How much should you pay your domestic worker in 2025

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Earlier this month, South Africa’s new National Minimum Wage was implemented, establishing the new minimum wage for workers across all sectors, including domestic workers.

In February, the Department of Labour announced that the National Minimum Wage would increase by 4.4% as of 1 March. This saw the hourly rate increase from R27.58 to 28.79 in 2025.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU PAY YOUR DOMESTIC WORKER IN 2025

Undoubtedly, the adjustment saw increased wages across all sectors, including domestic workers, gardeners, and house cleaners employed by private households.

The publication has since noted that a person working a 38-hour week earns a minimum salary of R1 094 per week or R4 737 monthly.

However, someone working a 45-hour week earns R1 295 per week and R5 610 per month. With the new minimum wage, a person working four hours or less is entitled to a minimum wage of R115 per day.

However, according to data from SweepSouth, a domestic work platform, the average domestic worker earns R36.64 per hour—27% above the minimum wage.

It should be noted that this figure is not one-size-fits-all since wages tend to differ.

On the other hand, Business Tech reports that 46% of domestic workers still earn below the mandated minimum wage.

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) notes that the median monthly salary for a domestic worker is R2 350, which amounts to just R14 69 per hour in a standard 160-hour work month.

According to these statistics, many domestic workers earn less than the legally mandated minimum wage in South Africa.

However, MyWage.co.za suggests that domestic workers’ salaries vary based on experience and employer discretion.

According to reports, entry-level domestic workers earn just under R2 600, while those with extensive experience working for higher-paying households earn at least R7 000.

LEGAL EXPERTS WARN

Speaking to Business Tech, legal expert Nigel Carman noted that households employing domestic workers must be mindful of the minimum wage.

He also noted that they shouldn’t only know how it is calculated to avoid shortfalls.

Carman said that anyone employing a domestic worker can not pay less than the stipulated R115 per day wage, even if the worker works less than four hours per day.

However, according to Labourwise, employers are reminded that the minimum national wage excludes allowances that enable employees to work, including transport and accommodation.