South Africa Minimum Wage 2026: Are You Being Paid Enough?

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) in South Africa increased to R28.79 per hour from 1 March 2026. For domestic workers, the rate is R27.58 per hour. For farm workers, it is R28.79 per hour — the same as the general rate.

What this means in rand terms

At R28.79 per hour, a worker doing 45 hours per week earns R1,295.55 per week, or approximately R5,610 per month before deductions. After UIF (1%) and any other deductions, take-home will be slightly less.

If you are paid monthly, divide your monthly salary by the number of hours you work in a month (typically 195 hours for 45 hours per week × 4.33 weeks). The result must be at least R28.79.

Want to see what lands in your account after deductions? Calculate your take-home pay with our free SARS tax and UIF calculator.

Who is covered

The NMW covers almost all workers in South Africa — employees, domestic workers, farm workers, and workers in learnership programmes. Gig economy workers (Uber, Bolt, delivery drivers) who are treated like employees — with set hours, rules, uniforms, and disciplinary processes — may also be entitled to minimum wage protection under Section 198 of the Labour Relations Act.

What your employer must provide by law

Besides minimum wage, your employer must:

• Give you a payslip every time you are paid showing all deductions
• Register you for UIF and deduct 1% (they also contribute 1%)
• Give you a written contract within the first month
• Not require more than 45 hours per week without written overtime agreement
• Pay overtime at 1.5× your normal rate and Sunday work at 2×
• Provide 21 consecutive days (15 working days) annual leave per year
• Allow 30 days sick leave over every 3-year cycle

What to do if you are underpaid

1. Calculate your hourly rate — divide your weekly pay by the number of hours worked
2. Compare to the minimum — R28.79/hr general, R27.58/hr domestic
3. Keep records — bank statements, payslips, WhatsApp messages, photos

If you are being underpaid, report to the Department of Employment and Labour — it is free and they are required to investigate within 30 days. You can also refer the matter to your sector's bargaining council or the CCMA.

Retaliation for reporting a minimum wage violation is illegal under the Protected Disclosures Act.

Check if you are being underpaid with our free minimum wage calculator →