Minimum wage in South Africa in 2026

R30.23 per hour¹

per hourGeneral rate since March 1, 2026

Next change

No scheduled increase on record.

Since 2019Full history

Weekly, 40 hoursR1,209.20

Monthly, 52 weeks ÷ 12R5,239.87

Annual, 2,080 hoursR62,878.40

Overtime, 1.5×R45.35

Year 2026

Rates in force during 2026

Applies to	Rate	Effective	Until
Standard Source The Minister of the Department of Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhosazana Meth has announced an upward adjustment of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates for 2025 from R27,58 to R28,79 for each ordinary hour worked. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Annual adjustment under NMW Act s 6(5) (GN R.5830, GG 52053 of 4 Feb 2025, scanned). Date: 'binding from 1 March 2025'. Verified September 26, 2026	R28.79March 1, 2025 – March 1, 2026	March 1, 2025	March 1, 2026
Standard Source: GN R.7083, Government Gazette 54075 of 3 February 2026 (NMW Act s 6(5)) 1. Subject to item 2, the national minimum wage is R30,23 for each ordinary hour worked. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes NMW Act Sch. 1 item 1 as substituted by GN R.7083. Binding date 'fix the 1 March 2026' in the preamble. Verified September 26, 2026	R30.23March 1, 2026 – current	March 1, 2026	current

9 rates in force

Rates by worker type, industry and employer size

The highest rate that fits the job applies.

Applies to	Rate	Effective
All industries
Workers employed on an Expanded Public Works Programme Source: GN R.7083, Government Gazette 54075 of 3 February 2026 (NMW Act s 6(5)) (c) workers employed on an expanded public works programme are entitled to a minimum wage of R16,62 per hour; and Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes EPWP workers, Sch. 1 item 2(c). Binding date 'fix the 1 March 2026' in the preamble. Verified September 26, 2026	R16.62/ hourMarch 1, 2026	March 1, 2026
Agriculture
Standard Source: GN R.7083, Government Gazette 54075 of 3 February 2026 (NMW Act s 6(5)) (a) farm workers are entitled to a minimum wage of R30,23 per hour; Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Farm workers, Sch. 1 item 2(a). Binding date 'fix the 1 March 2026' in the preamble. Verified September 26, 2026	R30.23/ hourMarch 1, 2026	March 1, 2026
contract cleaning
Area A (metropolitan councils and listed local councils) Source: GN R.7083, Government Gazette 54075 of 3 February 2026 (NMW Act s 6(5)) Rate per hour Rate per week Rate per month Rate per hour Rate per hour Rate per week Rate per month R33,27 R1497,15 R6487,15 BCCCI rates apply R30,33 R1364,85 R5913,90 Weekly rate is based on a 45-hour working week. Monthly rate is based on 4.333 weeks. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Sectoral Determination 1: Contract Cleaning. Area A = metropolitan councils City of Cape Town, Greater East Rand Metro, City of Johannesburg, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela and local councils Emfuleni, Merafong, Mogale City, Metsimaholo, Randfontein, Stellenbosch, Westonaria; Area B (all of KwaZulu-Natal) follows the BCCCI bargaining council agreement; Area C = rest of the RSA. Binding date 'fix the 1 March 2026' in the preamble. Verified September 26, 2026	R33.27/ hourMarch 1, 2026	March 1, 2026
Area A (metropolitan councils and listed local councils) Source: GN R.7083, Government Gazette 54075 of 3 February 2026 (NMW Act s 6(5)) Rate per hour Rate per week Rate per month Rate per hour Rate per hour Rate per week Rate per month R33,27 R1497,15 R6487,15 BCCCI rates apply R30,33 R1364,85 R5913,90 Weekly rate is based on a 45-hour working week. Monthly rate is based on 4.333 weeks. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Weekly rate based on a 45-hour week. Sectoral Determination 1: Contract Cleaning. Area A = metropolitan councils City of Cape Town, Greater East Rand Metro, City of Johannesburg, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela and local councils Emfuleni, Merafong, Mogale City, Metsimaholo, Randfontein, Stellenbosch, Westonaria; Area B (all of KwaZulu-Natal) follows the BCCCI bargaining council agreement; Area C = rest of the RSA. Binding date 'fix the 1 March 2026' in the preamble. Verified September 26, 2026	R1,497.15/ weekMarch 1, 2026	March 1, 2026
Area A (metropolitan councils and listed local councils) Source: GN R.7083, Government Gazette 54075 of 3 February 2026 (NMW Act s 6(5)) Rate per hour Rate per week Rate per month Rate per hour Rate per hour Rate per week Rate per month R33,27 R1497,15 R6487,15 BCCCI rates apply R30,33 R1364,85 R5913,90 Weekly rate is based on a 45-hour working week. Monthly rate is based on 4.333 weeks. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Monthly rate based on 4.333 weeks. Sectoral Determination 1: Contract Cleaning. Area A = metropolitan councils City of Cape Town, Greater East Rand Metro, City of Johannesburg, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela and local councils Emfuleni, Merafong, Mogale City, Metsimaholo, Randfontein, Stellenbosch, Westonaria; Area B (all of KwaZulu-Natal) follows the BCCCI bargaining council agreement; Area C = rest of the RSA. Binding date 'fix the 1 March 2026' in the preamble. Verified September 26, 2026	R6,487.15/ monthMarch 1, 2026	March 1, 2026
Area C (rest of South Africa outside Area A and KwaZulu-Natal) Source: GN R.7083, Government Gazette 54075 of 3 February 2026 (NMW Act s 6(5)) Rate per hour Rate per week Rate per month Rate per hour Rate per hour Rate per week Rate per month R33,27 R1497,15 R6487,15 BCCCI rates apply R30,33 R1364,85 R5913,90 Weekly rate is based on a 45-hour working week. Monthly rate is based on 4.333 weeks. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Sectoral Determination 1: Contract Cleaning. Area A = metropolitan councils City of Cape Town, Greater East Rand Metro, City of Johannesburg, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela and local councils Emfuleni, Merafong, Mogale City, Metsimaholo, Randfontein, Stellenbosch, Westonaria; Area B (all of KwaZulu-Natal) follows the BCCCI bargaining council agreement; Area C = rest of the RSA. Binding date 'fix the 1 March 2026' in the preamble. Verified September 26, 2026	R30.33/ hourMarch 1, 2026	March 1, 2026
Area C (rest of South Africa outside Area A and KwaZulu-Natal) Source: GN R.7083, Government Gazette 54075 of 3 February 2026 (NMW Act s 6(5)) Rate per hour Rate per week Rate per month Rate per hour Rate per hour Rate per week Rate per month R33,27 R1497,15 R6487,15 BCCCI rates apply R30,33 R1364,85 R5913,90 Weekly rate is based on a 45-hour working week. Monthly rate is based on 4.333 weeks. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Weekly rate based on a 45-hour week. Sectoral Determination 1: Contract Cleaning. Area A = metropolitan councils City of Cape Town, Greater East Rand Metro, City of Johannesburg, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela and local councils Emfuleni, Merafong, Mogale City, Metsimaholo, Randfontein, Stellenbosch, Westonaria; Area B (all of KwaZulu-Natal) follows the BCCCI bargaining council agreement; Area C = rest of the RSA. Binding date 'fix the 1 March 2026' in the preamble. Verified September 26, 2026	R1,364.85/ weekMarch 1, 2026	March 1, 2026
Area C (rest of South Africa outside Area A and KwaZulu-Natal) Source: GN R.7083, Government Gazette 54075 of 3 February 2026 (NMW Act s 6(5)) Rate per hour Rate per week Rate per month Rate per hour Rate per hour Rate per week Rate per month R33,27 R1497,15 R6487,15 BCCCI rates apply R30,33 R1364,85 R5913,90 Weekly rate is based on a 45-hour working week. Monthly rate is based on 4.333 weeks. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Monthly rate based on 4.333 weeks. Sectoral Determination 1: Contract Cleaning. Area A = metropolitan councils City of Cape Town, Greater East Rand Metro, City of Johannesburg, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela and local councils Emfuleni, Merafong, Mogale City, Metsimaholo, Randfontein, Stellenbosch, Westonaria; Area B (all of KwaZulu-Natal) follows the BCCCI bargaining council agreement; Area C = rest of the RSA. Binding date 'fix the 1 March 2026' in the preamble. Verified September 26, 2026	R5,913.90/ monthMarch 1, 2026	March 1, 2026
domestic work
Standard Source: GN R.7083, Government Gazette 54075 of 3 February 2026 (NMW Act s 6(5)) (b) domestic workers are entitled to a minimum wage of R30,23 per hour; Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Domestic workers, Sch. 1 item 2(b). Binding date 'fix the 1 March 2026' in the preamble. Verified September 26, 2026	R30.23/ hourMarch 1, 2026	March 1, 2026

2019 to 2026

History

Each step is a rate row with its own quoted source.

R0R10R20R30R40201920202021202220232024202520262027TodayR20.00R30.23

Show the history as a table

Applies to	Rate	Effective	Until
Standard Source The Minister of the Department of Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhosazana Meth has announced an upward adjustment of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates for 2025 from R27,58 to R28,79 for each ordinary hour worked. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Annual adjustment under NMW Act s 6(5) (GN R.5830, GG 52053 of 4 Feb 2025, scanned). Date: 'binding from 1 March 2025'. Verified September 26, 2026	R28.79March 1, 2025 – March 1, 2026	March 1, 2025	March 1, 2026
Standard Source Employment and Labour Minister T.W Nxesi has announced a new National Minimum Wage (NMW) determination from R25,42 to R27,58 for each ordinary hour worked. The new NMW will come into effect from 1 March 2024. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Annual adjustment under NMW Act s 6(5) (GN R.4331, GG 50073 of 2 Feb 2024, scanned). Date: 'will come into effect from 1 March 2024'. Verified September 26, 2026	R27.58March 1, 2024 – March 1, 2025	March 1, 2024	March 1, 2025
Standard Source: National Minimum Wage Commission annual review report, GN 4168, Government Gazette 49835 of December 2023 This report is focused on the labour market impact of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) increase that became effective on the 1st of March 2023. The updated minimum wage was set at R25.42/hour – a nominal increase of 9.6% from the previous year – and applies to all employees in South Africa. Source agency page snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes General NMW from 1 March 2023 (GN 3069, GG 48094 of 21 Feb 2023, scanned). Date: 'the 1st of March 2023'. Verified September 26, 2026	R25.42March 1, 2023 – March 1, 2024	March 1, 2023	March 1, 2024
Standard Source Employment and Labour Minister, TW Nxesi, announces that the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for each ordinary hour worked has been increased from R21,69 to R23.19 for the year 2022 with effect from 01 March 2022. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Annual adjustment under NMW Act s 6(5). Date: 'with effect from 01 March 2022'. Verified September 26, 2026	R23.19March 1, 2022 – March 1, 2023	March 1, 2022	March 1, 2023
Standard Source Employment and Labour Minister TW Nxesi has announced that the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for each ordinary hour worked has been increased from R20,76 to R21,69 for the year 2021 with effect from 01 March 2021. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Annual adjustment (GN R.76, GG 44136 of 8 Feb 2021). Date: 'with effect from 01 March 2021'. Verified September 26, 2026	R21.69March 1, 2021 – March 1, 2022	March 1, 2021	March 1, 2022
Standard Source The new rate for the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for each ordinary hour worked will now be R20.76. In terms of a notice as published in the Government Gazette and signed by Employment and Labour Minister, T.W Nxesi the new rate will be applicable on 01 March 2020. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Annual adjustment under NMW Act s 6(5) (GN 43026 of 17 Feb 2020). Date: 'will be applicable on 01 March 2020'. Verified September 26, 2026	R20.76March 1, 2020 – March 1, 2021	March 1, 2020	March 1, 2021
Standard Source: National Minimum Wage Act 9 of 2018, Schedule 1 (GG 42060, GN 1303 of 27 November 2018) 1. Subject to item 2, the national minimum wage is R20 for each ordinary hour worked. Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes NMW Act 9 of 2018 Sch. 1 item 1. In force 1 January 2019: the Act leaves the date to presidential proclamation; the Department's statements of 24 Feb 2020 (za-del-nmw-2020) and 9 Feb 2021 (za-del-nmw-2021) state 'came into effect on 01 January 2019'. Verified September 26, 2026	R20.00January 1, 2019 – March 1, 2020	January 1, 2019	March 1, 2020

Earlier rules by employer size, worker type and condition (21)

Applies to	Rate	Effective	Until
All industries
Workers employed on an Expanded Public Works Programme Source However, because of special dispensation under which they are hired workers employed on expanded public works programme are entitled to a minimum wage increase of R15,83 from R15,16 per hour. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes EPWP workers. (The 2026 statement za-del-nmw-2026 says the EPWP rate rises 'from R15,16'; this 2025 statement and the scheme say R15,83 applied from 1 March 2025.) Date: 'binding from 1 March 2025'. Verified September 26, 2026	R15.83March 1, 2025 – March 1, 2026	March 1, 2025	March 1, 2026
Workers employed on an Expanded Public Works Programme Source However, the workers employed on an expanded public works programme are entitled to a minimum wage of R15,16 per hour from R13,97. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes EPWP workers. Date: 'will come into effect from 1 March 2024'. Verified September 26, 2026	R15.16March 1, 2024 – March 1, 2025	March 1, 2024	March 1, 2025
Workers employed on an Expanded Public Works Programme Source The percentage increase for farmworkers and domestic workers will translate to R25,42 per hour, whilst the EPWP will be R13,97 for the same duration. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes EPWP workers. Statement dated 22 Feb 2023 says 'The increase will take effect from March 01.' (no year in the sentence; year from the statement date; GG 48094 of 21 Feb 2023 is scanned). Verified September 26, 2026	R13.97March 1, 2023 – March 1, 2024	March 1, 2023	March 1, 2024
Workers employed on an Expanded Public Works Programme Source Workers employed on an expanded public works programme are entitled to a minimum wage of R12.75 per hour; Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes EPWP workers. Date: 'with effect from 01 March 2022'. Verified September 26, 2026	R12.75March 1, 2022 – March 1, 2023	March 1, 2022	March 1, 2023
Workers employed on an Expanded Public Works Programme Source Workers on expanded public works programme are entitled to R11,93 per hour Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes EPWP workers. Date: 'with effect from 01 March 2021'. Verified September 26, 2026	R11.93March 1, 2021 – March 1, 2022	March 1, 2021	March 1, 2022
Workers employed on an Expanded Public Works Programme Source Workers employed on an expanded public works programme will receive a minimum wage of R11.42 per hour. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes EPWP workers. Date: 'will be applicable on 01 March 2020'. Verified September 26, 2026	R11.42March 1, 2020 – March 1, 2021	March 1, 2020	March 1, 2021
Workers employed on an Expanded Public Works Programme Source: National Minimum Wage Act 9 of 2018, Schedule 1 (GG 42060, GN 1303 of 27 November 2018) (c) workers employed on an expanded public works programme are entitled to a minimum wage of R11 per hour from a date ﬁxed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette; and Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes EPWP workers, NMW Act Sch. 1 item 2(c). In force 1 January 2019: the Act leaves the date to presidential proclamation; the Department's statements of 24 Feb 2020 (za-del-nmw-2020) and 9 Feb 2021 (za-del-nmw-2021) state 'came into effect on 01 January 2019'. Verified September 26, 2026	R11.00January 1, 2019 – March 1, 2020	January 1, 2019	March 1, 2020
Agriculture
Standard Source The Minister of the Department of Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhosazana Meth has announced an upward adjustment of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates for 2025 from R27,58 to R28,79 for each ordinary hour worked. South Africa introduced the implementation of the National Minimum Wage Act In 2019. In terms of the policy instrument, this obligates employers to pay workers a minimum amount per hour. The National Minimum Wage is subject to annual review and increases annually from 1 March. Application of the National Minimum Wage The National Minimum Wage amendment is enforced by law and binding from 1 March 2025. Violations of the Act are subject to fines. The National Minimum Wage determination Includes vulnerable sectors such as farm workers and domestic workers, whom since 2022, were aligned with the NMW rates. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Farm workers: 'aligned with the NMW rates'. Date: 'binding from 1 March 2025'. Verified September 26, 2026	R28.79March 1, 2025 – March 1, 2026	March 1, 2025	March 1, 2026
Standard Source Employment and Labour Minister T.W Nxesi has announced a new National Minimum Wage (NMW) determination from R25,42 to R27,58 for each ordinary hour worked. The new NMW will come into effect from 1 March 2024. The National Minimum Wage determination also includes the vulnerable sectors of farm workers and the domestic workers – whom since 2022 were aligned with the NMW rates. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Farm workers: 'aligned with the NMW rates' (same figure as the general NMW). Date: 'will come into effect from 1 March 2024'. Verified September 26, 2026	R27.58March 1, 2024 – March 1, 2025	March 1, 2024	March 1, 2025
Standard Source The percentage increase for farmworkers and domestic workers will translate to R25,42 per hour, whilst the EPWP will be R13,97 for the same duration. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Farm workers. Statement dated 22 Feb 2023 says 'The increase will take effect from March 01.' (no year in the sentence; year from the statement date; GG 48094 of 21 Feb 2023 is scanned). Verified September 26, 2026	R25.42March 1, 2023 – March 1, 2024	March 1, 2023	March 1, 2024
Standard Source Farmworkers are entitled to a minimum wage of R23.19 per hour; Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Farm workers. Date: 'with effect from 01 March 2022'. Verified September 26, 2026	R23.19March 1, 2022 – March 1, 2023	March 1, 2022	March 1, 2023
Standard Source Following a transitional phase, the farm worker sector has been aligned with the NMW rate of R21,69 per hour. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Farm workers aligned with the general NMW from 1 March 2021. Date: 'with effect from 01 March 2021'. Verified September 26, 2026	R21.69March 1, 2021 – March 1, 2022	March 1, 2021	March 1, 2022
Standard Source In terms of the new determination farmworkers are entitled to a minimum wage of R18.68 per hour, Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Farm workers. Date: 'will be applicable on 01 March 2020'. Verified September 26, 2026	R18.68March 1, 2020 – March 1, 2021	March 1, 2020	March 1, 2021
Standard Source: National Minimum Wage Act 9 of 2018, Schedule 1 (GG 42060, GN 1303 of 27 November 2018) (a) farm workers are entitled to a minimum wage of R18 per hour from a date ﬁxed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette; Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Farm workers, NMW Act Sch. 1 item 2(a). In force 1 January 2019: the Act leaves the date to presidential proclamation; the Department's statements of 24 Feb 2020 (za-del-nmw-2020) and 9 Feb 2021 (za-del-nmw-2021) state 'came into effect on 01 January 2019'. Verified September 26, 2026	R18.00January 1, 2019 – March 1, 2020	January 1, 2019	March 1, 2020
domestic work
Standard Source The Minister of the Department of Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhosazana Meth has announced an upward adjustment of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates for 2025 from R27,58 to R28,79 for each ordinary hour worked. South Africa introduced the implementation of the National Minimum Wage Act In 2019. In terms of the policy instrument, this obligates employers to pay workers a minimum amount per hour. The National Minimum Wage is subject to annual review and increases annually from 1 March. Application of the National Minimum Wage The National Minimum Wage amendment is enforced by law and binding from 1 March 2025. Violations of the Act are subject to fines. The National Minimum Wage determination Includes vulnerable sectors such as farm workers and domestic workers, whom since 2022, were aligned with the NMW rates. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Domestic workers: 'aligned with the NMW rates'. Date: 'binding from 1 March 2025'. Verified September 26, 2026	R28.79March 1, 2025 – March 1, 2026	March 1, 2025	March 1, 2026
Standard Source Employment and Labour Minister T.W Nxesi has announced a new National Minimum Wage (NMW) determination from R25,42 to R27,58 for each ordinary hour worked. The new NMW will come into effect from 1 March 2024. The National Minimum Wage determination also includes the vulnerable sectors of farm workers and the domestic workers – whom since 2022 were aligned with the NMW rates. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Domestic workers: 'aligned with the NMW rates' (same figure as the general NMW). Date: 'will come into effect from 1 March 2024'. Verified September 26, 2026	R27.58March 1, 2024 – March 1, 2025	March 1, 2024	March 1, 2025
Standard Source The percentage increase for farmworkers and domestic workers will translate to R25,42 per hour, whilst the EPWP will be R13,97 for the same duration. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Domestic workers. Statement dated 22 Feb 2023 says 'The increase will take effect from March 01.' (no year in the sentence; year from the statement date; GG 48094 of 21 Feb 2023 is scanned). Verified September 26, 2026	R25.42March 1, 2023 – March 1, 2024	March 1, 2023	March 1, 2024
Standard Source Domestic workers are entitled to a minimum wage of R23.19 per hour; Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Domestic workers aligned with the general NMW from 1 March 2022. Date: 'with effect from 01 March 2022'. Verified September 26, 2026	R23.19March 1, 2022 – March 1, 2023	March 1, 2022	March 1, 2023
Standard Source The domestic workers sector will be entitled to R19,09 per hour and could be expected to be aligned with the NMW when the next review is considered. Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Domestic workers, still below the general NMW in 2021. Date: 'with effect from 01 March 2021'. Verified September 26, 2026	R19.09March 1, 2021 – March 1, 2022	March 1, 2021	March 1, 2022
Standard Source Domestic workers are entitled to a minimum wage of R15.57 per hour, Source press release snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Domestic workers. Date: 'will be applicable on 01 March 2020'. Verified September 26, 2026	R15.57March 1, 2020 – March 1, 2021	March 1, 2020	March 1, 2021
Standard Source: National Minimum Wage Act 9 of 2018, Schedule 1 (GG 42060, GN 1303 of 27 November 2018) (b) domestic workers are entitled to a minimum wage of R15 per hour from a date ﬁxed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette; Source statute snapshot September 26, 2026 Notes Domestic workers, NMW Act Sch. 1 item 2(b). In force 1 January 2019: the Act leaves the date to presidential proclamation; the Department's statements of 24 Feb 2020 (za-del-nmw-2020) and 9 Feb 2021 (za-del-nmw-2021) state 'came into effect on 01 January 2019'. Verified September 26, 2026	R15.00January 1, 2019 – March 1, 2020	January 1, 2019	March 1, 2020

R30.23 / hour

Calculators

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What this wage pays

Hours per week

Gross pay before tax · R30.23
Weekly	R1,209.20
Monthly52 weeks ÷ 12	R5,239.87
Annual52 weeks	R62,878.40
Overtime rate1.5× where overtime applies	R45.35

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Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage in South Africa in 2026?

R30.23 per hour since March 1, 2026. For a 40-hour week that is about R1,209.20 a week or R62,878.40 a year before tax.

Is the minimum wage in South Africa increasing?

No increase is scheduled on record as of October 1, 2026. Inflation-indexed jurisdictions announce the next figure a few months before it takes effect.

1 level of law

How this rate is resolved

The highest minimum that covers the work location applies.

Employers must pay the highest minimum that covers the work location. WageTable checks each level in turn:

South Africa

South Africa sets 10 rules of its own.

Notes on this jurisdiction's rules and sources

National Minimum Wage Act 9 of 2018 (in force 1 January 2019), hourly rate in ZAR adjusted each 1 March by the Minister on the National Minimum Wage Commission's recommendation. Farm and domestic workers started below the general rate (R18 and R15 in 2019); farm workers converged in 2021, domestic workers in 2022. EPWP workers keep a lower rate. Contract cleaning (SD 1) and wholesale and retail (SD 9) sectoral determinations are adjusted in the same notice.

South Africa

Enforcement

Enforced by Department of Employment and Labour.

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