For families and au pairs
Au pair pocket money in South Africa: what to pay in 2026
Typical au pair pay in South Africa by city, live-in and live-out, per hour and per month, what pushes rates up, and how the national minimum wage applies.
Updated 15 September 2026 · South Africa
The short answer
A live-out au pair in South Africa typically earns R55 to R140 an hour depending on the city, whether they drive, and their experience. For the common 20 to 25 hour school-week arrangement that comes to R5,500 to R14,000 a month. Live-in au pairs earn R4,500 to R12,000 a month in cash plus room and board.
Johannesburg's northern suburbs, Cape Town's Southern Suburbs and Atlantic Seaboard, and Umhlanga are the top of the market. University towns like Stellenbosch, Potchefstroom and Bloemfontein sit at the bottom because student supply is high and living costs are low.
Typical pay by city and area
These are 2026 ranges observed across families and au pairs on Au Pair Nation. They are guides, not rules: an experienced driver with first aid and toddler experience can earn above the top of any range.
| Area | Province | Live-out per hour | Live-out per month | Live-in per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandton and Bryanston | Gauteng | R85 to R140 | R8,500 to R14,000 | R7,500 to R12,000 |
| Johannesburg | Gauteng | R75 to R130 | R7,500 to R13,000 | R6,500 to R11,000 |
| Fourways and Lonehill | Gauteng | R75 to R130 | R7,500 to R13,000 | R6,500 to R11,000 |
| Southern Suburbs | Western Cape | R75 to R130 | R7,500 to R13,000 | R6,500 to R11,000 |
| Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl | Western Cape | R75 to R130 | R7,500 to R13,000 | R6,500 to R11,000 |
| Cape Town | Western Cape | R70 to R125 | R7,000 to R12,500 | R6,000 to R10,500 |
| Umhlanga and Durban North | KwaZulu-Natal | R70 to R125 | R7,000 to R12,500 | R6,000 to R10,500 |
| Randburg and Northcliff | Gauteng | R70 to R120 | R7,000 to R12,000 | R6,000 to R10,000 |
| Midrand and Waterfall | Gauteng | R70 to R120 | R7,000 to R12,000 | R6,000 to R10,000 |
| Pretoria | Gauteng | R70 to R120 | R7,000 to R12,000 | R6,000 to R10,000 |
| Hout Bay and the Southern Peninsula | Western Cape | R65 to R120 | R6,500 to R12,000 | R5,500 to R10,000 |
| Centurion | Gauteng | R70 to R115 | R7,000 to R11,500 | R6,000 to R10,000 |
| Northern Suburbs | Western Cape | R65 to R115 | R6,500 to R11,500 | R5,500 to R9,500 |
| Blouberg and Table View | Western Cape | R65 to R115 | R6,500 to R11,500 | R5,500 to R9,500 |
| Somerset West and the Helderberg | Western Cape | R65 to R115 | R6,500 to R11,500 | R5,500 to R9,500 |
| Durban | KwaZulu-Natal | R65 to R115 | R6,500 to R11,500 | R5,500 to R9,500 |
| Ballito and the North Coast | KwaZulu-Natal | R65 to R115 | R6,500 to R11,500 | R5,500 to R9,500 |
| Roodepoort and the West Rand | Gauteng | R65 to R110 | R6,500 to R11,000 | R5,500 to R9,500 |
| East Rand | Gauteng | R65 to R110 | R6,500 to R11,000 | R5,500 to R9,500 |
| Hillcrest, Kloof and the Upper Highway | KwaZulu-Natal | R65 to R110 | R6,500 to R11,000 | R5,500 to R9,500 |
| Stellenbosch and Paarl | Western Cape | R60 to R105 | R6,000 to R10,500 | R5,000 to R9,000 |
| George and the Garden Route | Western Cape | R55 to R95 | R5,500 to R9,500 | R5,000 to R8,500 |
| Pietermaritzburg | KwaZulu-Natal | R55 to R95 | R5,500 to R9,500 | R5,000 to R8,500 |
| Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) | Eastern Cape | R55 to R95 | R5,500 to R9,500 | R5,000 to R8,500 |
| East London | Eastern Cape | R55 to R95 | R5,500 to R9,500 | R5,000 to R8,500 |
| Bloemfontein | Free State | R55 to R95 | R5,500 to R9,500 | R5,000 to R8,500 |
| Mbombela (Nelspruit) | Mpumalanga | R55 to R95 | R5,500 to R9,500 | R5,000 to R8,500 |
| eMalahleni (Witbank) and Middelburg | Mpumalanga | R55 to R95 | R5,500 to R9,500 | R5,000 to R8,500 |
| Polokwane | Limpopo | R55 to R95 | R5,500 to R9,500 | R5,000 to R8,500 |
| Rustenburg | North West | R55 to R95 | R5,500 to R9,500 | R5,000 to R8,500 |
| Kimberley and Upington | Northern Cape | R55 to R95 | R5,500 to R9,500 | R5,000 to R8,500 |
| Potchefstroom | North West | R50 to R90 | R5,000 to R9,000 | R4,500 to R8,000 |
What moves the rate up or down
- Driving. A licence and a reliable car add R15 to R30 an hour in the metros. It's the single biggest factor.
- Ages of the children. Babies and toddlers need more skill and attention than school-age children, and experienced candidates are scarcer.
- Number of children. Three or more children usually justifies a higher rate than one.
- Qualifications. First aid, a childcare or education qualification, and lifeguard or swimming training all count.
- Extra duties. Cooking for the children, light tidying of their spaces and homework tutoring are normal. Housework for the whole household is not an au pair's job and should be paid separately if wanted at all.
- Hours and predictability. A fixed weekly schedule earns a slightly lower hourly rate than ad hoc or evening work.
- Location. Long, expensive commutes push rates up; roles within walking distance of a university pull them down.
Live-in arrangements
Live-in au pairs receive a private room, meals and usually Wi-Fi and laundry, and earn less cash for it. What they should not lose is structure: written hours, at least one and a half days off a week, and the right to leave the property when not working. Families who treat a live-in au pair as always available lose them quickly. Write down what is included and what is not.
Extras families commonly provide
- Fuel allowance or per-kilometre reimbursement when the au pair drives their own car.
- A phone or airtime allowance, since the au pair is the family's contact during the afternoon.
- Meals while on duty.
- A 13th cheque or year-end bonus for long-term au pairs.
- Paid leave in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, pro rata for part-time hours.
The legal minimum and your obligations
An au pair employed directly by a family is an employee. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act requires written particulars of employment, sets rules on hours, leave and notice, and the National Minimum Wage Act sets the floor rate, reviewed every March. Families must register with the Unemployment Insurance Fund if the au pair works more than 24 hours a month, and with the Compensation Fund, which covers domestic employees since 2021. None of the ranges above go near the minimum, but the paperwork still applies. Our contract guide covers what to write down.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current rates and obligations with the Department of Employment and Labour or a labour adviser.
Pocket money questions
Does the national minimum wage apply to au pairs?
Yes. An au pair working for a household in South Africa is an employee, and the National Minimum Wage Act applies. The rate is reviewed every March and was R28.79 an hour from March 2025. Every range on this page is well above it; the market rate for an au pair reflects driving, responsibility and education, not the legal floor.
Should I pay per hour or per month?
Most families agree a fixed monthly amount for a fixed weekly schedule, then pay extra hours at an agreed hourly rate. That gives the au pair predictable income and the family predictable costs. Write both figures into the agreement.
What about fuel?
If the au pair uses their own car for school runs, pay fuel separately, either per kilometre (the SARS rate is a common reference) or as a fixed monthly allowance. If they drive your car, add them to your insurance as a named driver.
How much less do live-in au pairs earn?
Roughly 10 to 20 percent less in cash than live-out au pairs on similar hours, because room and board are part of the package. Live-in au pairs should still have clear hours, days off and privacy; accommodation does not buy unlimited availability.
Do I need to register for UIF and pay tax?
If your au pair works more than 24 hours a month you must register with the Unemployment Insurance Fund and contribute. PAYE only applies above the tax threshold, which most part-time au pairs fall under. Household employers should also register with the Compensation Fund. A payroll service or accountant can set this up in an afternoon.
See what au pairs near you expect
Every au pair profile shows their minimum weekly pocket money, and matching scores how well your offer fits.