Maid Salary in Singapore (2026): A Full Guide by Nationality and Experience

maid-salary-in-singapore-2026-a-full-guide-by-nationality-and-experience
At a Glance
  1. Singapore sets no minimum salary for migrant domestic workers (MOM).
  2. Fresh Filipino helper: at least S$650/month (Philippine minimum, new contracts from 21 Oct 2025).
  3. Indicative fresh salaries, 2026: Indonesian from S$550, Myanmar from S$500, Sri Lankan from S$450.
  4. Experienced or transfer helpers usually ask S$100 to S$200 more per month.
  5. Salary is due within 7 days after the end of each salary period.
  6. Rest day worked = monthly salary ÷ 26 per day.

Friends,

The first question every new employer asks me is "how much ah?"
Fair enough.
The salary is the biggest line in your monthly budget, and the answer depends mostly on two things: where your helper comes from, and whether she has worked before.
Here are the 2026 numbers, with the sources, so you can budget without surprises.

How much is a maid's salary in Singapore in 2026?

Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.

Nationality Fresh (S$/month) Experienced or transfer (S$/month) What sets the floor
Filipino 650 (minimum) From 750 Philippine DMW rule
Indonesian From 550 From 600 Market rate (indicative)
Myanmar From 500 From 600 Market rate (indicative)
Sri Lankan From 450 From 550 (up to about 900) Market rate (indicative)
Indian Ask your agency Ask your agency Little public data

Indicative figures as of October 2026, from SearchMaid agency rate cards and nationality guides. The Filipino figure is a Philippine government minimum. All other figures are market starting points, so confirm the live rate with your agency.

Is there a minimum salary for maids in Singapore?

Singapore side: no minimum
MOM's answer to "is there a prescribed minimum wage for migrant workers?" is simply "No." You and your helper agree the salary, and you declare it to MOM. You must then pay at least the declared amount. MOM FAQ
Home-country side: Philippines sets a floor
Under DMW Advisory No. 25-2025, the minimum for Filipino household workers is S$650 in Singapore. The Migrant Workers Office in Singapore applies it as S$650 for new contracts processed on or after 21 October 2025, and for renewals of vacationing or returning workers from that date.

Why do Filipino, Indonesian and Myanmar maid salaries differ?

  • Filipino: the only floor in this table set by a government, so S$650 is the true minimum. Helpers with caregiving certificates or Singapore experience ask more. Filipino maid agencies
  • Indonesian: fresh helpers usually start at S$550 to S$600, experienced helpers S$600 to S$800 (SearchMaid guide, 2026). Indonesian maid agencies
  • Myanmar: fresh helpers usually start around S$500; experienced or transfer helpers ask S$600 to S$800 depending on skills and job scope. Myanmar maid agencies
  • Sri Lankan: fresh helpers start around S$450; transfers from about S$550, rising to roughly S$900 for stronger candidates. Sri Lankan maid agencies
  • Indian: a small pool with thin public salary data. Get a written quote from the agency before you budget. Indian maid agencies

How much more does an experienced or transfer maid cost?

Base
Fresh helper
New to Singapore. Lowest salary in her band. Plan for a few weeks of training at home.
+S$100-200
Experienced helper
Has worked as a helper before, here or overseas. Shorter settling-in.
Similar
Transfer helper
Already in Singapore. Priced like an experienced helper, negotiated from her last contract. No overseas airfare.

When must I pay my maid's salary, and how do I calculate rest-day pay?

  • Pay every month, no later than 7 days after the last day of the salary period. MOM salary guidelines
  • Pay the full amount declared to MOM, never less.
  • She gets 1 rest day a week. She may agree to work some of them for pay, but at least 1 rest day a month cannot be compensated away.
  • Each rest day worked = monthly salary ÷ 26. MOM FAQ

Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.

Monthly salary One day (÷ 26) 2 rest days worked Total that month
S$650 S$25 S$50 S$700
S$520 S$20 S$40 S$560

The S$650 row follows MOM's own worked example. For payment methods and records, see how should I pay my maid's salary.

What else do I pay on top of my maid's salary each month?

Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.

Item Amount Note
Levy (standard) S$300/month Paid by you to MOM
Levy (concession) S$60/month E.g. Singapore citizen child below 16, or elderly 67+ in the household. Check criteria
Second helper levy S$450/month Standard rate
Security bond S$5,000 One-off; usually covered by insurance
Food and upkeep Varies Meals, EZ-Link, toiletries

Levy and concession figures from MOM, checked October 2026. The levy is your cost and must never be deducted from her salary.

Do I have to give my maid a pay rise when I renew her contract?

  • No Singapore rule requires an increment. Most employers still give one after a good two-year contract.
  • Declare any new salary to MOM at renewal, and pay it from the new contract start date.
  • For a Filipino helper renewing after 21 October 2025, check the new S$650 floor applies to her contract.
  • Do not deploy her to work outside your home address. Illegal deployment can mean a fine of up to S$10,000.
Compare helpers that fit your budget

Filter by nationality, experience and transfer status across MOM-licensed agencies. You can check any agency in the MOM EA Directory.

Browse Searchmaid

Ray

P.S. The ÷ 26 maths looks simple until you try it at the end of a long month.
Use your phone calculator... and write the amount on her salary slip so you both see the same number.

Frequently Asked Questions

A domestic helper in Singapore typically earns SGD 450 to SGD 900 or more per month in 2026, depending on nationality and experience. Fresh helpers start lower, around SGD 450 to 650 depending on nationality, while experienced and transfer helpers earn more. Salary is agreed between the employer and helper and declared to MOM.

Singapore sets no statutory minimum salary for domestic helpers. Pay is agreed between the employer and helper and declared to MOM. However, the helper's home country may set a floor. The Philippines' DMW mandates a minimum of USD 500, about SGD 650 per month, for Filipino helpers deployed overseas.

A Filipino helper typically earns from around SGD 650 per month in 2026, reflecting the Philippines DMW minimum of USD 500. Experienced Filipino helpers often earn SGD 750 to 900 or more, partly because English fluency commands a premium among Singapore families.

A fresh Indonesian helper typically starts from SGD 550 to 600 per month in 2026, while experienced or transfer Indonesian helpers commonly earn from SGD 600 to 800. Indonesia is one of the most common nationalities hired by Singapore households, so availability is generally good.

No. Singapore does not legally require a salary increment. Raising pay after the two-year contract is common, fair market practice, typically a modest monthly increase on renewal or when a helper takes on more responsibility. Any new salary must be agreed and re-declared to MOM at the time of work permit renewal.

Beyond salary of SGD 450 to 900 or more, budget the monthly levy of SGD 300 at the standard rate, or SGD 60 with the concessionary rate, plus around SGD 270 to 400 for food and daily upkeep. All in, most households spend roughly SGD 1,000 to 1,300 per month at the standard levy rate. 

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