The average monthly salary for South Africans right now
Do you earn more or less than the average South African salary?
According to Stats SA’s latest Quarterly Employment Survey for the second quarter of 2026, the average South African salary has increased by 4.1%.
The average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal, non-agricultural sector increased from R29,402 in May 2025 to R30,611 in May 2026.
BusinessTech also reports that average monthly earnings paid to employees increased by 2.6% quarter-on-quarter, from R29,825 in February 2026 to R30,611 in May 2026.
Despite the increase in monthly earnings, South Africans might still have less money in their pockets, as the 4.1% year-on-year increase did not keep up with the 4.5% inflation rate recorded in May.
These earnings only cover salaries paid in the formal, non-agricultural sector across eight broad industries.
According to BusinessTech, the increase in average monthly earnings differs across sectors.
The construction sector recorded the weakest year-on-year earnings growth at just 1.7%, followed by business services at 2.1%, trade at 2.9% and mining at 3.4%. All four sectors recorded growth below the consumer price index (CPI) inflation rate.
Earnings growth outpaced inflation in the remaining sectors. Manufacturing recorded an increase of 4.7%, transport 5.7%, community services, including government, 6% and electricity 7.9%.
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