The MIBCO Wage Schedules For 1 September 2026
Every prescribed minimum wage and guaranteed increase for the motor industry, for 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027. Free, no sign-up, sector by sector.
All rates on this page · Free PDF, 4 pages · Transcribed from the gazetted Main Agreement.
The 1 September 2026 Wage Tables
Every prescribed minimum wage and guaranteed increase for 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027, with the sector and chapter each rate applies to. Transcribed from the gazetted Main Agreement and checked against the August 2025 settlement agreements.
Download the wage schedulesPDF · 4 pages · A4
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MIBCO Minimum Wages From 1 September 2026
Every prescribed minimum wage and guaranteed increase for 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027, sector by sector. These are the same tables as the downloadable PDF, transcribed from the gazetted Main Collective Agreement and checked against the August 2025 settlement agreements.
What is the MIBCO increase for September 2026?
There is no single MIBCO percentage for 2026. Most of the motor industry increases by 5%, apprentices and learners by 3%, and Sector 5 cashiers and chars by 4%. Sector 1 Chapter III also increases by 5%, but calculated on actual rates of pay rather than on the prescribed minimum.
| Who | Increase | Calculated on |
|---|---|---|
| All sectors except Sector 5 and Sector 1 Chapter III | 5% | Minimum rates of pay |
| Sector 6 | 5% | Minimum rates of pay only — no guaranteed increase above the minimum |
| Sector 1, Chapter III — component manufacturers | 5% | Actual rates of pay |
| Apprentices and learners | 3% | Aligned with the current wage model |
| Sector 5 — forecourt attendants | 5% | Less the medical insurance allowance |
| Sector 5 — cashiers and chars | 4% | Less the medical insurance allowance |
What is a MIBCO guaranteed increase?
A guaranteed increase is the rand amount owed to an employee who is already paid above the prescribed minimum. Lifting the minimum is not enough — staff above it receive a monetary increase equal to the value of that lift. The tables below publish the exact figure per grade. It does not apply in Sector 6, and no rand figure is published for Sector 1 Chapter III because the increase there applies to actual pay.
Which MIBCO wage table applies to my business?
Identify yourself by Division D's sector definition, not by the chapter heading. Chapter V is headed “Reconditioning Establishments”, but Division D defines reconditioning as Sector 3, which sits in Chapter IV. Reading from the heading puts you on the wrong table.
| Sector | What it covers | Where the wage table lives |
|---|---|---|
| Sector 1 | Manufacturing and vehicle body building | Division C, Chapters II & III |
| Sector 2 | Remanufacturing (component production) | Division C, Chapter V |
| Sector 3 | Reconditioning — automotive engineers | Division C, Chapter IV |
| Sector 4 | Service and repair, motorcycle, caravan, agricultural equipment | Division C, Chapter I |
| Sector 5 | Fuel dealers and service stations | Division C, Chapter I |
| Sector 6 | Dealers, sales and distribution, incl. used vehicles | Division D, Clause 3(2) only |
| Sector 7 | Parts, accessories, tools, auto-breakers | Division C, Chapter I |
Minimum wages and guaranteed increases — all sectors
From 1 September 2026 a Sector 5 forecourt attendant earns R48.08 per hour (R2,163.60 per week) with a guaranteed increase of R1.85 per hour. Grade 1 in Sectors 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 is R31.74 per hour, Sector 6 is R32.95, and Sector 1 Chapter III is R35.91.
Applies to: All sectors. Find your grade, then the row matching your sector and chapter — Division D’s sector definitions govern, not the chapter headings.
| Employee class | Sector | Chapter | Minimum wage | Guaranteed increase | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per week | Per hour | Per week | Per hour | |||
| Grade 1 — Forecourt Attendant | 5 | 1 | R2,163.60 | R48.08 | R83.25 | R1.85 |
| Grade 1 — Char | 5 | 1 | R1,620.90 | R36.02 | R42.30 | R0.94 |
| Grade 1 — Parking Garage Attendant | 4;7 | 1 | R1,428.30 | R31.74 | R67.95 | R1.51 |
| Grade 1 | 1;2;3;4;7 | 1;2;4;5 | R1,428.30 | R31.74 | R67.95 | R1.51 |
| Grade 1 | 6 | 1 | R1,482.75 | R32.95 | — | — |
| Grade 1 | 1 | 3 | R1,615.95 | R35.91 | — | — |
| Grade 2 — Cashier | 5 | 1 | R2,119.95 | R47.11 | R61.65 | R1.37 |
| Grade 2 | 1;2;3;4;5;7 | 1;2;4;5 | R1,900.80 | R42.24 | R90.45 | R2.01 |
| Grade 2 | 6 | 1 | R1,987.20 | R44.16 | — | — |
| Grade 2 | 1 | 3 | R2,127.60 | R47.28 | — | — |
| Grade 3 | 1;2;3;4;5;7 | 1;2;4;5 | R2,057.85 | R45.73 | R98.10 | R2.18 |
| Grade 3 | 6 | 1 | R2,133.45 | R47.41 | — | — |
| Grade 3 | 1 | 3 | R2,301.75 | R51.15 | — | — |
| Grade 4 | 2;3;4;7 | 1;4;5 | R2,247.75 | R49.95 | R107.10 | R2.38 |
| Grade 4 | 6 | 1 | R2,329.65 | R51.77 | — | — |
| Grade 4 | 1 | 3 | R2,513.70 | R55.86 | — | — |
| Grade 5 | 1;2;3;4;7 | 1;2;4;5 | R2,506.05 | R55.69 | R119.25 | R2.65 |
| Grade 5 | 6 | 1 | R2,583.00 | R57.40 | — | — |
| Grade 5 | 1 | 3 | R2,803.95 | R62.31 | — | — |
| Grade 6 | 1;2;3;4;7 | 1;2;4;5 | R3,010.05 | R66.89 | R143.55 | R3.19 |
| Grade 6 | 6 | 1 | R3,076.20 | R68.36 | — | — |
| Grade 6 | 1 | 3 | R3,364.65 | R74.77 | — | — |
| Grade 7 | 1;2;3;4;7 | 2;4;5 | R3,749.40 | R83.32 | R178.65 | R3.97 |
| Grade 7 | 6 | 1 | R3,793.50 | R84.30 | — | — |
| Grade 8 | 1;2;3;4;7 | 1;2;4;5 | R4,286.25 | R95.25 | R204.30 | R4.54 |
| Grade 8 | 6 | 1 | R4,334.40 | R96.32 | — | — |
| Grade 8 | 1 | 3 | R4,793.85 | R106.53 | — | — |
| Watchman | 1;2;3;4;5;7 | 1;2;4;5 | R1,731.61 | * | R82.46 | * |
| Watchman | 6 | 1 | R1,793.58 | * | — | — |
| Watchman | 1 | 3 | R1,902.11 | * | — | — |
| * No rate published for this cell in the schedule. “—” means no guaranteed increase is payable — see the notes below. | ||||||
Source: Main Agreement, Division C & D — Wages
The medical insurance allowance for Forecourt Attendants, Cashiers and Chars is R0.46 per hour (R20.77 per week), being the R90.00 per month set by the Sector 5 Settlement Agreement.
Sector 1 Chapter III: a 5.00% increase on actual rates of pay across the board, excluding apprentices. No rand guaranteed increase is published for Chapter III because the increase applies to actual pay.
Sector 6 increases are based on minimum rates of pay only, so no guaranteed increase is payable to Sector 6 employees already above the minimum.
Sector 5 guaranteed increases are the increase in the minimum wage less the R0.44 per hour medical insurance allowance, as provided in the Sector 5 Settlement Agreement.
The Grade 7 schedule publishes no Sector 1 Chapter III row.
Office, clerical and sales staff — Division B
Division B applies to office, clerical and sales staff in every sector, in addition to the sector’s own schedule. From 1 September 2026 a first-year clerical employee earns R7,775.17 per month, with a guaranteed increase of R370.24. A bookkeeper earns R15,251.04 and an accountant R25,944.58.
Applies to: Office, stores, sales and clerical staff in every sector. The Sector 6 column applies instead of the main column for Sector 6 establishments.
| Employee class | Minimum wage | Guaranteed increase | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per week | Per month | Per week | Per month | |
| Clerical — 1st year | R1,794.27 | R7,775.17 | R85.44 | R370.24 |
| Clerical — 2nd year | R2,047.31 | R8,871.68 | R97.49 | R422.46 |
| Clerical — 3rd year | R2,357.83 | R10,217.26 | R112.28 | R486.55 |
| Clerical — thereafter | R2,737.40 | R11,862.07 | R130.35 | R564.85 |
| Vehicle sales — 1st year | R2,164.89 | R9,381.19 | R103.09 | R446.72 |
| Vehicle sales — thereafter | R2,791.20 | R12,095.20 | R132.91 | R575.94 |
| Bookkeeper | R3,519.47 | R15,251.04 | R167.59 | R726.22 |
| Accountant | R5,987.21 | R25,944.58 | R285.11 | R1,235.48 |
| Parts salesperson — 1st year | R2,256.50 | R9,778.17 | R107.45 | R465.62 |
| Parts salesperson — thereafter | R2,771.90 | R12,011.57 | R132.00 | R572.00 |
| Traveller — 1st year | R2,265.81 | R9,818.51 | R107.90 | R467.57 |
| Traveller — thereafter | R2,771.90 | R12,011.57 | R132.00 | R572.00 |
| Supply sales — 1st year | R2,265.81 | R9,818.51 | R107.90 | R467.57 |
| Supply sales — 2nd year | R2,595.37 | R11,246.60 | R123.59 | R535.56 |
| Supply sales — 3rd year | R2,909.30 | R12,606.97 | R138.54 | R600.34 |
| Supply sales — thereafter | R3,122.21 | R13,529.58 | R148.68 | R644.28 |
| * No rate published for this cell in the schedule. “—” means no guaranteed increase is payable — see the notes below. | ||||
Source: Main Agreement, Division B & D — Wages
Part-time employees are paid one-eleventh of the minimum weekly clerical wage for each day of ordinary time worked, or one forty-fifth of it per hour, whichever is greater.
Guaranteed increases are payable to employees already earning above the prescribed minimum. They do not apply in Sector 6, where increases are based on minimum rates of pay only.
Office, clerical and sales staff — Sector 6 only
Sector 6 establishments apply this table to their office and sales staff instead of the Division B table above. The figures run a few rand higher. No guaranteed increase is published, because Sector 6 increases are based on minimum rates of pay only.
| Employee class | Per week | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Clerical — 1st year | R1,831.25 | R7,935.42 |
| Clerical — 2nd year | R2,086.22 | R9,040.29 |
| Clerical — 3rd year | R2,404.46 | R10,419.33 |
| Clerical — thereafter | R2,787.14 | R12,077.61 |
| Vehicle sales — 1st year | R2,164.89 | R9,381.19 |
| Vehicle sales — thereafter | R2,791.57 | R12,096.80 |
| Bookkeeper | R3,549.97 | R15,383.20 |
| Accountant | R6,066.35 | R26,287.52 |
| Parts salesperson — 1st year | R2,265.81 | R9,818.51 |
| Parts salesperson — thereafter | R2,771.90 | R12,011.57 |
| Traveller — 1st year | R2,265.81 | R9,818.51 |
| Traveller — thereafter | R2,771.90 | R12,011.57 |
| Supply sales — 1st year | R2,265.81 | R9,818.51 |
| Supply sales — 2nd year | R2,595.94 | R11,249.07 |
| Supply sales — 3rd year | R2,909.30 | R12,606.97 |
| Supply sales — thereafter | R3,122.21 | R13,529.58 |
Source: Main Agreement, Division B & D — Wages, Sector 6 column
Apprentices and learners — all chapters
Apprentices and learners increase by 3%, not 5%. From 1 September 2026 a first-year apprentice on a 3-year trade earns R46.07 per hour (R2,073.15 per week), and a third-year apprentice R70.23. These rates apply across every chapter and sector, including Sector 6.
Applies to: Apprentices and learners in all chapters and all sectors.
| Employee class | Minimum wage | Guaranteed increase | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per week | Per hour | Per week | Per hour | |
| 3-year trade — 1st year | R2,073.15 | R46.07 | — | — |
| 3-year trade — 2nd year | R2,570.85 | R57.13 | — | — |
| 3-year trade — 3rd year | R3,160.35 | R70.23 | — | — |
| 4-year trade — 1st year | R2,073.15 | R46.07 | — | — |
| 4-year trade — 2nd year | R2,273.85 | R50.53 | — | — |
| 4-year trade — 3rd year | R2,570.85 | R57.13 | — | — |
| 4-year trade — 4th year | R3,160.35 | R70.23 | — | — |
| NQF Learnership — Level 1 | R2,073.15 | R46.07 | — | — |
| NQF Learnership — Level 2 | R2,273.85 | R50.53 | — | — |
| NQF Learnership — Level 3 | R2,570.85 | R57.13 | — | — |
| NQF Learnership — Level 4 | R3,160.35 | R70.23 | — | — |
| CBMT — Level 1 | R1,976.85 | R43.93 | — | — |
| CBMT — Level 2 | R2,469.15 | R54.87 | — | — |
| CBMT — Level 3 | R2,968.20 | R65.96 | — | — |
| CBMT — Level 4 | R3,455.10 | R76.78 | — | — |
| * No rate published for this cell in the schedule. “—” means no guaranteed increase is payable — see the notes below. | ||||
Source: Main Agreement, Division C — Apprenticeship and learnership schedule
Provisions for operatives — Sector 3, Chapter IV
Operatives in Sector 3 (reconditioning and automotive engineering) have their own schedule. From 1 September 2026 an Operative Engine Assembler earns R55.69 per hour in the first 18 months and R83.32 thereafter, with guaranteed increases of R2.65 and R3.97 per hour.
Applies to: Operatives in Sector 3, Chapter IV — reconditioning establishments and automotive engineers.
| Employee class | Sector | Chapter | Minimum wage | Guaranteed increase | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per week | Per hour | Per week | Per hour | |||
| Operative Engine Assembler — 1st 18 months | 3 | 4 | R2,506.05 | R55.69 | R119.25 | R2.65 |
| Operative Engine Assembler — thereafter | 3 | 4 | R3,749.40 | R83.32 | R178.65 | R3.97 |
| Operative Grade A — 1st 18 months | 3 | 4 | R2,506.05 | R55.69 | R119.25 | R2.65 |
| Operative Grade A — thereafter | 3 | 4 | R3,010.05 | R66.89 | R143.55 | R3.19 |
| Operative Grade B — 1st 6 months | 3 | 4 | R2,057.85 | R45.73 | R98.10 | R2.18 |
| Operative Grade B — thereafter | 3 | 4 | R2,247.75 | R49.95 | R107.10 | R2.38 |
| * No rate published for this cell in the schedule. “—” means no guaranteed increase is payable — see the notes below. | ||||||
Source: Main Agreement, Division C, Chapter IV — Operative provisions
What bonuses does the MIBCO wage schedule prescribe?
Four weekly bonuses sit outside the wage tables and are easy to miss entirely. The setting bonus is R6.14 per week in Chapters II and V. Measuring instrument allowances in Chapter III are R17.09 for a vernier or micrometer and R11.39 for tape, ruler, square or sets. The Chapter V measuring bonus is R12.27.
| Bonus | Applies to | Per week |
|---|---|---|
| Setting bonus | Chapters II and V | R6.14 |
| Measuring instrument — vernier / micrometer | Chapter III | R17.09 |
| Measuring instrument — tape / ruler / square / sets | Chapter III | R11.39 |
| Measuring bonus | Chapter V | R12.27 |
Source: Main Agreement, Division C — Bonuses
These figures are published as a compliance reference and are transcribed from the gazetted Main Collective Agreement (22 December 2025 to 31 August 2028). They are not a substitute for the Agreement itself. Where a figure here and the gazetted Agreement differ, the Agreement governs.
Reading The Tables Is The Easy Part.
Applying them is where employers get caught — guaranteed increases on staff already above the minimum, Sector 6's exemption from that rule, apprentices on 3% while the workshop floor moves 5%. Two days, and the person who runs your payroll stops guessing.
Wage Schedule Errors
Cost You Dearly.
Every September, MIBCO gazettes new wage schedules. If your payroll system or accountant isn't intimately familiar with the Main Collective Agreement, you will make mistakes.
A miscalculated rate per hour on a single petrol attendant or mechanic can compound over months into a massive back-pay claim at the DRC.
Common Wage Traps
Sector Confusion
Applying Sector 6 rates to Sector 5 employees.
Delayed Implementation
Failing to apply September increases until October or November.
Actual vs Minimum
Applying guaranteed increases incorrectly to employees earning above the minimum.
Wage Schedule Questions, Answered
What is the MIBCO wage increase from 1 September 2026?
It is not a single percentage. From 1 September 2026 most of the motor industry increases by 5%, apprentices and learners by 3%, and Sector 5 cashiers and chars by 4%. Sector 1 Chapter III increases by 5% but on actual rates of pay rather than minimum rates.
How often do MIBCO wage schedules change?
MIBCO wage schedules are updated annually in September, governed by the Main Collective Agreement. The current agreement runs from 22 December 2025 to 31 August 2028, so the 1 September 2026 rates are already gazetted and binding.
Do I owe an increase to employees already paid above the MIBCO minimum?
Yes, in most sectors. Division D sets guaranteed wage increases payable to employees already earning above the prescribed minimum, in addition to the minimum wage tables. The exception is Sector 6, where increases are based on minimum rates of pay only.
What happens if I underpay employees according to the wage schedule?
Underpaying employees below the gazetted MIBCO wage schedule can result in a DRC (Dispute Resolution Centre) summons, back-pay orders for up to 3 years, and severe penalties.
Does the wage schedule apply to all sectors in the motor industry?
Yes, but rates differ significantly by sector. For example, Sector 5 (Fuel Retailers) has different minimum rates compared to Sector 2 (Body Builders) or Sector 6 (Dealerships).
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