How much the average domestic worker is paid in South Africa

In South Africa, domestic workers received a 14% wage hike in 2024, but many still earn less than the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

As of February 2024, the NMW was set at R27.58 per hour, which translates to approximately R4,400 per month for full-time work.

However, actual earnings are significantly lower, with the average domestic worker earning R3,349 per month for women and R3,059 for men.

The gap between these earnings and the NMW highlights the financial challenges domestic workers face, particularly when considering the rising cost of living in South Africa.

A Sweepsouth report revealed that 83% of domestic workers are the primary breadwinners, supporting an average of four dependents​.

Even with wage increases, inflation and rising expenses have outpaced earnings, creating a significant financial strain.

Despite the pay hike, many domestic workers experience a monthly shortfall of around R800.

Comparing this to other countries, domestic workers in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States fare considerably better.

In Australia, the minimum wage for domestic workers is approximately AUD 23.23 per hour, or around AUD 3,716 per month (about R46,000) based on a standard 40-hour week.

This is significantly higher than South Africa’s domestic worker wages.

In the United Kingdom, domestic workers aged 23 and over earn a minimum wage of £10.42 per hour, equating to approximately £1,796 per month (about R42,000).

While wages in the UK are higher than in South Africa, domestic workers still face issues such as insecure contracts and the high cost of living.

In the United States, wages for domestic workers vary widely by state.

For example, in California, domestic workers earn a minimum wage of USD 15.50 per hour, which comes to approximately USD 2,688 per month (about R52,000).

This is almost ten times the earnings of a South African domestic worker.

While these numbers may seem significantly higher, it’s important to factor in purchasing power and the cost of living in each country.

For instance, although domestic workers in the US or Australia earn higher wages, the cost of housing, healthcare, and essential services are also considerably more expensive than in South Africa.

For example, housing in major cities like Sydney or Los Angeles is significantly more costly than in Johannesburg.

In the UK, while domestic workers may earn more in absolute terms, the rising cost of living, especially in urban areas, affects their disposable income.

Therefore, when comparing wages across countries, purchasing power parity (PPP) is crucial in determining whether domestic workers are truly better off.

In South Africa, despite the low nominal wages, the cost of goods and services is relatively cheaper compared to wealthier countries.

However, the problem arises when domestic workers’ wages, even after the recent hike, fail to keep pace with inflation and rising living expenses, leaving many struggling financially.

While domestic workers in countries like Australia, the UK, and the US earn higher wages in absolute terms, the comparison is incomplete without considering the cost of living.

In South Africa, domestic workers face a persistent wage gap and financial strain exacerbated by inflation.

As a result, their overall purchasing power remains low, even though living costs may be less than in wealthier countries.

The challenge for South African domestic workers remains that their wages, though slightly increased, are still insufficient to meet their daily living expenses.

Data from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity (PMBEJD) Group indicates that the current minimum wage is insufficient to cover basic needs in 2024, suggesting that it should be at least R40 per hour just to achieve a break-even point.

Data from the PMBEJD highlights that if the minimum wage were increased to R40.10 per hour for a full-time worker, the worker would reach a break-even point to cover the necessary expenses—R6,094.65 per month.

The data suggests that domestic workers are paid less than the NMW, but it goes without saying that domestic workers face significant financial strain in South Africa.

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