Key Facts: Sint Maarten vs South Africa Wages
- Sint Maarten Minimum Wage
- ƒ10.93/hr ($6.11 USD)
- South Africa Minimum Wage
- R30.23/hr ($1.86 USD)
- South Africa Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- R26,500 /mo ($1,630.41 USD)
- Data Sources
- Government of Sint Maarten — Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labour (2026-05-04), Department of Employment and Labour; 2026 figure cross-verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2026-03-01) (2026-05-04)
Sint Maarten
South Africa
Updated 2026-05-04
Minimum Wage
ƒ10.93 /hr
$6.11 USD
The minimum wage in Sint Maarten is 228% higher than in South Africa when converted to USD.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sint Maarten | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ƒ10.93 $6.11 | R30.23 $1.86 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ƒ1,894.53 $1,058.40 | R5,239.87 $322.38 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ƒ22,734.40 $12,700.78 | R62,878.40 $3,868.58 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | N/A/mo | R26,500 /mo $1,630.41 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | R21,500 /mo $1,322.78 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | R72,000 /yr $4,429.79 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Sint Maarten is higher.
Work Week
- Sint Maarten
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours. Governed by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labour (VSA).
- South Africa
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Basic Conditions of Employment Act sets maximum ordinary hours at 45 per week (9 hrs/day for 5-day week, or 8 hrs/day for 6-day week). Overtime maximum of 10 additional hours per week. Overtime rate is 1.5x; Sunday/public holiday work is 2x.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from South Africa to Sint Maarten would see a 228% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Sint Maarten mandates 40 hours while South Africa mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Sint Maarten are $244 vs $84 in South Africa.
See this comparison from South Africa's perspective: South Africa vs Sint Maarten
Compare Sint Maarten with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sint Maarten or South Africa?
In Sint Maarten, the minimum wage is ƒ10.93/hr ($6.11 USD). In South Africa, it is R30.23/hr ($1.86 USD). Sint Maarten has the higher rate by 228% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in South Africa may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How do work hours compare between Sint Maarten and South Africa?
South Africa has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sint Maarten. Workers in Sint Maarten work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sint Maarten working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.