Domestic Worker Minimum Wage 2025/2026
The minimum wage for domestic workers in South Africa is reviewed every year. Here's what you need to know about the current rates and how to calculate what you should be paying (or earning).
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 minimum wage is R27.58 per hour for all domestic workers
- This applies to cleaners, gardeners, nannies, housekeepers, and drivers
- Full-time (45 hours/week) = approximately R5,379 per month minimum
- Part-time workers get the same hourly rate — just fewer hours
- Paying below minimum wage is illegal and can result in fines
Current minimum wage rates
From March 2025, all domestic workers must earn at least R27.58 per hour. This is the same as the national minimum wage — domestic workers are no longer on a separate (lower) rate like they used to be.
- Per hour: R27.58
- Per day (9 hours): R248.22
- Per week (45 hours): R1,241.10
- Per month (full-time): approximately R5,379
Part-time domestic workers
If your domestic worker comes 1-3 days per week, they still earn the same hourly rate. You just pay for fewer hours. For example, a worker who comes twice a week for 8 hours each day earns: 16 hours × R27.58 = R441.28 per week.
What counts as a domestic worker?
The law covers anyone who works in or around a private home:
- Cleaners and housekeepers
- Gardeners and yard workers
- Nannies and au pairs
- Cooks and domestic chefs
- Drivers employed by the household
- Carers for elderly or disabled family members
What if I can't afford the minimum wage?
You cannot legally pay below minimum wage. If you can't afford it, you may need to reduce the worker's hours rather than their hourly rate. For example, instead of 5 days at below minimum, employ them for 3 days at the correct rate.
Ready to see your own numbers?
Use the Domestic Worker Calculator