Cost breakdown
| Line item | Monthly estimate | Why it matters |
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Build the pay plan
Use realistic household terms, then compare a basic compliant package against retention and live-in scenarios. All calculations run locally in your browser.
Scenario comparison
Use scenarios to discuss affordability, worker retention, and service level before committing.
| Scenario | Monthly cost | Use when |
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Methodology and assumptions
- Base pay conversion: monthly pay uses the period you choose. Weekly values are multiplied by 52/12; daily values use your working days per week; hourly values use regular hours per week.
- Wage-floor check: the legal floor is converted to a monthly equivalent using the same working pattern, then compared with cash base pay only. In-kind support is shown as employer cost but not treated as a replacement for the cash floor.
- Overtime: estimated from effective hourly cash pay, overtime hours per month, and the multiplier you enter. Confirm the legal overtime rule for your country and role.
- Employer cost: monthly budget equals base cash pay, overtime, allowances, estimated employer contributions, leave reserve, admin costs, and one-twelfth of annual bonus.
- Readiness score: combines wage-floor status, contract readiness, pay records, rest-day clarity, and source freshness. It is an internal planning signal, not a legal certification.
Source and freshness notes
Reviewed 18 May 2026. Official wage rates and contribution rules change frequently, and may differ by city, sector, live-in arrangement, age, and hours. Enter the latest rate from the relevant government notice or local adviser before making a decision.
- South Africa Department of Employment and Labour minimum wage update
- Kenya minimum wage reference with wage-order source label
- ILO Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189)
Disclaimer: This tool is for household budgeting and HR planning only. It is not legal, tax, immigration, payroll, or labour-law advice. Domestic worker protections can be strict and local; verify with an official source, payroll professional, labour adviser, union, or lawyer before setting terms.
Practical next steps
Verify wage floor
Write duties
Document hours
Budget contributions
Keep monthly records
- Confirm whether domestic workers are covered by a national minimum wage, sectoral determination, city wage order, or collective agreement.
- Separate cash wage, allowances, in-kind support, and overtime in the agreement so both sides understand the package.
- Record rest days, public holidays, sick leave, annual leave, termination notice, safety expectations, and privacy boundaries.
- Keep a simple monthly pay receipt or payslip even when payment is made in cash or mobile money.
- For migrant or live-in workers, verify work authorization, accommodation standards, passport custody rules, and emergency contact procedures.
Related AfroTools
Move from salary planning to the documents and payroll records needed for a cleaner household employment process.