Minimum Wage Calculator
See the 2026 national minimum wage for your working hours and check whether your pay meets it.
Your hours and pay
Worked example
These are the calculator's starting values, so the results above match this example until you change an input.
A gardener works 45 hours a week and is paid R 5 500 a month.
At the national minimum wage of R 30,23 an hour, 45 hours a week is R 1 360,35 a week, or R 5 890,32 a month (45 × 4.33 weeks × R 30,23).
Her pay works out to R 28,23 an hour, so she is paid R 390,32 a month less than the minimum.
The national minimum wage for 2026
From 1 March 2026 the national minimum wage is R 30,23 for each ordinary hour worked. It applies to almost all workers, including farm workers and domestic workers, who now get the same rate. Workers on the Expanded Public Works Programme and some learnerships have lower rates set separately.
| Hours a week | Minimum a week | Minimum a month |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | R 604,60 | R 2 617,92 |
| 27 | R 816,21 | R 3 534,19 |
| 40 | R 1 209,20 | R 5 235,84 |
| 45 | R 1 360,35 | R 5 890,32 |
What counts towards the minimum
The minimum is for ordinary hours and must be paid in money. Allowances for transport, tools, food or accommodation, tips, bonuses and payments in kind do not count towards it, and the employer may not deduct the cost of uniforms or tools to bring pay below it. Overtime is paid on top, at 1.5 times the rate.
If you are paid less
Paying less than the minimum wage is not allowed unless the employer has an exemption. You can raise it with your employer, or ask the Department of Employment and Labour or the CCMA for help. Under-payment can be claimed back.
How this calculator works
It multiplies R 30,23 by your weekly hours for the weekly minimum, and by 4.33 weeks for the monthly minimum, then divides your monthly pay by the same hours to compare. Workers who work fewer than 4 hours on a day must be paid for 4 hours.
National Minimum Wage Act 9 of 2018 and the national minimum wage adjustment gazetted for 1 March 2026. Checked 16 October 2026. This page is general educational information, not legal or tax advice. Sectoral determinations, bargaining council agreements and your contract can give you more than the legal minimum.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in South Africa in 2026?
R 30,23 an hour from 1 March 2026, for almost all workers including domestic and farm workers.
What is the minimum wage per month?
It depends on your hours. For a 45-hour week it is about R 5 890 a month, and for a 40-hour week about R 5 236.
Does the minimum wage apply to domestic workers?
Yes. Domestic workers get the same national minimum wage as other workers.
Can transport or food count towards the minimum wage?
No. Allowances, tips, bonuses and payments in kind do not count towards the minimum wage.
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