The number of people employed increased from an estimated 8.5 million in March 2014 to about 8.6m in June 2014, according to a Statistics SA report released on Monday.

"This reflected a quarterly increase of about 155,000 employees (1.8 percent) between March 2014 and June 2014 and an annual increase of 229,000 employees (2.7 percent) between June 2013 and June 2014," according to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES).

"Gross earnings increased between the quarters ended March 2014 and June 2014."

The QES was conducted in all sectors, excluding agriculture.

Gross earnings paid to employees for the quarter that ended in June were R409 billion.

Average monthly earnings, including bonuses and overtime payments, paid to employees increased by three percent between February 2014 and May 2014.

"The June 2014 QES survey showed that an estimated monthly average of R15,169 was paid to employees... during May 2014," said Stats SA.

"This reflected an annual increase of 4.6 percent between May 2013 and May 2014."