Minimum Wage South Africa 2026: R30.23/Hour — Full Sector Table
The national minimum wage in South Africa for 2026 is R30.23 per hour, effective 1 March 2026. This is a 5% increase from the 2025 rate of R28.79, announced by Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth in February 2026. Farm workers and domestic workers are now also entitled to R30.23/hr — equal to the general NMW for the first time.
2026 Sector Table
- General workers: R30.23/hr (+5% from R28.79)
- Domestic workers: R30.23/hr (now equal to general NMW, up from R27.58)
- Farm workers: R30.23/hr (+5% from R28.79)
- Contract cleaning (metropolitan areas): R33.27/hr (sectoral determination)
- Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP): R16.62/hr
Monthly Equivalent (45hr week)
- General workers: R30.23 × 195 hrs = R5,895/month
- Domestic workers: R30.23 × 195 hrs = R5,895/month
- Farm workers: R30.23 × 195 hrs = R5,895/month
Overtime Rules
- Maximum 45 ordinary hours per week
- Overtime rate: 1.5× = R45.35/hr at minimum wage
- Maximum 10 overtime hours per week
- BCEA earnings threshold: R261,748.45/year (R21,812/month)
Penalties for Underpayment
- Fine equal to 2× underpayment per employee
- Compliance order with back-payment plus interest
- Up to R10,000 per employee per violation for repeat offenders
- BCEA record-keeping: 3-year minimum retention of wage records