Cost of Hiring a Maid in Singapore: Full 2026 Breakdown

By Ray, SearchMaid Partner. Updated July 2026

The cost of hiring a maid in Singapore is higher in year one than most first-time employers expect, and more manageable after that once the one-time setup costs are paid. The monthly running cost for most households falls between SGD 950 and 1,550, covering salary, the government levy, insurance, and food and daily upkeep. Bringing a new overseas helper costs another SGD 4,000 to 8,000 upfront once the agency fee, security bond insurance, medical exam, Settling-In Programme, and airfare are added up. A transfer maid already in Singapore costs SGD 2,000 to 4,000 upfront. Combined, a realistic first-year total for a new overseas hire runs SGD 14,000 to 22,000. This guide breaks every line down in plain SGD so you know the real number before you commit.

How much does it cost to hire a maid in Singapore? (the short answer)

The monthly running cost is typically SGD 950 to 1,550, covering salary of SGD 500 to 800 depending on nationality and experience, the monthly levy of SGD 300 at the standard rate or SGD 60 with the concession, mandatory insurance, and food and daily upkeep.

The upfront cost for a new overseas hire is typically SGD 4,000 to 8,000, covering the agency fee, security bond insurance, medical exam, Settling-In Programme, and airfare; a transfer maid already in Singapore costs SGD 2,000 to 4,000 with no airfare to pay.

The honest first-year total for a new overseas hire at standard levy is roughly SGD 14,000 to 22,000 all in, dropping to around SGD 11,000 to 16,000 for a levy-concession household. A transfer maid saves on the upfront side (no airfare and often a lower agency fee), though the first-year total depends on the salary you agree.

Monthly maid salary in Singapore (2026)

Salary is the largest recurring line in the monthly budget. There is no single Singapore-wide minimum wage for migrant domestic workers. The figure is agreed directly between you and the helper, but source countries set floors that shape what employers pay in practice.

Salary by nationality

The table below shows 2026 starting salary bands by nationality. Fresh means new to Singapore. Experienced or transfer means she has prior Singapore or overseas domestic work history.

For a full cost and hiring breakdown by nationality, see the guides to hiring a Filipino maid agency in Singapore, Myanmar maid agency, and Indonesian maid agency.

The minimum salary rule (DMW / source-country floors)

The Philippines sets the clearest floor. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) mandates a minimum deployment salary for Filipino helpers at around SGD 650 per month as of 2026. This applies regardless of the agency or hiring arrangement and cannot be negotiated below.

Indonesia and Myanmar both set their own embassy minimums, which inform the starting bands above. In practice, fresh Indonesian helpers start from SGD 550 and fresh Myanmar helpers from SGD 500. Sri Lanka has no government-mandated floor, so the market rate applies, with fresh helpers typically starting from SGD 450.

Salary for experienced and transfer maids

An experienced helper with a strong work history in Singapore or abroad typically earns SGD 100 to 200 more per month than the fresh starting band for her nationality. A transfer helper already in Singapore may negotiate a higher rate still, since her local track record is verifiable and a new employer can meet her in person before committing.

For budgeting purposes, use the experienced band if you are open to a transfer, and the fresh band if you are hiring from overseas for the first time.

The monthly maid levy (and who pays SGD 60 instead of SGD 300)

On top of salary, every employer pays the Foreign Domestic Worker levy directly to the Ministry of Manpower each month. This is not deducted from the helper's salary. It is a government charge on the employer and it runs for every month the work permit is active.

Standard levy vs concessionary levy

The monthly maid levy is SGD 300 at the standard rate, or SGD 60 under the concessionary rate if your household qualifies.

Who qualifies for the SGD 60 concession

You qualify for the SGD 60 levy concession if your household has at least one of the following:

•        A child aged 16 or below

•        A family member aged 67 or older

•        A family member with disabilities

The concession is worth SGD 240 per month, or SGD 2,880 over a full year. If you are close to qualifying, check before assuming the standard rate applies. Many families with young children or elderly parents already qualify and are not aware of it until the agency raises it.

Second-helper levy

If you employ a second helper, the levy for the second helper is SGD 450 per month at the standard rate. The concession can still apply to one helper in the household if you qualify.

For a full guide on how the levy is calculated, paid, and what happens when your concession eligibility changes, see the maid levy guide.

One-time and upfront costs

The monthly salary and levy are straightforward to plan around. The one-time costs are where the larger amounts tend to fall, and where first-time employers are often caught short. Each item is broken out below with a 2026 SGD figure.

Agency placement fee

A maid agency charges a one-time placement fee to source, vet, and process your helper. The amount varies by nationality and what the fee covers.

Filipino placement fees run SGD 1,000 to 2,000, sitting at the higher end because Filipino helpers cannot be charged placement-fee loans under Philippine government rules, so that cost sits with the employer. Indonesian, Myanmar, and Sri Lankan fees more commonly fall in the SGD 800 to 1,500 range.

Always ask for a written breakdown of what the fee covers before signing. A complete agency fee includes the work permit application, insurance arrangement, medical exam coordination, Settling-In Programme, and usually airfare. A fee that looks low but leaves these items out often costs more in total.

Security bond (or bond-waiver insurance)

MOM requires a SGD 5,000 security bond for every non-Malaysian helper. Almost no employer pays this in cash. The standard approach is to buy a bond-waiver insurance product, which covers the SGD 5,000 obligation for a small annual premium of around SGD 60 to 80, usually bundled with the mandatory maid insurance.

For a full walkthrough of how the security bond works and how to apply, see the security bond guide.

Maid insurance (medical + personal accident)

MOM mandates medical insurance and personal accident insurance for every helper before she starts work. Combined mandatory maid insurance runs approximately SGD 200 to 400 per year depending on the policy and insurer.

This is not optional and is separate from the security bond, though both are often arranged together. Do not buy the cheapest policy without checking it meets MOM's minimum coverage sums. For a full breakdown of what each policy must cover, see the maid insurance guide.

Medical examination and Settling-In Programme

Every helper must complete a medical examination within 14 days of arriving in Singapore. This costs approximately SGD 80 to 100 and screens for infectious diseases and fitness to work. The agency arranges this.

First-time helpers must attend the Settling-In Programme (SIP) within three working days of arrival. This is a one-day orientation covering safety, employment rights, and emergency contacts. It costs SGD 75 and is mandatory.

Airfare and arrival costs

For a helper coming from overseas, airfare is part of the upfront cost. Budget SGD 350 to 700 depending on the source country, with the Philippines at the higher end. Most agency fees either include airfare or list it as a separate line. A transfer maid already in Singapore has no airfare cost.

The work permit costs SGD 35 to apply and SGD 35 to issue, totalling SGD 70.

Summary: one-time upfront costs

First-year total: a realistic budget

Year one is always the most expensive because the one-time setup costs sit on top of twelve months of running costs. The three scenarios below use vetted 2026 figures and show how the total shifts depending on hire type and levy rate.

Scenario 1: new overseas hire (standard levy)

Fresh Indonesian helper at SGD 550 per month. Standard levy of SGD 300. No concession.

Scenario 2: transfer maid (already in Singapore)

Myanmar transfer maid at SGD 650 per month, already in Singapore. No airfare. SIP already completed. Standard levy of SGD 300.

The higher salary is partly offset by the absence of airfare and the lower agency fee typical of transfer placements. No SIP cost applies since she has already completed it.

Scenario 3: levy-concession household (SGD 60 levy)

Same fresh Indonesian helper at SGD 550 per month. Household has a child under 16 and qualifies for the SGD 60 concessionary levy.

The levy concession saves SGD 2,880 over the year compared to Scenario 1. For a household that qualifies, checking eligibility before budgeting is worth the few minutes it takes.

Ongoing yearly costs after year one

Once the one-time setup costs are paid, the annual spend settles into a steadier pattern. For most households, year two onward runs approximately SGD 11,000 to 17,000 per year, depending on salary, levy rate, and contract terms.

The recurring annual items are:

•        Salary: SGD 6,000 to 9,600 (SGD 500 to 800 per month across 12 months)

•        Levy: SGD 720 to 3,600 (SGD 60 or SGD 300 per month)

•        Maid insurance renewal: SGD 200 to 400

•        Security bond renewal: SGD 60 to 80

•        Medical exams: SGD 160 (two six-monthly checks at around SGD 80 each)

•        Food and daily upkeep: SGD 3,600 to 6,000 (SGD 300 to 500 per month)

Two items that employers regularly overlook: the levy runs for every month the work permit is active, including months when you travel and the helper remains at home. And at the end of the contract, the employer is responsible for the helper's return airfare. Budget SGD 350 to 700 for this as the contract end date approaches.

How to keep the cost down (honestly)

•        Consider a transfer maid. A helper already in Singapore means no airfare and often a lower agency fee. Her employment history is checkable and she can start within weeks rather than months. The salary is usually higher, but the lower upfront cost often closes that gap over year one.

•        Check your levy concession eligibility. A child under 16, a parent or in-law aged 67 or older, or a family member with disabilities in the household all qualify you for the SGD 60 levy. That is SGD 2,880 saved every year compared to the standard rate. Many families qualify and do not apply.

•        Compare agency fees, but do not go to the cheapest without checking. A difference of SGD 300 to 500 on placement fees is worth comparing across two or three agencies. An unusually low fee usually means some items are excluded and billed separately later, or the candidate vetting is lighter. Ask for a written breakdown of what the fee covers before you decide.

•        Do not cut corners on insurance. MOM's minimum insurance requirements are not optional. A policy that costs less but falls below those minimums is non-compliant. The difference between a bare-minimum policy and a proper one is often less than SGD 100 per year.

Find a vetted maid agency on SearchMaid

Now that you have the real numbers, the next step is finding an agency that matches your budget, nationality preference, and timeline.

SearchMaid brings over 2,000 helper profiles from more than 100 MOM-licensed agencies into one place. Filter by nationality, experience, transfer status, and salary range, then deal directly with the agency that has the right helper for your home. Every agency listed holds a valid Employment Agency licence from MOM. Verify any agency at MOM EA website before reaching out.

Browse available helpers and compare agencies on SearchMaid.

About the author: Ray is a partner at SearchMaid, Singapore's maid-hiring platform connecting employers with over 100 MOM-licensed agencies. The figures in this guide are compiled from these licensed agencies' current rate cards and official MOM and DMW sources, reviewed as of July 2026.