average monthly salaries by sector (March 2025)
The table below helps you identify the highest paying sectors (and those where wage pressure is highest), based on a public source: the Statistics Mauritius report “SEE – March 2025”.(statsmauritius.govmu.org)
| Sector (large companies) | Average monthly salary (Rs) – March 2025 | Quick read |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity / gas / steam / air conditioning | 79 493 | Among the highest (technical, regulated, capital-intensive positions).(statsmauritius.govmu.org) |
| Finance and insurance | 70 711 | Highly competitive (banking, insurance, compliance, risk, audit).(statsmauritius.govmu.org) |
| Real estate | 64 555 | Good average level (support functions + sales/management profiles).(statsmauritius.govmu.org) |
| Scientific and technical professions | 63 488 | Often driven by qualified profiles (consulting, engineering, professional services).(statsmauritius.govmu.org) |
| Information & communication (ICT) | 61 446 | One of the best “demand/evolution” pairs (IT, data, cybersecurity).(statsmauritius.govmu.org) |
| Health & Social Action | 50 813 | Solid level, depending on the institution (public/private) and specialty.(statsmauritius.govmu.org) |
| Construction | 42 012 | Variable depending on the profession (construction site vs. engineering/management).(statsmauritius.govmu.org) |
| Accommodation & catering (tourism) | 35 890 | Highly dependent on positions, schedules, service charge/benefits.(statsmauritius.govmu.org) |
| Manufacturing (industry) | 33 777 | Significant differences depending on sub-sector (e.g. sugar vs. textiles).(statsmauritius.govmu.org) |
| Administrative support (including some BPO) | 29 068 | Rather low on average, but opportunities for multilingual/supervisory profiles.(statsmauritius.govmu.org) |
To view the full source: report Statistics Mauritius – Survey of Employment and Earnings in Large Establishments (March 2025).(statsmauritius.govmu.org)
Key sectors that are recruiting in Mauritius (and how to position yourself within them)
Finance, insurance, compliance (KYC/AML), auditing
The Mauritian financial sector is a historical pillar: banking, insurance, corporate services, compliance. Public data shows a high average salary in finance & insurance in large companies (March 2025).(statsmauritius.govmu.org)
- Desired profiles : compliance, risk, audit, finance analyst, actuarial, corporate services.
- Good reflex : highlighting certifications, professional English, regulatory rigor.
ICT / digital (IT, data, cybersecurity)
Tech jobs are among the best positioned in terms of average remuneration (category “Information and communication”).(statsmauritius.govmu.org) To maximize your chances, target service/product oriented companies, and value skills that are directly “sellable” (cloud, security, data engineering, QA automation).
- Desired profiles : developers, DevOps, data, cyber, product, level 2/3 support.
- Differentiation portfolio, GitHub, quantified achievements (latency, costs, availability).
Tourism & Hospitality
Tourism remains a major source of employment. Average salaries are often lower than in finance/IT, but packages can include benefits (meals, transportation, service charge depending on the establishment). The "Accommodation and food service activities" category is at Rs 35,890 on average (March 2025, large companies).(statsmauritius.govmu.org)
Construction, real estate, related support functions
Between construction sites, development, and real estate services, there are operational and coordination positions. On average, construction accounts for Rs 42,012 (March 2025, large companies) and real estate in Rs 64,555.(statsmauritius.govmu.org)
Industry (manufacturing) and export
Industry remains a key driver, particularly through certain export sectors. As of March 2025, manufacturing is projected to be... Rs 33,777 on average (large companies), with notable differences by sub-sector (e.g. sugar, textiles, agri-food).(statsmauritius.govmu.org)
Administrative services / BPO (contact centers, back office)
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and administrative services are often accessible, particularly for bilingual/trilingual profiles. The average for "Administrative and support service activities" is Rs 29,068 (March 2025, large companies).(statsmauritius.govmu.org) The fastest changes generally depend on quality (supervision, quality, training, team management).
Working in Mauritius as an expat: permits, conditions and points to consider
To legally engage in paid work in Mauritius, the subject of residence permit/license is central (and must be anticipated before taking up the position). The rules evolve: therefore, one must reason with thresholds and one method, not just with “hearsay”.
Occupation Permit (and recent developments: salary threshold, new provisions)
Legal analyses indicate that the minimum wage threshold for eligibility for a Occupation Permit has been reduced to Rs 22,500 (reform mentioned in the context of the Finance Act 2024).(mondaq.com)
Furthermore, institutional/expert actors have communicated on the introduction of a Expert Occupation Permit (EOP) intended for highly qualified profiles, with a validity of up to 10 years, and the possibility of applying for permanent residence under certain conditions (including a minimum monthly base salary in the years preceding the application, according to EY).(ey.com)
Deposit times and route
On the “work permit” side (separate legal framework), a reform cited by specialists indicates that some applications submitted via the national electronic system (NELS) may have modified processing rules, with a reduced timeframe (e.g., a reduction from 30 to 21 working days for certain provisions).(mondaq.com)
Practical tip: Before negotiating a “net” salary or signing, check (i) the category of permit sought, (ii) the declared base salary, (iii) the duration/renewal and (iv) the expected supporting documents.
Contract, hours, leave: the essentials you need to know
Annual leave (legal benchmark)
Mauritian law provides for annual leave: for example, the Employment Rights Act mentions an entitlement to 20 business days annual leave after 12 consecutive months with the same employer (subject to conditions and depending on the category of worker).(mauritiuslii.org)
Recent developments: right to disconnect, work time organization
Legislative updates have been relayed by HR/insurance stakeholders: introduction of a right to disconnect and adjustments to certain forms of leave, with effective dates mentioned in 2024.(global.lockton.com) There is also a framed week option on four days (subject to conditions, including agreement/notice), introduced via 2023–2024 budgetary measures, according to a WTW analysis.(wtwco.com)
How to find a job in Mauritius: a simple (and effective) method
- Target 2–3 sectors maximum (e.g., finance + compliance, or IT + data) to avoid dispersion.
- Tailor your CV in local format: clear, achievement-oriented, with tools/technologies and language level.
- Take care of LinkedIn (explicit title, keywords, measurable achievements, recommendations).
- Use the right channels : local job boards, agencies, direct applications.
- Keep an eye out for offers on portals like MyJob.mu (categories by sectors and regions).(myjob.mu)
- Network “locally” : professional events, former colleagues, expat communities (without neglecting Mauritian contacts).
- Anticipate the permit : ask very early on what documents the employer expects and what basic salary will be declared.
Negotiating your compensation package effectively in Mauritius: beyond salary
To compare two offers, look at the overall package, in particular:
- Health insurance (coverage level, beneficiaries, exclusions); ;
- Transportation (or allowance); ;
- Accommodation (or housing allowance) depending on your situation; ;
- Bonus, 13th month, commissions (if applicable); ;
- Taxation The scale and budgetary measures may change. Analyses (e.g., PwC/WTS) mention a simplification from the scale July 1, 2025 (3 brackets: 0%, 10%, 20%), and an additional contribution for very high incomes. Always check the version applicable to your tax year.(wts-advisory.com)
If you want to take your installation project further, you can browse the expatriation guides from Expat Mauritius.
FAQ – Working in Mauritius
What salary should I aim for to live comfortably while working in Mauritius?
There is no single "ideal" salary: it all depends on where you live, your lifestyle (car, school, leisure activities), and your family situation. A useful benchmark for comparison is the average salary in large companies: Rs 45,794/month in March 2025 (all sectors), with some sectors significantly above (finance/insurance, IT) and others below (administrative support, part of tourism).(statsmauritius.govmu.org) Use this average as a starting point, then adjust according to your profession and expenses.
Which sectors are recruiting the most in Mauritius in 2025–2026?
At the level of large companies, Statistics Mauritius observes employment increases over the period March 2024 → March 2025 in public administration, finance/insurance, trade and accommodation and food services.(statsmauritius.govmu.org) In practice, the most "portable" opportunities for international profiles are often found in finance (compliance/risk), digital (IT/data), certain support functions, and the real estate/construction ecosystem. The best choice depends on your experience and your ability to quickly demonstrate added value.
Is it possible to work in Mauritius without an Occupation Permit?
Generally speaking, engaging in paid work in Mauritius requires having the good status (permit/authorization) before starting. The exact requirements vary depending on whether you are an employee, self-employed, or investor, and according to the applicable regulations. Recent changes have been reported, particularly regarding the income threshold for eligibility (cited in Rs 22,500 (within the framework of the Finance Act 2024) and on new schemes for qualified profiles.(mondaq.com) To avoid any risk, validate your category and your file before signing and taking up the position.
Where can I find reliable job offers for Mauritius?
- local platforms, (
- LinkedIn, (
- career sites of groups present in Mauritius, (
- Recruitment agencies. One example of a local portal is MyJob.mu, which categorizes job offers (finance, IT, BPO, tourism, etc.) and by region. (myjob.mu) Then, filter using a simple grid: clear description, reasonable salary/benefits, location, and especially the employer's ability to assist with the permit process if you are a non-citizen.
And now ?
If your goal is to land a work in Mauritius While securing everything else (permits/visas, housing, schools, banking/insurance, or even starting a business), the challenge is to coordinate the process and avoid costly mistakes. You can learn more about our comprehensive support and request a free assessment via Expat Mauritius.
