Minimum wage in South Africa

A statutory national minimum wage

South Africa has a statutory National Minimum Wage, set per hour by the Minister each year on the advice of an expert commission. It covers farm and domestic workers too.

Headline figure (from 1 March 2026)

30.23 ZAR per hour

Published in Government Gazette 54075 under the National Minimum Wage Act.

Roughly US$315 a month for a full-time worker, at exchange rates of 2026-10-09. This is a rough comparison only and does not show buying power.

Checked October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Check the date. Minimum wages change, in many countries every year. The figure above is the one in force at the date shown. Confirm the current amount with the official source below before you rely on it. This is general information, not legal or employment advice.

Who sets it

The National Minimum Wage Act sets the system. A National Minimum Wage Commission recommends the annual adjustment, and the Minister of Employment and Labour publishes it in the Government Gazette.

How it changes

The rate is reviewed every year and the new rate normally takes effect on 1 March.

Who is covered, and who is treated differently

Farm workers and domestic workers have the same hourly minimum as other workers.
Workers on public works programmes have a lower separate rate.
Employees covered by a bargaining council agreement may have a higher minimum under that agreement.

What to watch for

The minimum applies to ordinary hours and does not count allowances, tips or payments in kind.

Understand the legal system first

South Africa belongs to the Mixed: civil and common law family. How pay is regulated depends on how the legal system makes and applies labour law.

Read the South Africa legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →
Compare South Africa with another country →

Official sources

Take it further

Employment Offer Letter template $5
A clear offer of work, pay and terms.
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Labor and Employment Law course $15
Wages, hours, contracts and dismissal.

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TheLawToKnow Tools’s Minimum Wage by Country guide is an educational overview. It is not legal or employment advice, and it does not replace the official source or a lawyer in the country. Report a mistake.