What is the minimum wage for domestic workers in Cape Town?

Domestic workers in South Africa are covered by the national minimum wage, which rose to R30.23 per hour on 1 March 2026. A full-time domestic worker on a 45-hour week must earn at least about R5,890 per month. Many Cape Town employers, particularly in affluent suburbs, pay above this rate. Part-time workers — a large share of the market — earn pro-rata at the same hourly rate, which is why monthly earnings of R3,500 for two or three days a week are common and legal.

How much does a live-in domestic worker earn?

Live-in domestic workers earn R4,000 to R8,000 per month in cash salary, plus accommodation and meals. The total value of the package is typically higher than what day workers earn. Live-in positions are most common in areas like Constantia, Bishopscourt, and the Winelands.

Do nannies earn more than domestic workers in Cape Town?

Yes. Professional nannies and au pairs in Cape Town earn R4,500 to R10,000 per month, depending on the number of children, hours, and whether the role is live-in. Nannies with first aid training, early childhood development qualifications, or fluency in multiple languages command higher rates.

What do office and commercial cleaners earn in Cape Town?

Commercial cleaners employed by contract cleaning companies like Bidvest Prestige, Tsebo, and Servest typically earn R4,500 to R6,500 per month in 2026, in line with the contract cleaning sectoral wage. Supervisors and team leaders earn R6,500 to R9,000. Most commercial cleaning shifts start early (05:00–06:00), and transport allowances are common for CBD contracts.

What is a fair daily rate for a char in Cape Town in 2026?

Once-a-week domestic workers (chars) in Cape Town typically charge R350 to R500 per day in 2026, plus transport money. Rates at the higher end apply in the southern suburbs and on the Atlantic Seaboard, where agencies also place vetted cleaners at R450 to R600 per day.

How much does a cleaner earn per hour in South Africa in 2026?

The legal minimum for domestic workers is R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026. In Cape Town the going rate for private household cleaners is typically R35 to R55 per hour, and agency-placed cleaners are booked out at R45 to R70 per hour (the agency takes a share). Commercial office cleaners fall under the contract cleaning sectoral wage, which sits slightly above the national minimum.

What does a housekeeper earn per week in Cape Town?

A full-time housekeeper on a 45-hour week earns at least R1,360 per week at the 2026 minimum wage, and typical Cape Town rates run R1,400 to R2,200 per week for experienced housekeepers. Live-in housekeepers usually earn R950 to R1,850 per week in cash plus accommodation and meals. A two-day-a-week arrangement commonly pays R700 to R1,000 per week.

How much do maids and cleaning ladies get paid per month?

A full-time domestic worker in Cape Town must earn at least about R5,890 per month (45 hours a week at R30.23 per hour, the March 2026 minimum). In practice, full-time monthly pay ranges from around R5,900 in the northern suburbs to R8,000 or more in Constantia, Camps Bay, and along the Atlantic Seaboard. Part-time workers earn pro-rata — R3,500 per month for two to three days a week is common and legal.

Domestic & Cleaning Salary Guide — Cape Town

Domestic & Cleaning pay in Cape Town ranges from R3 500 to R12 000/month across 7 roles (2026). Compare entry to senior salaries and browse current openings. Salary range: R3 500 – R12 000 per month. Last updated 2026-08-03. Domestic work remains one of the largest employment categories in Cape Town. Employers range from private households in the southern suburbs and Atlantic Seaboard to commercial cleaning companies servicing offices and retail spaces. The Sectoral Determination for domestic workers sets the national minimum wage, and Cap

Live domestic & cleaning jobs in Cape Town

Estate Gardener – Stellenbosch — Cape Town Employer · Stellenbosch · Posted 13 Aug 2026
Cleaner - Bidvest Prestige, Durbanville — Cape Town Employer · Durbanville · Posted 12 Jul 2026
Domestic Worker - Private Household, Durbanville — Cape Town Employer · Durbanville · Posted 10 Jul 2026
Office Cleaner - Sparkling Clean Services, Durbanville — Cape Town Employer · Durbanville · Posted 08 Jul 2026
Domestic Worker - Bidvest Prestige, Sea Point — Cape Town Employer · Sea Point · Posted 30 Jun 2026
Cleaner - Servest, Sea Point — Cape Town Employer · Sea Point · Posted 29 Jun 2026
Office Cleaner - Tsebo, Sea Point — Cape Town Employer · Sea Point · Posted 28 Jun 2026
Au Pair Needed In Vredehoek Area R7500 Month — Cape Town Employer · Vredehoek · Posted 18 May 2026
Au Pair Needed In Camps Bay Area R100 — Cape Town Employer · Camps Bay · Posted 16 May 2026
Au Pair Needed In Rondebosch Area R12000 Month — Cape Town Employer · Rondebosch · Posted 15 May 2026

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