Free tools · National Minimum Wage Act, 2018
The national minimum wage in 2026
Every worker in South Africa, with lower rates for expanded public works programme workers and learnership allowances. The minimum is R30.23 an hour, in force from 1 March 2026.
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- R30.23The minimum, an hourfrom 1 Mar 2026
- R1,360.35A 45-hour week
- R5,894.85A month, aboutat 45 hours a week
- 18Jobs and grades
The rates in force
Schedule 1: National minimum wage
| Job | National |
|---|---|
| Workers employed on an expanded public works programme | R16.62 an hour |
| All workers | R30.23 an hour |
| Domestic workers | R30.23 an hour |
| Farm workers | R30.23 an hour |
Schedule 2: Learnership allowances
| Job | National |
|---|---|
| Learner, NQF level 1 to 2 0 to 120 credits earned | R455 a week |
| Learner, NQF level 3 0 to 120 credits earned | R455 a week |
| Learner, NQF level 4 0 to 120 credits earned | R455 a week |
| Learner, NQF level 5 to 8 0 to 120 credits earned | R455 a week |
| Learner, NQF level 3 121 to 240 credits earned | R856.94 a week |
| Learner, NQF level 1 to 2 121 to 240 credits earned | R909.94 a week |
| Learner, NQF level 4 121 to 240 credits earned | R910.04 a week |
| Learner, NQF level 5 to 8 121 to 240 credits earned | R985.76 a week |
| Learner, NQF level 3 241 to 360 credits earned | R1,402.87 a week |
| Learner, NQF level 4 241 to 360 credits earned | R1,402.87 a week |
| Learner, NQF level 5 to 8 241 to 360 credits earned | R1,474.90 a week |
| Learner, NQF level 4 361 to 480 credits earned | R2,047.41 a week |
| Learner, NQF level 5 to 8 361 to 480 credits earned | R2,077.79 a week |
| Learner, NQF level 5 to 8 481 to 600 credits earned | R2,654.04 a week |
The minimum hourly rate before deductions, as the gazette prints it. A week is worked out at 45 ordinary hours, the most the Basic Conditions of Employment Act allows, and a month at 52 weeks ÷ 12.
Source: Government Gazette No. 54075 (Regulation Gazette No. 11941), 2026-02-03: GN R. 7083 (every figure the notice set). National Minimum Wage Act, No. 9 of 2018: Schedules 1 and 2, as amended by GN R.7083