Salary Guide 2026
Invest in People.Build Brighter Homes.
Fair pay builds trust and loyalty. Paying people what their work is worth recognises their skills, experience and contribution, while helping to create a respectful and sustainable working relationship. Use our guide to see what premium household staff in South Africa earn today, by role, experience and whether they live in or out.
Legal minimum wage
– from 1 March 2026
R30.23
per hour, for every domestic worker
≈ R5,895 / month
Full-time, 45 hours a week · R30.23 × 45 hrs × 4.33 weeks
Market-Related Salaries
What Should I Pay?
Our premium candidates typically command above-average salaries, depending on their experience, skill set, and the specific requirements of the position. These candidates are carefully selected for their reliability, experience, professionalism, and ability to add real value to your household. We focus on introducing exceptional candidates who offer a strong long-term investment and the right fit for your family’s needs.
What the Law Says
Eight Rules Every Employer Should Know
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the Sectoral Determination for Domestic Workers apply to every home that employs staff.
- Minimum wageR30.23 / hour
From 1 March 2026. It is adjusted every March, so review pay each year.
- Working hours45 hrs a week
No more than 9 hours a day on a 5-day week, or 8 hours on a 6-day week.
- Overtime15 hrs a week max
Paid at 1.5× the normal rate. No more than 12 hours in a day, overtime included.
- Rest12 hrs · 36 hrs
12 hours off between shifts and 36 hours off in a row each week, usually including Sunday.
- Meal break1 hour
After 5 hours of work. By agreement, it can be 45 minutes plus a 15-minute tea break.
- Payment in kindCash comes first
A room and meals are welcome extras, but the cash salary must meet the minimum wage on its own.
- ContractAlways in writing
Every domestic worker must have a written contract. We include one free with every placement.
- UIF & COIDRegister both
Deduct 1% for UIF and add your own 1% each month. Register for COID injury cover too.
This is a summary, not legal advice. Our team can talk you through your own situation.
Finding the Right Figure
What Moves a Salary Up or Down
Experience
Each level up, from Junior to Senior Executive, earns more.
Duties
Cooking, ironing, school runs and caring for more children all add value.
Live-in or live-out
Live-out pay includes transport money. Live-in pay comes with a room and meals.
Hours and days
Part-time, full-time, night shifts and overtime all change the total.
Location
Rates differ between cities and suburbs, and with travel distance.
Extra skills
A driver's licence, cooking or specialised care training earns a premium.
Use this guide as a starting point. Your professional placement consultant will help you settle on a fair remuneration package for your Angel.
Ready When You Are
Know What to Offer. Then Let Us Find Your Angel.
We match you with vetted, trained candidates at the level you can afford. After the placement, we can run the monthly payslip, UIF and COID for you too.
Prefer to talk? Gauteng 082 669 0746 · Western Cape 060 755 6282