What is the average domestic worker salary in South Africa?
Short answer
The legal floor is R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026 — roughly R5 894 a month for a full-time, 45-hour week (about 195 hours). In practice, full-time domestic workers commonly earn somewhere between about R4 500 and R8 000 a month depending on the city, the duties (general cleaning versus childcare or cooking) and experience, with live-in, nanny and Cape Town/Johannesburg roles tending toward the upper end. Part-time and once-a-week workers are usually paid a day rate of around R250–R350. Always benchmark above the legal minimum, never below it.
The legal floor everyone builds from
Whatever the 'average', the law sets a hard floor: R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026, with a 4-hour minimum payment (R120.92) for any day reported. A full-time 45-hour week is about 195 hours a month, so the minimum full-time monthly wage works out to roughly R5 894. No domestic worker may lawfully be paid below the per-hour minimum, so any salary benchmark starts there and goes up.
Typical ranges in practice
Above the floor, real-world pay varies with role and location. Full-time general domestic workers commonly earn about R4 500–R8 000 a month; nannies and workers with childcare or cooking responsibility tend to sit higher; live-in roles vary because board and lodging are provided on top. Part-time and char work is usually a day rate of about R250–R350. Cape Town and Johannesburg generally pay more than smaller towns. These are sector norms, not legal figures — the only legal number is the R30.23/hour minimum.
What moves the number
Pay rises with the hours worked, the range of duties (cleaning vs. childcare vs. cooking vs. driving), experience and trust built over years, whether the role is live-in, and the cost of living in the area. Extras such as a 13th cheque, transport and meals also form part of the real package. When you benchmark, compare like for like — a five-day cleaning role against another five-day cleaning role, not against a live-in nanny.
Benchmark fairly, then pay above the floor
Use the minimum as the line you cannot cross and a fair market rate as your target. Our pay tools work out the exact legal minimum for the hours, and the salary pages give role-by-role context so you can pitch a fair, competitive wage. Remember the headline salary is basic pay only — UIF, paid leave and correct notice apply on top.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average domestic worker salary in South Africa?
Full-time workers commonly earn about R4 500–R8 000 a month depending on city, duties and experience. The legal minimum is R30.23/hour — roughly R5 894 for a full 45-hour week. Part-time is usually R250–R350 a day.
What is the minimum a domestic worker can be paid?
R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026, with a R120.92 floor for any day reported. No domestic worker may lawfully be paid below this.
Do nannies earn more than cleaners?
Often, yes. Childcare, cooking and live-in roles tend to pay toward the upper end of the range, while general cleaning sits lower — but all are bound by the same R30.23/hour legal minimum.
Is the salary I pay all the worker gets?
No. The headline salary is basic pay. UIF, paid annual and sick leave, COIDA cover and correct notice apply on top, and many employers add a 13th cheque, transport or meals.
Dignita is a compliance tool, not legal advice. Figures are based on current South African legislation; confirm with a labour-law professional for your situation.