Key Facts: South Africa vs Sint Maarten Wages
- South Africa Minimum Wage
- R30.23/hr ($1.86 USD)
- Sint Maarten Minimum Wage
- ƒ10.93/hr ($6.11 USD)
- South Africa Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- R26,500 /mo ($1,630.41 USD)
- Data Sources
- Department of Employment and Labour; 2026 figure cross-verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2026-03-01) (2026-05-04), Government of Sint Maarten — Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labour (2026-05-04)
South Africa 
Sint Maarten
Updated 2026-05-04
Sint Maarten Minimum Wage
ƒ10.93 /hr
$6.11 USD
The minimum wage in South Africa is 70% lower than in Sint Maarten in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | South Africa | Sint Maarten |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | R30.23 $1.86 | ƒ10.93 $6.11 |
| Minimum wage /mo | R5,239.87 $322.38 | ƒ1,894.53 $1,058.40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | R62,878.40 $3,868.58 | ƒ22,734.40 $12,700.78 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | R26,500 /mo $1,630.41 | N/A/mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | R21,500 /mo $1,322.78 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | R72,000 /yr $4,429.79 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means South Africa is higher.
Work Week
- 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.
- 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).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in South Africa earns 228% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sint Maarten. Standard work weeks differ: South Africa mandates 45 hours while Sint Maarten mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in South Africa are $84 vs $244 in Sint Maarten.
See this comparison from Sint Maarten's perspective: Sint Maarten vs South Africa
Compare South Africa with...
South Africa vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
South Africa vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
South Africa vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
South Africa vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
South Africa vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
South Africa vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
South Africa vs France € 12.02 /hr 
South Africa vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
South Africa vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
South Africa vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
South Africa vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
South Africa vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
South Africa vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
South Africa vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
South Africa vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
South Africa vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
South Africa vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
South Africa vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
South Africa vs Switzerland 
South Africa vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
South Africa vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
South Africa vs Sweden 
South Africa vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
South Africa vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in South Africa or Sint Maarten?
In South Africa, the minimum wage is R30.23/hr ($1.86 USD). In Sint Maarten, it is ƒ10.93/hr ($6.11 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 South Africa and Sint Maarten?
South Africa has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sint Maarten. Workers in South Africa work 45 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.