Minimum wage South Africa 2026: R30.23 an hour explained
4 min read · General information, not legal advice
Quick answer
From 1 March 2026 the national minimum wage in South Africa is R30.23 per hour. It applies to most workers, including domestic workers and farm workers.
What that works out to
At 8 hours a day, R30.23 an hour is about R241.84 a day. For a full-time worker on 45 hours a week, that's about R1,360 a week, or roughly R5,894 a month (using the usual 4.333 weeks a month). Always pay for the actual hours worked.
Can I agree to pay less?
No. A contract that pays below the minimum wage is unlawful for the shortfall, even if the worker agrees. The employee can claim the difference through the Department of Employment and Labour or the CCMA.
Put it in writing
The BCEA requires written particulars of employment, including the hourly rate, hours and how pay is calculated. Our employment and domestic worker contracts have a field for each, and our free payslip generator works out UIF.
Free to fill in
Employment Contract (BCEA)
Fill it in online free, preview it as you go, then download Word + PDF from R199.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage per hour in South Africa in 2026?
R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026.
Does the minimum wage apply to domestic workers?
Yes. Domestic workers are entitled to the same national minimum wage as other workers.
Is UIF deducted from the minimum wage?
Yes. The employee's 1% UIF contribution is deducted from gross pay, and the employer pays another 1%.
