What is the minimum wage for a gardener in Bloemfontein?

The national minimum wage for a domestic worker — including a gardener — is R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026. It applies everywhere in South Africa, including Bloemfontein. A gardener who reports for work must be paid for at least 4 hours, so the daily minimum is R 120,92.

How much should a gardener earn per month in Bloemfontein?

At the legal minimum of R30.23/hour and a typical a day or two a week, often outdoor and seasonal pattern of 16 hours a week, a gardener earns about R 2 095,95 per month gross. This is a legal minimum, not a market average. Gardeners who also handle pool care, heavy landscaping or who bring their own tools and expertise tend to command more per day — but that is a negotiated rate, not a higher legal minimum.

What does a gardener usually do?

A gardener is a worker who maintains the garden, lawn and outdoor areas. Typical responsibilities include mowing, edging and keeping the lawn in shape, weeding, pruning, planting and bed maintenance, watering, sweeping paths and clearing leaves. A gardener is a domestic worker for minimum-wage purposes, so the same hourly floor applies even on a one- or two-day-a-week arrangement. Working outdoors does not change the rate, and the 4-hour daily minimum still applies on a day the gardener reports for work.

How much UIF for a gardener?

UIF is 1% deducted from the worker plus 1% paid by the employer. On a gross of about R 2 095,95, that is roughly R 20,96 off the worker and R 20,96 from the employer each month, up to the R17 712 monthly ceiling.

Legal minimum 2026

Gardener salary in Bloemfontein (2026)

What you legally have to pay a gardener — a worker who maintains the garden, lawn and outdoor areas — in Bloemfontein this year: the national minimum wage, the 4-hour daily minimum, an estimated monthly gross for a typical a day or two a week, often outdoor and seasonal pattern, and the UIF on top.

These are legal minimums, not market rates

The figures below are the minimum you may pay by law from 1 March 2026. They are not market averages — many households in Bloemfontein pay more depending on experience, hours, live-in arrangements and duties.

Minimum hourly

R30.23

National minimum wage, from 1 March 2026

Daily minimum (4-hour rule)

R 120,92

A worker who reports must be paid for at least 4 hours

Estimated monthly gross

R 2 095,95

Typical 16 hours/week at minimum wage

UIF (1% + 1%)

R 20,96 + R 20,96

Deducted from worker + paid by employer

What a gardener typically does

A gardener is a worker who maintains the garden, lawn and outdoor areas. The usual arrangement is a day or two a week, often outdoor and seasonal. Day to day, the role tends to cover:

mowing, edging and keeping the lawn in shape
weeding, pruning, planting and bed maintenance
watering, sweeping paths and clearing leaves
occasional washing of the car, paving or refuse handling

A gardener is a domestic worker for minimum-wage purposes, so the same hourly floor applies even on a one- or two-day-a-week arrangement. Working outdoors does not change the rate, and the 4-hour daily minimum still applies on a day the gardener reports for work.

How the gardener minimum is worked out

South Africa sets a single national minimum wage for domestic workers — R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026 — and it applies in Bloemfontein just like everywhere else. A typical gardener working 8 hours a day, 2 days a week does 16 hours a week, which comes to about R 2 095,95 a month gross at the minimum rate.

On top of the wage, both you and the worker pay 1% UIF on the gross (up to the R17 712 monthly ceiling). The worker's 1% comes off their pay; your 1% is paid by you and is not deducted.

What's a fair rate above the minimum?

The figures above are the legal floor. Gardeners who also handle pool care, heavy landscaping or who bring their own tools and expertise tend to command more per day — but that is a negotiated rate, not a higher legal minimum. Treat any above-minimum range as an estimate and a guide — the load-bearing legal fact is the R30.23/hour minimum, not the market range.

Check and pay it correctly

Dignita works out the exact figures for your gardener's hours and generates the paperwork you legally need.

Check a wage Cost-to-employ calculator Free payslip Get started

Gardener pay in Bloemfontein — quick answers

What is the minimum wage for a gardener in Bloemfontein?: The national minimum wage for a domestic worker — including a gardener — is R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026. It applies everywhere in South Africa, including Bloemfontein. A gardener who reports for work must be paid for at least 4 hours, so the daily minimum is R 120,92.
How much should a gardener earn per month in Bloemfontein?: At the legal minimum of R30.23/hour and a typical a day or two a week, often outdoor and seasonal pattern of 16 hours a week, a gardener earns about R 2 095,95 per month gross. This is a legal minimum, not a market average. Gardeners who also handle pool care, heavy landscaping or who bring their own tools and expertise tend to command more per day — but that is a negotiated rate, not a higher legal minimum.
What does a gardener usually do?: A gardener is a worker who maintains the garden, lawn and outdoor areas. Typical responsibilities include mowing, edging and keeping the lawn in shape, weeding, pruning, planting and bed maintenance, watering, sweeping paths and clearing leaves. A gardener is a domestic worker for minimum-wage purposes, so the same hourly floor applies even on a one- or two-day-a-week arrangement. Working outdoors does not change the rate, and the 4-hour daily minimum still applies on a day the gardener reports for work.
How much UIF for a gardener?: UIF is 1% deducted from the worker plus 1% paid by the employer. On a gross of about R 2 095,95, that is roughly R 20,96 off the worker and R 20,96 from the employer each month, up to the R17 712 monthly ceiling.

Keep reading

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.