Petrol Attendant Salary in South Africa (2026): Per Hour, Week and Month
Petrol attendants in South Africa are paid according to a minimum wage set by the Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO), and it went up on 2 September 2026. This guide shows the new rates per hour, week and month, how overtime, Sunday and public holiday pay work, what attendants report earning in tips, and how to get a forecourt job.
Key takeaways
- From 2 September 2026 to 31 August 2027, the minimum wage for a forecourt (petrol) attendant is R48.08 an hour, or R2,163.60 for a 45-hour week.
- That works out to roughly R9,376 a month before deductions. MIBCO publishes weekly rates, so the monthly figure is an estimate.
- Attendants also get a medical insurance allowance of R20.77 a week (R90 a month), regardless of hours worked.
- Overtime, Sunday shifts and public holidays pay more: 1.5 times or double the hourly rate.
- The same minimum applies at every brand, whether Engen, Shell, Sasol, BP, TotalEnergies or Astron. Stations may pay more, but not less.
In this guide
- How much does a petrol attendant earn in 2026?
- The 2026 increase: what changed on 2 September
- Do Engen, Shell, Sasol or Astron pay more?
- Overtime, Sunday and public holiday pay
- Tips: what attendants report
- How it compares with the national minimum wage
- How to get a petrol attendant job
- Frequently asked questions
1How much does a petrol attendant earn in 2026?
Petrol stations fall under Sector 5 of the motor industry, and MIBCO sets the minimum wages that stations must pay. These are the minimums for the period 2 September 2026 to 31 August 2027 (MIBCO Circular 2026/00045):
| Job | Per hour | Per week (45 hours) | Per month (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forecourt (petrol) attendant | R48.08 | R2,163.60 | about R9,376 |
| Forecourt cashier | R47.11 | R2,119.95 | about R9,186 |
The monthly estimate uses the weekly wage times 52 weeks, divided by 12 months. Some websites simply multiply the weekly wage by 4, which gives a lower figure (about R8,654). Your actual pay depends on how many hours you work and on deductions such as UIF.
These are minimum rates. Employers may pay more, and attendants who already earned above the minimum were due a guaranteed increase of at least R1.85 an hour (R83.25 a week).
2The 2026 increase: what changed on 2 September
Petrol attendant wages usually go up once a year, around September. The latest increase raised the minimum by about 5%:
| Period | Per hour | Per week |
|---|---|---|
| 1 October 2025 to 1 September 2026 | R45.79 | R2,060.55 |
| 2 September 2026 to 31 August 2027 | R48.08 | R2,163.60 |
Many websites still quote the old R45.79 rate. If your payslip from September 2026 onwards still shows less than R48.08 an hour, ask your manager about it first. You can also contact your nearest MIBCO regional office.
3Do Engen, Shell, Sasol, BP, TotalEnergies or Astron pay more?
The brand on the sign does not set your pay. Many petrol stations are run by independent dealers or franchise owners, and they employ the attendants. Every station in Sector 5 has to pay at least the MIBCO minimum, whichever fuel brand it sells.
Some stations pay above the minimum, especially busy sites, or offer extra hours and incentives. The only way to know is to ask the station when you apply.
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Fuel dispensing, vehicle checks, forecourt housekeeping, payments, customer service and shift reporting, with a quiz after every chapter.
4Overtime, Sunday and public holiday pay
The normal working week is 45 hours. Extra hours and certain days pay more under the MIBCO Main Agreement. At the 2026 minimum of R48.08 an hour:
| When you work | Minimum rate | Per hour at the 2026 minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Overtime between 06:00 and 23:00 | 1.5 times your hourly wage | R72.12 |
| Overtime between 23:00 and 06:00 | Double your hourly wage | R96.16 |
| Normal shift on a Sunday | 1.5 times your hourly wage, double for hours after the shift | R72.12 |
| Working on a public holiday | Double your hourly wage | R96.16 |
Overtime only starts once you have worked your 45 ordinary hours for the week. Forecourt attendants do not get a separate day off in exchange for a normal Sunday shift; the higher rate is the reward.
5Tips: what attendants report
Tips are a welcome extra, but they are not guaranteed and they vary a lot by area and station. Here is what has been reported:
- In a 2026 BusinessTech reader poll of 4,201 people, 43% said they don’t tip petrol attendants, 21% tip R5, 22% tip R10, 8% tip R20 and 4% tip more than R20.
- BusinessTech also reported that attendants on Glassdoor said they earn roughly R750 a month in tips (BusinessTech, March 2026).
Never count on tips to cover your basic costs. Your MIBCO wage is the income you can rely on.
6How it compares with the national minimum wage
South Africa’s national minimum wage is R30.23 an hour from 1 March 2026. The MIBCO minimum for petrol attendants, R48.08 an hour, is about 59% higher. This is because petrol stations fall under the motor industry bargaining council, which negotiates its own, higher wages.
7How to get a petrol attendant job
Petrol attendant jobs are usually filled by the individual station, not by the fuel company’s head office. To find work:
- Ask at stations near you. Go in person with a printed CV and ask for the manager.
- Check job boards and SAYouth. SAYouth (sayouth.mobi) is free and lists entry-level jobs near you.
- Show you understand the job. Safety, customer service and accuracy with payments matter most to station managers.
For requirements, duties and a step-by-step plan, read our Petrol Attendant Course and Job Guide.
?Frequently asked questions
How much does a petrol attendant earn per month in South Africa?
From 2 September 2026 the minimum is R2,163.60 for a 45-hour week, which is roughly R9,376 a month before deductions. Attendants also get a medical insurance allowance of R90 a month. Overtime, Sundays and tips can add to this.
What is the petrol attendant salary per hour in 2026?
The MIBCO minimum is R48.08 an hour from 2 September 2026 to 31 August 2027. Before that it was R45.79 an hour.
Did petrol attendants get an increase in 2026?
Yes. On 2 September 2026 the minimum rose from R45.79 to R48.08 an hour, an increase of about 5%. Attendants already earning above the minimum were due at least R1.85 an hour more.
How much does a petrol attendant earn at Engen, Shell, Sasol or Astron?
All brands are covered by the same MIBCO minimum of R48.08 an hour. Each station owner sets the actual pay, and some pay above the minimum.
Do petrol attendants get paid more on Sundays and public holidays?
Yes. A normal Sunday shift is paid at least 1.5 times the hourly wage, and work on a public holiday is paid at double the hourly wage.
How much do petrol attendants make in tips?
Tips vary a lot. BusinessTech reported that attendants on Glassdoor said they earn roughly R750 a month in tips, while 43% of people in its 2026 reader poll said they don’t tip.
Do I need a certificate to become a petrol attendant?
Not always. Many stations train new attendants on the job. A course certificate shows a station manager you already understand forecourt safety, fuelling and customer service, which can help your application stand out.
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Learn fuelling, vehicle checks, safety, payments and shift procedures on your phone, and finish with a certificate for your CV.
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