South Africa minimum wage 2026
The legal minimum wage in South Africa, in ZAR, with its history and the law behind it.
Applies to: national.
Effective 1 Mar 2026. Set by National Minimum Wage Act 9 of 2018, amendment of Schedule 1, Government Notice R.7083, Government Gazette 54075 of 3 February 2026.
South Africa has a single national minimum wage per ordinary hour; farm and domestic workers get the same rate, while Expanded Public Works Programme workers have a lower rate of R16.62.
Minimum wage history, South Africa
Hourly rate in ZAR. Each step is a change in the legal rate.
Every change we have on record
Rates by type of work
| Category | Minimum wage |
|---|---|
| Farm workers | R30.23 an hour |
| Domestic workers | R30.23 an hour |
| Expanded Public Works Programme workers | R16.62 an hour |
South Africa minimum wage: common questions
What is the minimum wage in South Africa?
The minimum wage in South Africa is R30.23 an hour, in ZAR. It applies to: national. It took effect on 1 Mar 2026.
Which law sets the minimum wage in South Africa?
National Minimum Wage Act 9 of 2018, amendment of Schedule 1, Government Notice R.7083, Government Gazette 54075 of 3 February 2026.
When did the minimum wage last change in South Africa?
It moved from R28.79 to R30.23 per hour on 1 Mar 2026. Our records of earlier rates start in 1 Jan 2019.
Does South Africa have different minimum wages for different jobs or places?
Yes. The law sets 3 separate rates by type of work or location, listed in the table on this page. The main figure above is the headline rate for national.
Source: National Minimum Wage Act 9 of 2018, amendment of Schedule 1, Government Notice R.7083, Government Gazette 54075 of 3 February 2026. Retrieved 10 Oct 2026. See our methods.