Minimum Wage
South Africa 2026.
The South African national minimum wage (NMW) is R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026 — a 5.0% increase from the previous rate of R28.79/hour.
✓ Fact-checkedUpdated 1 March 2026Sources: Department of Employment & Labour — NMW notice 2026·Basic Conditions of Employment Act
Key takeaways
- ✓The National Minimum Wage is R30.23/hour from 1 March 2026, applying to all workers including domestic and farm workers.
- ✓This equates to approximately R5,240/month for a standard 40-hour week — below the SARS tax threshold.
- ✓Employers may not pay less than the NMW under any circumstances — it is a criminal offence under the NMW Act.
- ✓The NMW is reviewed annually by the Employment and Labour Minister, typically effective 1 March each year.
National Minimum Wage — 1 March 2026
R30.23
per ordinary hour
Per hour
R30.23
Per day (8h)
R242
Per month*
R5 240
Per year*
R62 878
* Monthly = 173.33 hours/month average (40h/week × 52 weeks ÷ 12). Annual = 2080 hours (40h × 52 weeks).
Minimum wage by worker category
| Category | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| General workers (incl. domestic & farm workers) | R30.23 |
| Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) | R16.62 |
Year-on-year change
Previous rate (March 2025)
R28.79/hr
R4 990/month equiv.
Current rate (March 2026)
R30.23/hr
R5 240/month equiv.
Increase
+5.0%
+R1.44/hr
How the minimum wage has grown since 2019
| Effective date | Hourly rate | Monthly equiv. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 March 2026Current | R30.23 | R5 240 |
| 1 March 2025 | R28.79 | R4 990 |
| 1 March 2024 | R27.58 | R4 780 |
| 1 March 2023 | R25.42 | R4 406 |
| 1 March 2022 | R23.19 | R4 020 |
| 1 March 2021 | R21.69 | R3 760 |
| 1 March 2020 | R20.76 | R3 598 |
| 1 January 2019 | R20.00 | R3 467 |
Monthly equivalent at 173.33 hours/month (40h/week × 52 ÷ 12). Sources: Government Gazette records, Department of Employment and Labour Ministerial Determinations.
How much do you take home on minimum wage?
Use our PAYE calculator to see take-home after tax and UIF deductions.
Data: Effective 1 March 2026 · National Minimum Wage Act — Gazette 50146 · See methodology
What is the National Minimum Wage?
The National Minimum Wage Act (Act 9 of 2018) sets a floor below which no employee in South Africa may legally be paid. It came into effect on 1 January 2019 and is reviewed annually by the Minister of Employment and Labour in consultation with the National Minimum Wage Commission.
The NMW applies to all workers and employers in South Africa, with a small number of exceptions (see below). Domestic workers and farm workers were brought in line with the general NMW from March 2023.
Who is exempt?
The NMW does not apply to members of the National Defence Force, the National Intelligence Agency, the South African Secret Service, and workers who work fewer than 24 hours per month for a single employer. Learners under a formal learnership registered with a SETA receive a weekly allowance set by SARS — not an hourly rate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in South Africa in 2026?
The national minimum wage (NMW) in South Africa is R30.23 per ordinary hour worked, effective from 1 March 2026. This applies to most workers, including domestic workers and farm workers. The EPWP rate is R16.62/hour.
What is the minimum monthly salary in South Africa?
A full-time worker (40 hours/week) on the minimum wage earns approximately R5 240/month gross before tax. At a 45-hour week (the BCEA normal maximum), the gross monthly figure rises to approximately R5 895/month.
Does the minimum wage apply to domestic workers?
Yes — domestic workers have been entitled to the full national minimum wage since March 2023. The current rate of R30.23/hour applies equally to domestic workers, farm workers, and general workers.
When is the minimum wage reviewed?
The NMW is reviewed annually and any increase takes effect on 1 March each year. The Ministerial Determination is gazetted in February. The increase is broadly aligned with CPI inflation.
Can an employer pay less than the minimum wage?
No. Paying below the NMW is illegal under the National Minimum Wage Act (Act 9 of 2018). Workers can report violations to the Department of Employment and Labour. Employers who underpay face fines equal to twice the amount owed, or twice the employee's monthly salary.
Does overtime have to be paid at minimum wage or higher?
Overtime must be paid at 1.5× the normal rate for weekday overtime and 2× for work on Sundays or public holidays — calculated on the worker's actual hourly rate, not the minimum wage.
Source: Government Gazette No. 54075 · Effective 1 March 2026
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