National Minimum Wage South Africa 2026
The national minimum wage in South Africa is R30,23 for every ordinary hour worked, effective from 1 March 2026. It is the lowest amount your employer may legally pay you, and it applies to almost every worker — including domestic workers and farm workers. Because it is set per hour, this table shows what it works out to for a day, a week and a month at the most common working hours.
Last updated: June 2026 · Effective 1 March 2026 · Source: Department of Employment and Labour
How to Read This Table
The minimum wage is a single hourly figure — R30,23. Everything else in the table is that hourly rate multiplied out: a day is the hourly rate times your daily hours, a week times your weekly hours, and a month is roughly the weekly figure times 4.33. So your own minimum depends on how many hours you actually work. If you are paid a fixed monthly salary, divide it by your monthly hours to check you are not falling below R30,23 an hour.
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National Minimum Wage 2026
| If you are paid by the… | Minimum you must be paid |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hour | R30,23 |
| 8-hour day | R241,84 |
| 9-hour day | R272,07 |
| 40-hour week | R1 209,20 |
| 45-hour week | R1 360,35 |
| Month (40-hour week) | R5 239,46 |
| Month (45-hour week) | R5 894,40 |
Special Categories
| Worker category | Minimum wage 2026 |
|---|---|
| All workers, including domestic & farm workers | R30,23 / hour |
| Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) | R16,62 / hour |
| Workers on a learnership | Set by NQF level (Dept of Employment & Labour) |
Domestic and farm workers were brought up to the full national minimum wage; only EPWP workers, on a special programme, have a lower statutory rate. Learnership allowances are published separately by the Department.
Understanding the National Minimum Wage
The national minimum wage sets a floor that no contract, no matter what it says, may go below. It is reviewed once a year by the National Minimum Wage Commission and the new rate normally takes effect on 1 March. For 2026 it rose from R28,79 to R30,23 an ordinary hour. The figure covers your ordinary hours only — overtime, Sunday and public-holiday work are paid at the higher rates set by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, on top of the minimum.
If you are paid less than the minimum, you can take it up with your employer, report it to the Department of Employment and Labour, or refer the matter for resolution — you do not lose the right to be paid the minimum just because you signed a contract for less. Keep your payslips and a record of the hours you work, because the minimum is measured per hour actually worked.
Earning the minimum? Two things worth checking
→ Your full take-home pay — what you actually receive each month after PAYE and UIF. → What your overtime is worth — overtime at 1.5× and Sunday work at double.Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national minimum wage in South Africa in 2026?
R30,23 for each ordinary hour worked, effective from 1 March 2026 — up from R28,79.
Does the minimum wage apply to domestic and farm workers?
Yes. Domestic and farm workers are now on the full national minimum wage of R30,23 an hour, the same as other workers.
Is the minimum wage monthly or hourly?
It is set per hour. Your daily, weekly or monthly minimum depends on how many hours you work — see the table above.
What can I do if I am paid less than the minimum wage?
Raise it with your employer and report it to the Department of Employment and Labour. A contract cannot waive your right to the minimum wage.
Related pages
📋 Verified — Official sources: Department of Employment and Labour (National Minimum Wage) · NMW 2026 increase (gov.za)
⚠️ This is general information, not financial, tax, or legal advice. KnowMyGovt is an independent service — not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Employment and Labour, the CCMA, SARS, the UIF, or the South African government — and is not liable for decisions made in reliance on it.
