When families first start looking into hiring a helper, the number they fixate on is the monthly salary. She earns $650 a month, you think. That's manageable. What they discover a few months in, sometimes with a genuine shock, is that the salary is roughly half the actual monthly cost. Sometimes less.
This isn't anyone being deceptive. It's just that the full cost structure of employing a foreign domestic worker in Singapore is spread across several categories, and nobody hands you a complete summary upfront. So here it is.
The monthly costs that don't show up in the salary figure
The Foreign Domestic Worker Levy is paid directly to MOM every month. For most households, that's $300. It's not optional, it's not negotiable, and it's charged from the day her work permit is issued. On top of her $650 salary, you're already at $950 before anything else.
Food and living expenses, three meals a day, toiletries, basic personal items, typically run $250 to $300 a month. Add those up and your $650 helper is costing you roughly $1,200 to $1,250 a month before a single unexpected expense arises.
Do I qualify for the $60 concessionary levy?
Possibly, and if you do, it makes a meaningful difference. The concessionary levy rate is $60 per month instead of $300, a saving of $240 monthly or nearly $3,000 a year. You qualify if your household includes a child under 16, an elderly person aged 67 or above, or a person with a disability. Apply through MOM's eService portal.
The one-time costs you need to budget for upfront
The maid agency fee, if you use one, is typically $500 to $2,000. The security bond is $5,000 for non-Malaysian helpers, though most arrange this through a bank guarantee costing around $50 to $100 a year. Maid insurance costs roughly $238 to $450 per year. The Work Permit application fee is $35, issuance is another $35. The Settling-In Programme for first-time helpers is $75. Medical examination is $60 to $100. Airfare adds another $200 to $500 if applicable.
All in, first-time hiring costs before she even starts can run $3,000 to $5,000 depending on the agency fee and other variables.
Is a transfer helper worth the higher salary?
Transfer helpers typically command $680 to $720 versus $550 to $580 for a fresh helper. The case for paying more: she arrives ready to work, knows Singapore, and the adjustment period is significantly shorter. The case for going fresh: lower salary, longer tenure potential, and the ability to train her exactly the way you want. There's no universally correct answer, it depends on your household's urgency.
Will costs keep creeping up?
Realistically, yes, modestly. Most helpers receive a salary increment after their first two-year contract, typically $30 to $80. Plan for a modest annual increase of roughly 3 to 5% in total costs over time, and you won't be caught off guard.
Browse helpers across all salary ranges and experience levels on Searchmaid.com.sg and find the right fit for your household and your budget.
