Minimum Wage Calculator South Africa 2026

National minimum wage is R30.23 per hour effective 1 March 2026. Calculate your minimum daily, weekly and monthly earnings — and check if you are being paid fairly.

South Africa's National Minimum Wage sets the legal floor below which no worker may be paid. This calculator uses the current 2026 rate to show your minimum earnings for any work pattern — and lets you check whether what you are being paid meets the legal minimum.

Calculate Your Minimum Earnings

Determines your minimum hourly rate
Ordinary hours — not including overtime
Your regular working days
Leave blank if you just want the minimum
Minimum hourly rate
R 0.00
Per hour
Minimum daily
R 0.00
Per day
Minimum weekly
R 0.00
Per week
Minimum monthly
R 0.00
Gross (before tax)
Minimum hourly rate R 0.00
Daily minimum (0 hrs) R 0.00
Weekly minimum (0 hrs) R 0.00
Monthly minimum (× 4.333 weeks) R 0.00
Overtime rate (1.5×) R 0.00 / hr
Annual minimum earnings R 0.00

2026 National Minimum Wage — All Categories

Standard / Domestic / Farm
R30.23 / hr
Effective 1 March 2026
EPWP Workers
R16.62 / hr
Expanded Public Works Programme
Previous rate (2025)
R28.79 / hr
Increased 5% from March 2026

Source: National Minimum Wage Act No. 9 of 2018 — Government Gazette No. 54075, effective 1 March 2026.

South Africa's National Minimum Wage — 2026 Update

South Africa's National Minimum Wage (NMW) is set at R30.23 per ordinary hour worked, effective 1 March 2026. This rate was announced by the Minister of Employment and Labour on 3 February 2026 in Government Gazette No. 54075, and represents a 5% increase from the previous rate of R28.79 per hour.

The NMW is the legal floor below which no employer may pay any worker in South Africa. It applies to all employment sectors — full-time, part-time and casual workers alike. An employer who pays below the NMW is in breach of the National Minimum Wage Act No. 9 of 2018 and may face enforcement action, penalties and a back-pay order.

What the 2026 Rate Means in Practice

Work pattern Hours/week Weekly minimum Monthly minimum
Part-time (4 hrs/day, 5 days)20 hrsR 604.60R 2,619.19
Standard (8 hrs/day, 5 days)40 hrsR 1,209.20R 5,239.87
BCEA standard (9 hrs/day, 5 days)45 hrsR 1,360.35R 5,893.60
Six-day week (8 hrs/day, 6 days)48 hrsR 1,451.04R 6,287.84

Who Does the Minimum Wage Apply To?

The NMW applies to all employees in South Africa — with very limited exceptions. The NMW Act defines an employee broadly and includes part-time workers, casual workers, temporary workers and home-based workers.

Domestic Workers — Now at Full NMW

Domestic workers are entitled to the full NMW of R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026. Their rate was brought in line with the standard NMW in 2022, closing a historical gap where domestic workers were paid at a lower rate. This means cleaning staff, nannies, gardeners and housekeepers all earn the same minimum as other workers.

Employers of domestic workers should be aware of an important deduction rule: if accommodation is provided, the employer may deduct a maximum of 10% of the worker's wage for that accommodation — not the full value of the accommodation.

Farm Workers — Also at Full NMW

Farm workers are equally entitled to R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026. Like domestic workers, their rates were aligned with the national minimum in 2022. The BCEA provides additional protections for farm workers including access to housing and the 4-week notice period from 6 months of service.

EPWP Workers — Separate Rate

Workers employed under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) fall under a separate rate of R16.62 per hour from 1 March 2026, up from R15.83. The EPWP covers government-funded public works projects and has its own legislative framework that justifies the separate rate.

Step-by-Step Minimum Wage Calculation

How much should a domestic worker who works 6 hours a day, 5 days a week earn per month?

/* Step 1 — Daily minimum */ R30.23 × 6 hours = R181.38 per day /* Step 2 — Weekly minimum */ R181.38 × 5 days = R906.90 per week /* Step 3 — Monthly minimum (× 4.333) */ R906.90 × 4.333 = R3,929.70 per month /* Step 4 — Overtime rate (1.5×) */ R30.23 × 1.5 = R45.35 per hour overtime

Am I Being Paid Fairly?

Enter your current hourly wage in the calculator above and it will instantly tell you whether you are being paid at, above, or below the national minimum wage. If you are being paid below the minimum, you have the right to raise this with your employer — and if unresolved, to refer a dispute to the CCMA free of charge.

Keep in mind that the NMW is a floor, not a target. Many South African workers — and most formal sector employees — earn well above the minimum wage. The NMW exists to protect the most vulnerable workers in informal, casual and domestic employment where bargaining power is lowest.

History of the South African Minimum Wage

Year Hourly rate Increase
2019 (introduction)R20.00—
2020R20.76+3.8%
2021R21.69+4.5%
2022R23.19+6.9%
2023R25.42+9.6%
2024R27.58+8.5%
2025R28.79+4.4%
2026 (current)R30.23+5.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage in South Africa in 2026?
R30.23 per ordinary hour worked, effective 1 March 2026. This applies to all workers including domestic workers and farm workers. Workers on the Expanded Public Works Programme receive R16.62 per hour.
What is the minimum monthly salary in South Africa?
There is no fixed minimum monthly amount — the minimum wage is set per hour. At R30.23/hour on a standard 45-hour week, the monthly minimum is approximately R5,893.60. On a 40-hour week it is approximately R5,239.87. These are gross amounts before any deductions.
Does minimum wage apply to domestic workers?
Yes. Domestic workers are entitled to the full NMW of R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026. Their rates were aligned with the national standard in 2022. If you employ a domestic worker, you must also register them for UIF and contribute 1% of their wage alongside the employee's 1% contribution.
What happens if I am paid below minimum wage?
Paying below the NMW is illegal. You can raise it with your employer first. If unresolved, you can refer a dispute to the CCMA free of charge. The employer may be ordered to pay the shortfall plus a penalty of up to twice the underpaid amount. You can also report non-compliance to the Department of Employment and Labour.
When is the minimum wage updated?
The NMW is reviewed annually and typically increases on 1 March each year. The announcement is usually made in early February via Government Gazette. We update this calculator as soon as the new rate is officially gazetted.

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Read our full guide: Domestic Worker Rights in South Africa — R30.23/hr minimum wage, UIF, leave and employer obligations under SD7.

Disclaimer: This calculator reflects the National Minimum Wage of R30.23 per hour effective 1 March 2026 as gazetted in Government Gazette No. 54075. Sectoral minimum wages (e.g. Contract Cleaning, Wholesale and Retail) may be higher than the NMW floor. Always verify current rates at the official Department of Employment and Labour website. This tool does not constitute legal advice. Read full disclaimer →